Ptarmigan Tunnel - Backpack and Hike near Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
Continental Divide Trail, Browning, MT 59417, USA,Many Glacier,Montana
48.79887824069001, -113.67773652076721
Address: Continental Divide Trail, Browning, MT 59417, USA
GPS: 48°47'56.0"N 113°40'39.9"W
Maps | Directions
State: Montana
Trail Length: 11.00 miles
Trail Type: Out & Back
Hike Difficulty: Intermediate
Trails/Routes: 10.5 mi

Lakes Glaciers Trails Wildflowers National Park

Backpack and Hike

This trail takes vistors to one of the manmade features in Glacier National Park. The trailhead can be found by taking the Iceberg Lake trailhead, and following it until the trail junction past Ptarmigan Falls. At the trailhead, continue on the right as the trail progresses upwards into the mountain. About 1.6 miles from the trail junction, the trail will pass by Ptarmigan lake. From this point, the trail begins to climb via switchbacks up the Ptarmigan wall. This is probably the steepest and most difficult part of the trail. Once at the top of the switchbacks, hikers will see the steel doors which are the entrance to the tunnel. 

The tunnel itself is about 240 ft long and was constructed in the mid 1930's. The idea was to create an easier way for more people to see the beautiful views available in this part of the park. It cuts through the mountain and opens up to views of Seaward Mountain and Elizabeth Lake. The tunnel was carved out by hand and explosives, and can fit horses through it, however riders will have to dismount. The tunnel is closed until mid-July and remains open until the beginning of October. 

Visitors can either continue along the trail outside of the tunnel or turn around and head back down the trail. The mountains themselves are beautiful to see. On the south side of the Ptarmigan tunnel, visitors will be stunned at the deep red mountains which the tunnel was carved into. It is a longer hike, but definitely can be done in a day, or an overnight trip if continuing down the trail. Bears can be out along the trail, so be sure to pack along bear spray and other necessities. 

2.7K Written by cteicheira

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

  1. Head north toward Continental Divide Trail (0.3 mi)
  2. Turn left onto Rte 3 (0.9 mi)
  3. Turn right (253 ft)
  4. Turn right
    Destination will be on the left
    (482 ft)
to add photos & videos and suggest edits

Guest Review/Comments

/5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Edit Review Delete Review
Reply Cancel
Ptarmigan Tunnel courtesy of National Parks Service Inventory Ptarmigan Tunnel courtesy of National Parks Service Inventory↗
Hiking the Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail in Glacier Natio by Erin & Scott Ptarmigan Tunnel Hike by johnasmo Ptarmigan Tunnel in Glacier National Park by Becky Ricks
2.7K

Added by cteicheira

Trails

Distance ?

10.5 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

2,322 feet

Real Ascent ?

2,576 feet

Real Descent ?

254 feet

Avg Grade (5°)

8%

Grade (-17° to 37°)

-31% to 75%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

Other Hiking Trails and Backpacking Trails Nearby

Add Location 9.7 mi

Iceberg Lake

Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

0.0 miles E

A pleasant trip into Glacier National Park, coming out to be about 9 miles round trip. The lake sits at the basin of mountains carved by glaciers thousands of years ago. Along the way, hikers will...

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

11.8 mi

Cracker Lake Trail

Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

1.0 miles E

What impresses people most about this lake is the surreal turquoise color of the lake. Regardless of the beautiful mountain cliffs and forests found along the trail, Cracker lake is definitely a must...

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

Grinnell Lake

Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

2.5 miles SW

Grinnelll Lake was named after George Bird Grinnell who helped make Glacier into a national park. This lake allows visitors to see one of the remaining glaciers in the park and take in the immense...

Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

Siyeh Pass Trail

Logan Pass, Glacier National Park

6.7 miles S

LIke many of the trails found throughout Glacier National Park, Siyeh Pass trail takes hikers through beautiful meadows and forests, complete with top-of-the-world views. The trail begins at Siyeh...

Backpack, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

backpack Backpacking Trail

Clements Mountain Trail

Logan Pass, Glacier National Park

7.3 miles S

Located in Glacier National Park, Clements Mountain is a four mile round trip hike. Clements Mountain is often mistaken for Reynolds Mountain, both of which can be seen from the Logan Pass...

Backpack, Camp, Hike, Rock Climb

rock climb Rock Climbing Wall

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

Highline Trail

Logan Pass, Glacier National Park

7.3 miles S

One of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park. The Highline Trail is on many people's hiking lists because it showcases all of the beauty of Glacier National Park in just one hike. This...

Backpack, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

backpack Backpacking Trail

5.0 mi

Hidden Lake

Glacier National Park

7.4 miles S

The Hidden Lake Trail in Glacier National Park is a moderate to strenuous hike that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Located in the northwest region of Montana, the park is...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

0.6 mi

Baring Falls

Glacier National Park

9.1 miles SE

The Baring Falls are named after the Baring Creek, which flows into the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. The falls themselves are a stunning sight to behold, with a 30-foot drop into a pool of...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

1.4-4.6 mi

St Mary and Virginia Falls

Rising Sun, Glacier National Park

9.2 miles S

Virginia Falls is one of two major waterfalls that feed into St Mary Lake. The trail is about 3.7 miles roundtrip, where visitors will see other waterfalls such as St Mary waterfall. The trail begins...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

0.9 mi

Trail of the Cedars

Apgar Village, Glacier National Park

10.4 miles SW

The Trail of the Cedars is one of the most popular hikes in the park because of it offers great views without too much exertion. It is a short loop hike around Avalanche Creek in Glacier...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

4.5 mi

Avalanche Lake

Apgar Village, Glacier National Park

10.5 miles SW

Hike near Apgar Village, Glacier National Park

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Cameron Lake

Waterton, Glacier National Park

22.5 miles NW

Cameron Lake is found in the Canadian portion of Glacier National Park, usually referred to as Waterton Lakes National Park. The lake is a picturesque spot to rest and relax while enjoying the...

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

Jewel Basin

Kalispell, Montana

44.9 miles S

Beautiful hiking area in the Montana wilderness, Jewel Basin is home to lakes with plenty of fish, and many peaks to ascend. 

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

More Similar Arenas Near Ptarmigan Tunnel:

Hiking Trails Backpacking Trails Things to Do

Nearby Campsites

Add Location 9.7 mi

Iceberg Lake

Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

0.0 miles E

A pleasant trip into Glacier National Park, coming out to be about 9 miles round trip. The lake sits at the basin of mountains carved by glaciers thousands of years ago. Along the way, hikers will...

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

Many Glacier Campground

Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

0.2 miles S

Camp near Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

Camp

camp Campsite

11.8 mi

Cracker Lake Trail

Many Glacier, Glacier National Park

1.0 miles E

What impresses people most about this lake is the surreal turquoise color of the lake. Regardless of the beautiful mountain cliffs and forests found along the trail, Cracker lake is definitely a must...

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

Clements Mountain Trail

Logan Pass, Glacier National Park

7.3 miles S

Located in Glacier National Park, Clements Mountain is a four mile round trip hike. Clements Mountain is often mistaken for Reynolds Mountain, both of which can be seen from the Logan Pass...

Backpack, Camp, Hike, Rock Climb

rock climb Rock Climbing Wall

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

Rising Sun Campground

Glacier National Park

10.1 miles SE

Located in the eastern part of the park, the Rising Sun Campground offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests. The campground has over 150 sites, all of which are equipped...

Camp

camp Campsite

Avalanche Campground

Glacier National Park

10.5 miles SW

Avalanche Campground is a popular destination for visitors to Glacier National Park in Montana. Located on the western side of the park, the campground is just a short drive from the Apgar Visitor...

Camp

camp Campsite

St. Mary Campground

Glacier National Park

11.1 miles E

St. Mary Campground is a popular campsite located in the beautiful Glacier National Park in Montana. Nestled in the heart of the park, St. Mary Campground offers breathtaking views of the surrounding...

Camp

camp Campsite

Sprague Campground

Glacier National Park

16.3 miles SW

Sprague Campground is a popular destination for travelers visiting Glacier National Park in Montana. Located on the west side of the park, the campground is named after Amos Sprague, one of the first...

Camp

camp Campsite

Cut Bank Campground

Glacier National Park

19.1 miles SE

Nestled in a beautiful forested setting along the Cut Bank Creek, Cut Bank Campground offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere for campers to enjoy. The campground has a total of 48 campsites, all...

Camp

camp Campsite

Fish Creek Campground

Glacier National Park

22.3 miles SW

Fish Creek Campground is a popular campsite located within Glacier National Park in Montana. It offers a peaceful and picturesque setting for travelers looking to experience the beauty of the...

Camp

camp Campsite

Cameron Lake

Waterton, Glacier National Park

22.5 miles NW

Cameron Lake is found in the Canadian portion of Glacier National Park, usually referred to as Waterton Lakes National Park. The lake is a picturesque spot to rest and relax while enjoying the...

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

Apgar Campground

Apgar Village, Glacier National Park

23.5 miles SW

Apgar Campground is a beautiful campsite located in the heart of Glacier National Park in Montana. Situated on the shores of Lake McDonald, this campground offers stunning views of the surrounding...

Camp

camp Campsite

Bowman Lake Campground

Glacier National Park

24.0 miles W

Located in the heart of Montana's Glacier National Park, Bowman Lake Campground offers visitors the chance to experience the stunning beauty of the park's rugged landscape. With its crystal...

Camp

camp Campsite

Logging Creek Campground

Glacier National Park

24.4 miles W

Logging Creek Campground is a popular camping destination located in the beautiful Glacier National Park in Montana. With its stunning mountain views and close proximity to a variety of outdoor...

Camp

camp Campsite

Kintla Campground

Glacier National Park

25.0 miles NW

Kintla Campground is a beautiful and peaceful campsite located in the heart of Glacier National Park in Montana. The campground is situated along the shores of Kintla Lake, which offers stunning...

Camp

camp Campsite

Quartz Creek Campground

Glacier National Park

25.5 miles W

Quartz Creek Campground is a popular destination for campers visiting Glacier National Park in Montana. Located in the heart of the park, this campground offers a peaceful and serene setting for...

Camp

camp Campsite

Two Medicine Campground

Glacier National Park

25.6 miles SE

Camp near Glacier National Park

Camp

camp Campsite

Jewel Basin

Kalispell, Montana

44.9 miles S

Beautiful hiking area in the Montana wilderness, Jewel Basin is home to lakes with plenty of fish, and many peaks to ascend. 

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

More Campsites Near Ptarmigan Tunnel:

Campsites

Embed Arena

Where do you plan to embed this code?

<script src="https://www.freearenas.com/embed/a68122241"></script>

Copy
×
loading...

Edit Your Experience

Log Your Visit to This Location

We've logged that you went. Is there anything else you want to add?

Thank you for your review/comment

We've recorded your comments. Is there anything else you want to add?

By recording your visit on FreeArenas.com, you'll have a collection of all the great places you've been and provide valuable information for yourself and others in the future.

Have you been to this location?

/5
Cancel

Donate to the Cause

Help us inspire and inform every person to enjoy life and the great outdoors in a responsible way. There's a lot of ways to do this. Here's a few ways we're working on our mission right now: Providing information, Building and maintaining local trails, Helping and teaching kids to fix their bikes, Cleaning up local parks to provide safe and clean places to enjoy nature. Learn More

Update Review

/5

New Collection

Add an Arena

Just some quick info about this location to get started...