Slide Lake Trail

Slide Lake Trail is an out-and-back from a gate on Highway 17, following the rough Otatso Creek approach across the Blackfeet Reservation into Glacier National Park, then continuing along Otatso Creek Trail to a lake below a rockslide. The mapped corridor is about 7.1 miles one way (14.2 miles round trip). Slide Lake is the turnaround; the climb toward Gable Pass is a separate continuation.

Allow about 8½ hours including short breaks; that is a planning estimate, not a published time. Distances differ: a park campground map marks about 6.4 miles to the campground, while an older route description gives 8.6 miles to the lake. The mapped line to shore measures about 7.1 miles each way, so treat mileage as approximate.

The described start is a gate on Highway 17 for Otatso Creek Road. Park across from it fully clear of the road, and leave the gate as you found it. The route crosses Blackfeet Reservation land before entering the park. Nonmembers need a Recreation/Conservation permit to recreate on the Reservation; confirm permission for this specific route and the current fee with Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife before going.

Pets are prohibited on park trails and in the backcountry, so leave them at home for this route. Bring your own water: the small creek crossings on the reservation section may be unreliable late in summer.

The first roughly two miles follow a rough, unimproved road over Sandy Ridge through open fields and aspen groves. At the cattle guard, the view opens west across Otatso Creek Valley toward Chief Mountain. The route then gradually drops into the valley and traverses its north slope above Otatso Creek, crossing small streams along the way.

After the boundary, the trail becomes clearer and the forest more evergreen. It passes patrol cabins and Slide Lake Campground before reaching the lake. The campground is near the Gable Pass junction; stay on the Slide Lake branch for the route described here. Gable Pass is a much steeper continuation and is not included in the distance above.

A large rock avalanche from Yellow Mountain dammed Otatso Creek and formed Slide Lake. From the shore, frame the lake with the pale slide scar above it. The park closes Slide Lake, the pond below it, and Otatso Creek to fishing. The nearby campground is a backcountry stop; an overnight stay requires a separate wilderness permit.