Johns Lake Loop
This popular and easy hike takes you through a wooded forest to a woodland lake.
Plan Around Johns Lake Loop
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Johns Lake Loop Details
This popular and easy hike takes you through a wooded forest to a woodland lake. Johns Lake is surrounded by dense forest, and its shoreline is covered with water lilies. Stanton Mountain and Mount Vaught sit behind the lake, and often create nice reflections in the water. After visiting the lake you can head to the Sacred Dancing Cascades, where the turquoise water of McDonald Creek froths as it cascades in the riverbed. During the height of summer snow-melt, the cascades can roar. In late summer the water dances down rock steps into clear pools revealing the colors of the riverbed. Glacier is grizzly country. Carry bear spray, make noise and travel in groups. Access is via the Johns Lake Trailhead east of Lake McDonald Lodge.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
2.4 miles,
Estimated time
3 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Johns Lake Loop
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Johns Lake Loop
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Johns Lake Loop while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Sacred Dancing Cascades
A few miles northeast of Lake McDonald Lodge is a pullout where you see a series of waterfalls along McDonald Creek called the Sacred Dancing Cascades.
0.4 mi away
McDonald Creek
McDonald Creek, running more than 25 miles, is the longest stream inside of Glacier National Park.
1.5 mi away
Trout Lake Trail
This hike starts near the shores of Lake McDonald, climbing up to a ridge before beginning a steep descent down to Trout Lake.
1.9 mi away
Mt. Brown Lookout Trail
If you are looking for an easy stroll, or a way to simply stretch your legs, this hike is not for you.
