Parking
Start at Bowman Lake Ranger Station beside the lake. Follow the Bowman Lake Trail along the west shore for about 0.65 mile to the Numa Ridge junction, then take the climbing trail. A seasonal restroom is available at the trailhead.
Overview
About Numa Ridge Lookout Trail
Why go
- The lookout gives a broad view down Bowman Lake toward Rainbow Peak.
- A level lakeshore approach eases you into the climb.
Heads up
- A long, steep day with little scenery through much of the forested climb.
Numa Ridge Lookout Trail is an out-and-back from Bowman Lake Ranger Station to a seasonally staffed fire lookout above the lake. Plan for about 11.4 miles round trip, including the shoreline approach to the Numa Ridge junction, and allow eight to nine hours with breaks. The reward is a high view over Bowman Lake toward Rainbow Peak and the Livingston Range. This is a good choice if a long, steep forest climb is part of the appeal; skip it if you want frequent views or a short outing.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs it worth the long climb?Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Glacier map
Full mapElevation4,091–6,873 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
1 active Glacier alert
- ClosureTwo Medicine Campground closed for 2026 constructionTwo Medicine Campground is closed throughout 2026 because of construction in the Two Medicine developed area.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Glacier Tour Guide
Your drive to Numa Ridge Lookout Trail, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Glacier National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Glacier audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Bowman Lake0:00 / 0:30
“You’re nearing Bowman Lake, an eight-mile stretch of water framed by forest and mountain ridges. You don’t need a long hike here: head to the shore for the view, then settle in for a picnic or a little lakeside walking.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Glacier Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- From Beaver Pond to Meadow
- Why a Loon Needs a Runway
- Why Bull Trout Need Streams
- Polebridge Ranger Station and Covey Meadow
- 204 audio storiesacross Glacier’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Grizzly Bear, Wolverine, Mountain Goat, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 157 trails, 91 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Our first time to glacier and we used the audio portion for Going to the Sun Road. Wonderful information with perfect advice of what to see and do along the road.”
Trail guide
Hiking Numa Ridge Lookout Trail
Start beside Bowman LakeThe first half-mile stays relatively level along the lake shore.
The first half-mile stays relatively level along the lake shore. At the Numa Ridge junction, turn left and leave the shoreline for the climb. The lake and surrounding peaks are the last open views for a while; the next several miles pass through tall forest, with little to look out at until a small saddle and pond.
The climb opens on the ridgeBeyond the pond, the grade gets more sustained.
Beyond the pond, the grade gets more sustained. The forest changes and shortens as the trail gains the upper ridge, where views of Bowman Lake start appearing behind you. Short switchbacks lead to the lookout. The fire tower is the destination, not a trailhead for another summit: from up here, Bowman Lake stretches below the wooded hills and Rainbow Peak stands across the water.
Plan for a full dayExpect roughly 3,400 feet of climbing, with about 500 feet of descent along the way.
Expect roughly 3,400 feet of climbing, with about 500 feet of descent along the way. There is no water at the lookout, and the restroom at Bowman Lake Ranger Station is seasonal. Pets aren’t allowed on Glacier trails. Snow can linger on high slopes after lower elevations clear, so check the park’s current trail and road status before setting out. The drive to Bowman Lake uses an unpaved road.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Glacier
404 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
11 sightingsWolverineMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
1,173 sightingsMountain GoatMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
1,000 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
395 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
506 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Glacier. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
