Last updated on March 3rd, 2026
This guide covers everything you need to know for your trip to Two Medicine, including the best things to do, when to visit, how to get there, permits, and more!
After visiting Glacier National Park in 2020 for the first time, it immediately became our favorite national park in the lower 48! Five years and many parks later, it still holds that title.
However, our first trip was a bit limited. Between closures due to COVID and bears, we were restricted on what we could see and do. So in summer 2025, we headed back to experience more of the park. But this time, we explored the southeastern corner of the park called Two Medicine.
This region gets its name from a Blackfeet term that translates to “Place of Two Medicine Lodges,” which were sacred ceremonial spaces. And it’s one of only a few areas that does not require a reservation to visit, which is a huge plus!
While you won’t find active glaciers here, you will find incredibly clear lakes, including its namesake, Two Medicine, dramatic peaks, waterfalls, and lots of wildlife (we saw dozens of sheep!). All of this is without the big crowds that other areas of the park have.
In this guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know before visiting Two Medicine, including the best things to do, when to go, how to get there, permits, our favorite stops and hikes, plus a few we’re saving for next time!
If you want to see exactly how we spent three dreamy days here, watch our Two Medicine video on YouTube!
Looking for more Glacier National Park Resources?
- 40+ Fun Things to Do in Glacier National Park
- The 33 BEST Hikes in Glacier National Park
- How to hike Glacier National Park’s Pitamakan-Dawson Loop
- The Perfect 3 Day Glacier National Park Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
- The Ultimate 4 Day Glacier National Park Itinerary
- 5 Day Glacier National Park Itinerary: Explore the BEST areas of the park!
- Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park (The Best Stops!)
- How to hike the EPIC Highline Trail in Glacier National Park
About Two Medicine at Glacier National Park
Two Medicine is a smaller district on Glacier’s southeast side, with just about everything revolving around its namesake, Two Medicine Lake. This crystal clear lake stretches roughly 2 miles in length, a third of a mile at its widest point, and covers 432 acres. It’s every bit as scenic as you’d imagine and is known for excellent brook and rainbow trout fishing.
Long before visitors ever came here to hike or take in the views, this area was (and still is) sacred ground for several Native American tribes, especially the Blackfeet Nation. The name “Two Medicine” is believed to come from Blackfeet traditions, possibly referring to two separate medicine ceremonies or sun dance lodges.
In the early 1900s, the Great Northern Railway saw the potential for tourism here and built a beautiful Swiss-style Two Medicine Chalet right by the lake. By 1914, visitors could roll in by train, check into the chalet, and spend their days picnicking by the water, cruising to trailheads, or hopping on red buses for a guided tour into the mountains. Back then, this was the vacation hub of Glacier.
Things changed in 1932 when the Going-to-the-Sun Road was completed. The new scenic route drew most visitors through the center of the park, and Two Medicine’s popularity started to fade. Over time, the Great Northern Railway dismantled the chalet complex, and most of the buildings were either torn down or moved.
Today, the original dining hall survives as the Two Medicine Store, a National Historic Landmark where you can grab snacks and souvenirs. The Glacier Park Boat Company also still runs wooden boat tours across the lake and is still one of the best ways to experience this corner of the park.
Want to Learn More as you explore?
We highly suggest downloading the Guide Along – Glacier (totally worth the cost!!) audio tours to navigate you on the road. Even when you don’t have service it knows where you are and provides commentary and history about the area. As well as alerts you when to stop for specific sights. These guides are fun to listen to and the narrator feels like a fun friend in the car with you!
Best Things to do in Two Medicine at Glacier National Park
1. Watch the sunrise at Two Medicine Lake
One of the best things to do in Two Medicine Glacier National Park is to catch the sunrise at Two Medicine Lake. If you only have time for one activity, make it this! Arrive about 30 minutes before the sun comes up to watch Sinopah Mountain and Rising Wolf Mountain glow in soft pinks. (We loved it so much we went back twice!). Easy spots to enjoy the view are right by the boat dock near the Two Medicine Store or along the campground shoreline.
2. Hop on the Two Medicine Scenic Boat Cruise
This is one of the most classic experiences you can have in this part of the park. The Glacier Park Boat Company operates a gorgeous historic wooden boat tour that is almost 100 years old, called the Sinopah. Tours often sell out, so it’s best to book your tickets in advance before you get to the park.
The entire tour is about 45 minutes and is a fantastic way to learn about the history and geology of the area. The guides share stories about the Blackfeet Nation and the early days of the Great Northern Railway.
The boat also acts as a shuttle to the far side of the lake, cutting about 3 miles (one way!) off the hike to the west end. We used it for our hike up to the Pitamakan–Dawson Loop, and it saved us so much time. But it’s also perfect for popular hikes like Twin Falls or Upper Two Medicine Lake.
You can ride round-trip for $20.25 per adult, or they offer one-way return tickets for $10.10 for those who want to hike out and ride the boat back. Just make sure to get your one-way ticket in advance, as you cannot buy them at the boat dock.
A+K Tip: We highly, highly recommend booking your tickets online in advance! They sell out super fast, especially during the summer, so don’t wait until you get there.
3. Paddle Two Medicine Lake
While the boat cruise is a blast, another great thing you can do at Two Medicine in Glacier National Park is rent a rowboat, kayak, or canoe right from the dock! The Glacier Park Boat Company offers rentals that are $18.50 an hour, which is a great way to paddle around the lake.
If you have your own watercraft, you’re welcome to bring it! Just swing by one of the park’s inspection stations first (they’re quick and free), which helps protect Glacier’s pristine waters from invasive species.
4. Running Eagle Falls
Distance (round trip): 0.7 miles
Elevation gain: 29 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Map & Current Conditions
For an easy hike, Running Eagle Falls is one of the best things to do in the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park. Just a little bit past the entrance station, you’ll find the parking lot for the Running Eagle Falls trail. It’s a super short, flat, and mostly paved loop hike that is only 0.7 miles. The best part is the waterfall itself, which is also known as “Trick Falls.”
During periods of low water (which is most of the summer), the Two Medicine Creek flows almost to the edge and then disappears into a hole in the rocks, tumbling down through a cave before spilling out the front. During high water, some of the water flows right over that hole and falls over the top edge, creating a much more traditional waterfall.
5. Paradise Point
Distance (round trip): 1.4 miles
Elevation gain: 154 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Map & Current Conditions
If you’re looking for an easy trail with big rewards, Paradise Point is one of the best hikes in Two Medicine Glacier National Park. This trail follows the lakeshore to a little peninsula with great views of the mountains. Start from the South Shore Trailhead near the boat dock and follow the signed spur to a rocky beach with postcard views of Rising Wolf Mountain, Painted Tepee Peak, and Sinopah Mountain.
6. Aster Falls
Distance (round trip): 2.6 miles
Elevation gain: 213 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Map & Current Conditions
This is one of the easier hikes in the Two Medicine area, but it’s still packed with scenery. The trail takes you through the forest and past beaver ponds before ending at a gorgeous 20-foot waterfall tucked into the trees. It’s short enough to pair with other hikes nearby, like Paradise Point or Twin Falls, but you can also make it longer by continuing up to Aster Park Overlook for sweeping lake views or even farther to Rockwell Falls.
7. Scenic Point
Distance (round trip): 7.7 miles
Elevation gain: 2,365 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Map & Current Conditions
Scenic Point is the best “shorter” hike in Two Medicine, though at 7.7 miles round trip with 2,350 feet of gain, it’s still a serious climb! At the summit, you can see the Two Medicine Valley, Lower Two Medicine Lake, and even out onto the plains.
We saw two dozen bighorn sheep along the way (including babies!), and wildlife sightings here are pretty common. Because of its exposure, this hike can be really windy (and sometimes chilly), even in the summer.
8. No Name Lake
Distance (round trip): 9.7 miles
Elevation gain: 1,305 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map & Current Conditions
No Name Lake is a stunning lake tucked beneath the cliffs of Pumpelly Pillar and Mt. Helen, sitting almost 6,000 feet above the Two Medicine basin! You can hike to it from the North Shore Trailhead, but if you take the shuttle boat across Two Medicine Lake, you’ll shave about 4 miles off the round trip.
This trail offers plenty of variety along the way, with forested stretches, big mountain views, and the chance to spot wildlife like moose or sheep. When you reach the lake, you’ll find a small shoreline and the option to camp if you snag a site at the backcountry campground.
9. Upper Two Medicine Lake
Distance (round trip): 11.5 miles
Elevation gain: 1,036 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Map & Current Conditions
Upper Two Medicine Lake sits in a gorgeous basin below Mount Helen, Pumpelly Pillar, and Lone Walker Mountain, making it one of the prettiest spots in this part of the park.
On this hike, you’ll start at the South Shore Trail, wind through the forest, cross a handful of streams, and even get to walk across some fun hanging bridges. Along the way, you can add short detours to Paradise Point, Aster Falls, and Aster Park for even more views and waterfalls.
If you want to cut off mileage, the Two Medicine boat cruise is a great option. You can take it round-trip or just one way, then hike the other direction. Just be sure to book this in advance!
10. Pitamakan-Dawson Loop
Distance (round trip): 18.8 miles
Elevation gain: 3,779 feet
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Map & Current Conditions
For experienced hikers, the Pitamakan-Dawson Loop is one of the most sought-after backpacking loops and is arguably one of the best day hikes in Glacier National Park! Both passes are famous for their incredible views (and crazy strong winds!). Along the way you’ll see striking peaks, beautiful lakes, and get to hike along a narrow mountainside. This was hands-down our favorite hike in the area! But it is tough and long, so we only recommend it for those with a lot of endurance and hiking experience.
If you don’t have the time (or energy!) for the full loop, you can still hike to Pitamakan Pass or Dawson Pass as an out-and-back. Or camp for the night at the backcountry campsites at Oldman Lake and No Name Lake.
To learn more about this trail, including your different options to hike it and a trail breakdown, check out our detailed guide to hiking the Pitamakan–Dawson Loop!
11. Enjoy Frozen Yogurt at the Two Medicine General Store
After a big hike, a cold treat is a must! Pop into the historic Two Medicine Store for ice cream and a little history. When we were there, they had a delicious raspberry and vanilla swirl that really hit the spot, but we’ve also heard they sometimes have huckleberry!
This log building was once the dining hall for the Two Medicine Chalet and is now listed as a National Historic Landmark contributing property, so it’s a cool piece of history you can actually visit!
The store is also the only spot in Two Medicine to grab food or do some shopping. Inside, you will find souvenirs, hiking gear, and plenty of snacks.
A+K Tip: Buy a granola bar and smash it onto your fro-yo to take it to the next level!
12. Get a Huckleberry Bear Claw at Kyiyo Mercantile
If you’re visiting Glacier National Park and find yourself on the east side, you absolutely have to make a stop at the Kyiyo Mercantile for their huckleberry bearclaws. They are big, flaky, and packed with delicious local huckleberry filling. And getting one is one of the best things to do in Glacier National Park!
The Mercantile is located at the intersection of Highway 89 and Looking Glass Highway. Kyiyo is actually the sister location to the famous Polebridge Mercantile on the park’s west side.
Kyiyo also has a hot deli with offerings like hot and cold sandwiches, fried chicken, and baked macaroni and cheese. It’s a great spot to grab a full meal, a quick coffee, or to stock up on snacks and souvenirs before heading into the park!
13. Drive the Looking Glass Road (Highway 49)
Looking Glass Road (also called Highway 49) is a stunning drive just outside the park boundary on the Blackfeet Reservation. The stretch between Kiowa and East Glacier is about 12 miles, and you can use it to connect St. Mary to the Two Medicine Valley or head from East Glacier toward Two Medicine without backtracking on the main highway.
This road is incredibly scenic, offering gorgeous views of the Two Medicine Valley and the Flathead National Forest. It lives up to its name, with beautiful, reflective ponds and lakes along the way!
Just be prepared for a very windy, narrow road with some serious drop-offs. It’s a stunning drive, but it’s absolutely not recommended for large RVs or trailers.
Planning your visit to Two Medicine at Glacier National Park
How to get to Two Medicine
Driving
Two Medicine is located on the southeast side of Glacier National Park. The main park entrances are on Highway 2, and you’ll typically access the Two Medicine area from the town of East Glacier.
From East Glacier: Head north on Highway 49, then take a left onto Two Medicine Road.
From St. Mary: Head south on Highway 49 (also known as Looking Glass Road). This is a really scenic drive, but be prepared, it’s a very winding, narrow road with some steep drop-offs, so it’s not a good fit for large RVs or trailers.
Flying
The closest major airport to Two Medicine is Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell. From there, it’s about a 1 hr and 45-minute drive to the Two Medicine area.
When to Visit
Early Summer (June/Early July): This is a great time to see roaring waterfalls and lush greenery. The trails are usually snow-free by early July, and you’ll catch the wildflower season in full swing. For reference, we visited in early July.
Peak Season (Mid-July to August): This is the busiest time, but it’s when all the park’s services are fully operational. The weather is typically warm and sunny, making it perfect for hiking and boating.
Fall (September): The crowds start to thin out, the weather is still beautiful, and the colors start to change. It’s a fantastic time for wildlife spotting.
Entrance Fees & Reservations
Park Pass: You will need a valid Glacier National Park entrance pass, which you can purchase online or at the entrance station when you arrive. A 7-day pass costs $35 per vehicle. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, that works too!
Amenities Offered
Facilities: Right by the main parking area, you’ll find public restrooms and a water fill-up station so you can top off your bottles before hitting the trails.
Two Medicine General Store: The Two Medicine Store carries snacks, grab-and-go food, drinks, small gear, gifts, and sometimes hot or frozen treats.
Ranger Station: While there isn’t a traditional visitor center here, there is a ranger station. This is a great place to get advice on current trail conditions and ask questions!
Where to stay to visit Two Medicine at Glacier National Park
If your goal is to wake up right in the heart of Glacier National Park, you can’t beat Two Medicine Campground. It’s tucked in a gorgeous valley surrounded by rugged peaks, and you’re just minutes from the lake, boat tours, and trailheads. Reservations are required for a site, with some sites being available to book 6 months in advance, while others only open up 4 days in advance. There are no electric hook-ups, but you’ll have picnic tables and fire rings.
If camping inside the park isn’t your thing (or you can’t snag a site), your next best options are East Glacier Park Village or Saint Mary. Both are on the east side of the park.
East Glacier is about a 30-minute drive from Two Medicine, and the drive alone is worth it. The town has restaurants and a grocery store. You’ll find lots of lodging options here, including motels, cabins, and small inns.
Saint Mary is closer to Many Glacier and the eastern entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road, but it still makes a great base for exploring Two Medicine. It’s smaller than East Glacier, but you’ll find gas, a few restaurants, and campgrounds nearby.
We stayed at Divide Creek Campground, which is close to Saint Mary, and we loved it! It’s a more primitive campground with vault toilets and outdoor showers, but you can’t beat the location if visiting multiple areas of the park. Plus, it’s right along the crystal clear, almost Caribbean blue Saint Mary River!
Tips for your visit to Two Medicine at Glacier National Park
Parking: While parking here isn’t as intense as in areas like Many Glacier or Logan Pass, it’s still a good idea to arrive early. There are two parking areas by the boat dock and general store, plus overflow parking a bit up the road. But all parking lots are pretty small. So make sure to arrive by 8 AM, especially on a weekend, to ensure you get a spot and can start your day without any stress.
Check for Closures: Always check for trail closures before you head out! On our last visit, the North Shore Trail was closed due to bear activity. Honestly, every time we’ve been to Glacier, at least one trail has been closed because of bears, so it’s always good to have a backup plan.
Traveling with Pets: If you’re traveling with a dog, keep in mind that pets aren’t allowed on trails in Glacier (only in developed areas like parking lots, campgrounds, and along roads). Two Medicine is no exception, so you’ll want to plan pet care accordingly.
Be Aware of Wildlife: This is bear country! Always carry bear spray and know how to use it. Be sure to make noise as you hike to avoid surprising any animals, and keep a safe distance if you do spot any wildlife.
No Cell Service: Don’t count on having any cell service once you get past the entrance station. Be sure to download or save any maps, boat reservations, or other info you might need before you go!
What to Pack for Your Trip
Bear Spray: This is non-negotiable in Glacier National Park. Always have your bear spray easily accessible and know how to use it.
The 10 Essentials: Make sure your backpack is stocked with the 10 essentials for any hike. This includes navigation, sun protection, a first-aid kit, and other critical items to keep you safe in the backcountry.
Layers of Clothing: The weather in the mountains can go from hot and sunny to cold and windy in a matter of minutes. Be sure to pack layers, including a puffy jacket, a rain jacket, and a windbreaker. The Pitamakan-Dawson Loop, in particular, gets very windy, so a windbreaker is a must-have.
Good Hiking Shoes: Bring good hiking shoes or boots that are broken in and comfortable. You’ll want sturdy footwear for the trails, which can be rocky and uneven. We love our Altra Lone Peaks!
Food & Water: There are no services once you’re on the trails, so pack plenty of food and water to last you for the day. Need some ideas? Here are our favorite hiking snacks!
Offline Maps: There is no cell service in the Two Medicine area, so you won’t be able to rely on your phone for navigation. Make sure to download offline AllTrails maps or print offline maps of the park and the trails you plan to hike.
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About the Author
This blog post was written by our writer Nicoll. Learn a bit about her below!
After six years of full-time travel, Nicoll is now a mountain-loving mama living in Colorado with her husband Jake, their sweet baby girl Teagan, and their pup Gunner. She loves hiking, riding her dirt bike, and finding joy in the little things.