South Boundary Trail

This is an 11.5-mile out-and-back on Glacier’s South Boundary Trail, from the west-side Headquarters Boundary access to Lincoln Creek and back. Plan about five hours and roughly 1,300 feet of cumulative climbing over repeated rises and descents. It suits hikers who want a long walk beside the Middle Fork Flathead River; it is a hard day, not a quick riverside stop.

Park at the end of Mather Drive in West Glacier and follow the access toward the river and Old Belton Bridge. After the bridge, take the right-hand fork; the left branch follows the old entrance road toward Park Headquarters. The trail rolls in and out of trees along the base of the Belton Hills. Slower pools and faster rapids alternate beside the Middle Fork. Lincoln Creek is the usual turnaround, where a narrow, one-person suspension bridge crosses the creek.

Before U.S. Highway 2 opened in 1930, this corridor was Glacier’s main year-round ranger patrol route. Old Belton Bridge marked the park’s main entrance from 1897 to 1936: a log crossing came first, followed by the surviving concrete arch in 1920. Flooding in 1964 destroyed the later bridge decking, leaving the arch beneath today’s pedestrian crossing. From the approach, frame the arch with the Middle Fork below to show the bridge’s shape.

The 11.5-mile total is approximate; route records measure the river access and Lincoln Creek turnaround from slightly different points. Pets are not permitted on Glacier trails, and off-trail travel in the Belton Hills is prohibited. Older descriptions continue farther east toward Coal Creek, Nyack and Walton, but disagree about mileage and whether the tread remains continuous. This trail card covers the better-supported Lincoln Creek out-and-back.