Hiking St. Mary Falls & Virginia Falls Glacier National Park

St. Mary Falls Glacier National Park Montana

The St. Mary Fall trail head is found along Going-To-The-Sun-Road driving east 6.5 miles past Logan Pass Visitor center.  It can be reached from St. Mary Entrance Station while traveling 10.6 miles west on Going-To-The-Sun road.

Trail Feature: Waterfalls
Trail Head: St Mary Fall Trail Head Along Going-To-The-Sun-Road
Round Trip: 1.6 Miles
Total Elevation: 260 feet loss.
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Time to go: February – Early September

This trail is generally packed with hikers, visitors with family and children as it is an easy 1.6-mile round trip.   Finding a parking spot at a St Mary Falls trail head is little tough in summer season.  We reached at St Mary Falls trail head after doing another hike, so it was afternoon time and we had to wait for some odd time to find a parking spot to park. 

But the wait time was worth the view of Crystal-clear water of Waterfalls.  I would recommend reaching the trail head early to find the parking spot. The trail is accessible from one other small parking lot at walkable distance. 

The other option is to take the free shuttle from Logan Pass Visitor Center or “Rising Sun” or “Sun Point” to reach the St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop.  There were many Visitors/hikers who had parked their vehicles miles away for this hike.

Going-to-the-Sun Road Shuttle at Logan Pass Visitor Center Parking Lot
Going-to-the-Sun Road Shuttle at Logan Pass Visitor Center Parking Lot

Hike to St. Mary Falls

On Starting the hike from St Mary Falls parking lot, it takes you through a forest that had survived a massive fire. The burnt remains of trees stand out adding charm to green dense forest that has come back to life.  Sight of Colorful wild flowers follows along the trail.

Burnt remains of trees along the trail to St. Mary Falls
View of Burned Trees at St. Mary Falls trail
View of Burned Trees at St. Mary Falls trail
A Burnt remain-  Hollow tree  left with outer bark Glacier National Park
A Burnt remain- Hollow tree left with outer bark
View of St. Mary Lake from trail to St Mary Falls Glacier National Park Montana
Beautiful view of blue waters of St. Mary’s Lake from the trail.
Turquoise Water of St. Mary's Falls Glacier National Park
Turquoise Water of St. Mary’s Falls

If the Climate permits, you can take a dive in to the blue waters at St Mary’s Falls.

Wooden Bridge across stream waters of St Mary Falls Glacier National Park
Wooden Bridge across stream waters of St Mary Falls
Visitors swimming at St. Mary Falls stream
Swimmers enjoying blue waters at St. Mary Falls stream
Colorful Wild Flowers and approx 12 inch diameter White wild Mushroom
Colorful Wild Flowers , approx 12 inch diameter White wild Mushroom

Hike to Virginia Falls

Trail Feature: Waterfalls
Trail Head: St Mary’s Fall Trail Head – Along Going-To-The-Sun-Road
Round Trip: 3.2 Miles
Total Elevation: 260 feet loss, 285 feet gain
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Time to go: February – Early September

Hike to Virginia Falls Glacier National Park Montana

On Continuing on the trail past the St Mary’s Falls, in less than one mile you will reach the Virginia Falls.  There are series of waterfalls that follows along the path on trail towards Virginia falls. 

Scenic Waterfall on trail to Virginia Falls Glacier National Park
No name waterfall along the trail to Virginia Falls

The Virginia falls is the best of the waterfalls in the park.  The falls is three tiered with main section dropping down 50 feet.  On a warm day one could enjoy going near the falls and enjoy the mist. 

Virginia Falls Glacier National Park
Virginia Falls
Enjoying the Mist from Virginia Falls
Virginia Falls Glacier National Park Montana
Virginia Falls

On clear sunny day, Virginia Falls top section can be easily seen from Parking lot.

Pic captured from inside the car, tiny white thing in Right hand side is the top section of Virginia Falls that is seen from Parking Lot
Me at St. Mary Falls

There are many hiking options at Glacier National Park. If you looking for adrenaline pumping hiking experience then hike to Highline Trail at Logan Pass is a must. Do read my experience of our family “Hiking the Highline Trail Glacier National Park.

Have you been to St. Mary Falls or Virginia Falls at Glacier National Park? Feel free to comment below and let me know how was your experience.

Stay Healthy… Happy Traveling and Hiking.

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St Mary Falls Glacier National Park
Virginia Falls Glacier National Park

27 thoughts on “Hiking St. Mary Falls & Virginia Falls Glacier National Park

    1. Yes, Water color depends on the climate. If there is blue sunny skies , then expect to see the blue waters and if cloudy grey skies then water may look green. We were lucky to see them in both.

  1. What a beautiful hike! It sounds like the perfect hike to do with family, too. The blue waters are just breathtaking! I haven’t been to Glacier National Park, but next time I’m in the US I would love to visit.

  2. Beautiful hike! I love the pictures as well! It’s always interesting the perspective people capture and I love the one with your husband and son facing the falls!

    1. Nicole

      Is there usually snow in the area near the waterfall in March? My fiancé and I are looking at different places to elope

  3. These are really beautiful places and pictures. Can imagine the sound accompanied by those water falls. I think it’s something I’d like to try too.

  4. athomewithmomma

    Wow, the blue water looks so beautiful! I have never seen anything like it before. I’m really hoping I can go here and see this wonderful blue water.

    1. I have a little bit of a waterfall obsession, and these and both just stunning. When I went to Yellowstone, it was probably the thing I was most excited for. Virginia Falls reminds me of them especially. I’d definitely love to visit one day.

      Emma

  5. Very nice! From the photos, it seems to be a multi-tiered waterfall. Can we visit all tiers? Or are there tiers off limit to visitors? And that water—so tempting for a swim. But being fed with glacier waters, I think that’s gonna be super cold! Hahaha!

  6. Trail path to St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls inside the Glacier National Park looks amazing; though it is sad to hear that wildfires had eaten much of the forest cover and is slowly gaining its lost glory.

  7. daniel

    This looks so great!! I would love to go there, the pictures are just so beautiful. This has to one of the prettiest waterfall I have seen yet. I haven’t been to Glacier National Park but it looks like a perfect place to go hiking with your family.

  8. Ana

    I was planning to visit Glacial National Park last year but couldn’t make it! Your pictures speak for itself how surreal St. Mary and Virginia Falls are and I need to plant a trip soon!

  9. These waterfalls look amazing! Just look at the color of this water, it’s insane! Beautiful mountains and landscapes, I love places where you can enjoy nature and relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. I would love to visit St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls Glacier National Park.

  10. Thanks for sharing a very informative post about hiking to St Mary Falls. It is good that Difficulty level of this hike is easy and not very long as it is only 1.6 miles round trip. It would be interesting to see how forest survived fire during hiking.

  11. Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions

    The color of the water in St. Mary Lake and Falls is stunning! That’s really nice that this trail is easy and accessible to everyone. The burned trees really do stand out, but at least the forest has started to come back to life. Thanks for sharing, Heena!

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