04 Oct St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail: BEST Waterfall Hike in Glacier
The St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is one of the best family-friendly hikes in all of Glacier National Park. Moreover, it is located in an incredibly convenient location near the eastern edge of the Going to the Sun Road. The trail leads to two main waterfalls and even passes by a bunch of smaller waterfalls along the way. What more could you ask for? You thus have no excuse to not add this waterfall hike to your Glacier itinerary.
The first main waterfall along the trail is known as St. Mary Falls. You can even go for a swim here if you are brave enough to jump in the cold water. The second main waterfall at the end of the trail is known as Virginia Falls. This waterfall is even taller than the first, and it has some colorful rocks at its base. However, the highlight of the trail for me was at the very beginning when I saw two moose wading around in the water at the nearby Saint Mary Lake.
For another one of the best waterfall trails in Glacier National Park, hike to Running Eagle Falls in Two Medicine.
Contents:
1) Location of the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
2) Best Time to Hike
3) St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail Directions
4) Trail Distance, Difficulty, and Scenery
5) When You Reach St. Mary Falls
6) When You Reach Virginia Falls
7) Nearby Attractions to the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
8) Recommended Items to Bring
9) Bear Safety Tips
10) General Glacier National Park Information
1) Location of the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
Where is St. Mary Falls? Is Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park?
The St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is located along the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park. More specifically, it is closer to the eastern edge of the Going to the Sun Road. For example, it is only a 20-minute drive west from the town of St. Mary. On the other hand, it is a one hour and 20 minute-drive east from the town of West Glacier.
If you are planning a trip to Glacier, then I am 99% confident you will be driving along the Going to the Sun Road at some point. It does hold some of the park’s most popular hiking trails and viewpoints, after all. For example, you can find the Highline Trail as well as the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail at Logan Pass. You should thus easily be able to squeeze a hike along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail in your itinerary.
Where is the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trailhead?
One unique thing about the hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls is that there are two locations from which you can start.
First, there is the Saint Mary’s Falls Parking Lot. You want to start the hike from this location if you plan on driving. There is a small pull-off parking area right beside the trailhead. However, please be aware that parking for this trail can be quite difficult at peak times, for example mid-morning and early afternoon. The trail is pretty popular, yet there are not enough parking spaces to accommodate everyone. I thus recommend you arrive early to secure a parking spot or ensure you are comfortable waiting for a spot if necessary. Moreover, there is a vault toilet located here.
Second, there is the Saint Mary Falls Trailhead. You want to start the hike from this location if you plan on riding the park shuttle, for this is where the shuttle stop is located. The park shuttle for Glacier is free. You can thus ride around without increasing your trip’s budget. Furthermore, the shuttle runs from the beginning of July through Labor Day. Check out the nps.gov Glacier Shuttle webpage for more detailed information on shuttle hours, reduced services, express vs. full service, and more.
Map of the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
Where are Nearby Camping and Lodging Options to St. Mary and Virginia Falls?
Glacier National Park has an array of campgrounds available for your stay. However, please be aware that campground reservations are extremely competitive for Glacier, especially in the summer months of June and August. When we booked our campsites in Glacier, we reserved them as soon as possible (reservations generally open six months in advance). Moreover, we had multiple tabs open for reservations – if we did not succeed in reserving one site, then we had multiple back-up options.
The closest campground to the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is the Rising Sun Campground at 11 minutes east. However, this campground is an exception to my story above. Campsites here are available only on a first-come, first-served basis. You thus might not want to fully rely on this campground due to the chance you might not secure a site. That is the main reason we did not stay here.
The second closest campground is the St. Mary Campground at 20 minutes east. I can offer my personal recommendation for this campground since my partner and I stayed here for three nights during our time in Glacier. Not only is it located at the beginning of the Going to the Sun Road, but it is also close to restaurants and shops in the town of St. Mary. Moreover, I have one recommendation in relation to the St. Mary Campground – shower early! There are only four showers total, and the hot water tends to run out by the late evening.
For non-camping lodging options, check out Cozy Duck Lake Cabin or St. Mary Village.
One of the other waterfalls along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
2) Best Time to Hike
When should I hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park?
Let me offer you my recommendations up front. The best time to hike the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is before 8am or after 4pm in the months of July, August, and September.
As mentioned above, parking can be a bit difficult for the trail due to the fact that the parking area is a pull-off rather than an entire lot. This means that the number of parking spots is limited. Moreover, the trail is pretty popular since it is one of the easier hikes in Glacier and also leads to two beautiful waterfalls.
Whenever we drove by the parking area in the mid-morning or afternoon, we could see that parking was pretty limited. We only saw one or two spots open, if that. However, we found a spot fairly easily when we hiked the trail in the late afternoon (aka after 4pm).
When is the Best Season to Hike the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail?
As mentioned above, the best months to hike the trail are in July, August, and September. Why is that? Glacier National Park is located in northern Montana, which means it receives a lot of snow anytime from the late fall through the late spring seasons. The Going to the Sun Road, which is the road that holds the trailhead for St. Mary and Virginia Falls, is thus closed for most of the year.
I cannot give you exact dates that the Going to the Sun Road closes. Instead, I can offer general estimates. The exact dates will depend on the weather. The road normally opens for the season in early July. It then closes for the season around mid-October.
Hiking along the beginning of the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
3) St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail Directions
Where is the trailhead for the hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park? Where is St. Mary Falls located?
The trailhead for St. Mary and Virginia Falls is located along the eastern side of the Going to the Sun Road. For reference, it is about 20 minutes from the eastern border of the road or one hour and 20 minutes from the western border of the road.
Keep in mind that there are actually two trailheads for this trail, as mentioned above. The trailhead where you begin depends on whether you plan to drive or ride the park shuttle. Do not worry, for I will offer basic trail directions from each trailhead location below.
As a note, you cannot bring your pets with you on this trail or any other trail in Glacier National Park.
Directions from Saint Mary’s Falls Parking Lot
Take a look at the picture below from Google Maps that outlines the trail from the Saint Mary’s Falls parking lot. Remember – you start from here if you drive to the trailhead since this location has a parking lot (hence the name).
First, walk straight for 0.1 miles (~0.2 kilometers) or four minutes until you reach the first fork in the trail. Second, turn right and continue for 0.4 miles (~0.6 kilometers) or nine minutes. Third, reach another fork in the road and turn left. Keep walking straight for 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers) or 13 minutes until you reach St. Mary Falls. This portion of the trail passes another fork in the road to the right. Just keep hiking straight and you are good to go.
Fourth, do not turn around just yet! Do not forget that you still have Virginia Falls up ahead. Continue for another 0.8 miles (~1.3 kilometers) or 15 minutes to reach Virginia Falls. Fifth, there is one final fork in the path once you reach Virginia Falls. Bear left to head downstream from the falls where there is a bridge and you can admire Virginia Falls from below. Bear right to head to the base of Virginia Falls. Additionally, you can always walk down both paths, one after the other! If you choose only one, I recommend you keep right to visit the base of the falls.
Outline of St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail on Google Maps
Directions from Saint Mary Falls Trailhead
Take a look at the picture below from Google Maps that outlines the trail from the Saint Mary’s Falls Trailhead. Remember – you start from here if you ride the park shuttle to the trailhead since this location does not have a parking lot.
First, walk straight along the trail for 0.3 miles (~0.5 kilometers) or eight minutes. Second, bear right at the fork and continue for 0.5 miles (~0.8 kilometers) or 13 minutes until you reach St. Mary Falls. This portion of the trail passes another fork in the road to the right. Just keep hiking straight and you are good to go.
Now you can follow the same trail instructions as included above from the parking lot. The trails have met up at this point, but here is the information again for ease of access.
Third, continue for another 0.8 miles (~1.3 kilometer) or 15 minutes to reach Virginia Falls. Fourth, there is one final fork in the path once you reach Virginia Falls. Bear left to head downstream from the falls where there is a bridge and you can admire Virginia Falls from below. Bear right to head to the base of Virginia Falls. Additionally, you can always walk down both paths, one after the other! If you choose only one, I recommend you keep right to visit the base of the falls.
Outline of St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail on Google Maps
4) Trail Distance, Difficulty, and Scenery
How long is St Mary’s Falls hike? Is the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail family friendly?
The St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is a 3.7 mile (~six kilometer) out-and-back trail with around 450 feet (~137 meters) in elevation gain. It is considered to be a moderate route.
An average hiker can finish the trail in approximately one and a half hours. However, I recommend you plan at least two hours in your itinerary. Then you can have some time to sit and enjoy the waterfalls. You can even stop and have a picnic lunch or search for wildlife in the nearby Saint Mary Lake.
As a side note, there are a lot of chipmunks along the trail that have no sense of personal space. It seems as though people have fed them previously, for they came right up to us. One chipmunk even brushed the shoulder of my partner as we were leaning against a rock, enjoying the view. That being said, please do not feed the chipmunks or any other wildlife within Glacier National Park.
Is the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail a Family-Friendly Trail?
This trail is one of the best easy hikes in all of Glacier National Park. While it is considered to be a moderate route, hikers of all skill levels can still complete it. The elevation gain comes in spurts, so you are at least not hiking uphill the entire time. In other words, the trail is more similar to rolling hills – a little elevation here, a small descent there, etc.
View of Virginia Falls from downstream
Furthermore, you can always decide to only hike to St. Mary Falls and then turn around. Doing so would cut off approximately 1.4 miles (~2.3 kilometers) round trip. The trail length from the parking lot to St. Mary Falls is a total of 2.3 miles (~3.7 kilometers). Nevertheless, I recommend you hike all the way to Virginia Falls if possible, for it is quite stunning.
Description of the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
The trail itself is mainly made of dirt and loose gravel with some larger rocks here and there. Be sure to watch your footing so that you do not accidentally slip or trip. Moreover, I recommend you wear a good pair of hiking shoes.
As mentioned above, there is a bit of elevation gain along the trail. However, it is not all at once. The trail actually starts by going downhill before then having a few uphill spurts of elevation gain here and there. The last section of elevation gain occurs right before reaching Virginia Falls. All of that being said, keep in mind that you have to hike uphill for a bit on your return trip. Do not use all of your energy just to arrive at the falls – remember that you still have to get back to the trailhead from there.
The trail winds around the nearby shore of Saint Mary Lake for a bit at the beginning. At this point you are walking through some of the trees that were burned in the Reynolds Creek Fire of 2015. The trail then winds through the forest, alongside a few creeks, and past a bunch of smaller waterfalls as well as (of course) St. Mary and Virginia Falls. Moreover, the trail is in the full sun up until St. Mary Falls. Briefly after St. Mary Falls, it then winds through a forest for almost its entirety until reaching Virginia Falls.
While hiking along the trail, you can see multiple mountains all around you. Some of the most prominent are Little Chief Mountain at 9,546 feet (~2,910 meters), Almost-A-Dog Mountain at 8,922 feet (~2,719 meters), and Dusty Star Mountain at 8,573 feet (~2,613 meters).
Chipmunk munching on a snack near St. Mary Falls
5) When You Reach St. Mary Falls
You will know once you reach St. Mary Falls, for it is quite impressive. Moreover, there is a boardwalk bridge over the falls, which acts as the perfect viewing platform. The water flowing through St. Mary Falls comes from the St. Mary River, and it is a beautiful blue color. St. Mary Falls even has three layers to it, so you can enjoy the waterfall three times as much. The total height of the falls is 35 feet (~11 meters).
Can you swim at St. Mary Falls?
People often jump into and swim around at the base of the lower portion of the falls. We saw multiple people doing this when we visited. Moreover, one person even hung a hammock underneath the boardwalk bridge. As I am sure you can imagine, the water is quite cold. However, when will you next have the chance to swim around at the base of a waterfall in Glacier National Park?
Please keep in mind that any jumping or swimming activities around waterfalls can be dangerous. Moreover, never jump into the water right before a drop of a waterfall. The water is most likely moving faster than you expect, and you can easily get caught in its current and taken over the falls. That being said, you should never jump into the water before St. Mary Falls. Overall, use good judgment and have others watch out for you if you do decide to go for a swim.
View of St. Mary Falls from a bridge along the trail
Side Note: We Saw MOOSE
Before I go on any further droning on about the waterfalls, I have to mention that I saw two moose along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail. That is right – TWO MOOSE. After we parked and were about to start the trail, a few kind people mentioned that there were moose down in Saint Mary Lake. We then fast-walked down the first portion of the trail until we reached a good viewpoint of the lake. There they were. Two moose wading around in the water just beyond the shore of Saint Mary Lake.
I could not have been more excited. Did I expect to see two moose along this trail? Nope. However, if I learned one thing about wildlife in Glacier, it is this – seeing wildlife is usually quite random.
Spotted two moose in the water from the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
6) When You Reach Virginia Falls
How tall is Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park?
Virginia Falls flows from the Virginia Creek. Moreover, it is a multi-tiered waterfall. However, the first tier of the falls is by far the most impressive. The other tiers are quite small. Virginia Falls stands at 50 feet (~15 meters) tall. However, that number is really only counting the first (and largest) tier of the falls.
One of the coolest aspects of Virginia Falls is that the rocks at the bottom of the falls are made up of all different kinds of colors. However, it is a bit more difficult to swim at Virginia Falls compared to St. Mary Falls. I thus recommend you go for a dip at St. Mary Falls if you feel the need for a swim.
Moreover, a fair amount of people claim Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park as their favorite waterfall within the park. I would have to say it turned out to be my favorite as well. We even had the opportunity to experience it in complete privacy since no one else was around.
Experiencing Virginia Falls
You will know once you have reached Virginia Falls, for there is a sign along the trail. There is not a formal viewing platform or anything like that, though. Moreover, remember that there are two paths by which you can view the falls, as mentioned above. The path to the left leads to a bridge just downstream of Virginia Falls while the path to the right leads to the base of the falls.
If you head to the bridge downstream, then you might snap a couple of pictures before heading out. On the other hand, I recommend you also take time to explore around the waterfall if you head to the base of the falls. For example, you can walk around on the rocks by the falls until you find the best angle for a picture. The stream past the waterfall is pretty shallow, so you can even walk through that for a step or two if needed. Moreover, you can get up close and personal with the falls if you want a misty shower before starting your return hike.
Other Waterfalls Along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
The portion of the hike from St. Mary Falls to Virginia Falls passes by a bunch of waterfalls. While these waterfalls are quite beautiful, they do not compare to Virginia Falls. There is a sign for Virginia Falls, so that is how you will know once you have arrived. Do not turn around prematurely because you think one of the other waterfalls you pass is Virginia Falls. We almost did that, and it would have been a huge mistake.
Nevertheless, you can still take a moment to stop and appreciate the other waterfalls. We stopped by one of them to put our toes in the water and eat a snack. You can even find a few fall areas that offer good swimming holes. A lot of the falls are quite small yet have multiple drop sections, so they make these nice little pools of water.
View of Virginia Falls at the end of the trail
7) Nearby Attractions to the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
First and foremost, I want to note that the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail (as well as any other trail within Glacier National Park) can be closed due to bears at any time. Trust me on this, I truly mean any time. Bears wander around the park on their own schedule. I recommend you chat with a park ranger if the trail is closed and you want an estimated time of when it will reopen.
All of the attractions listed below are along the Going to the Sun Road, which means they are in the same section of Glacier as the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail. Moreover, they are all within a 30-minute drive or less.
What Attractions are Nearby St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls?
First, the Sun Point Nature Trail is only a three-minute drive east from the trailhead. You can begin this trail from the Siyeh Pass Trailhead if you want a longer hike and also to pass by Baring Falls. On the other hand, you can begin from the Going to the Sun Point if you want a quick and easy walk. Either way, the trail leads to an overlook of Saint Mary Lake with mountains looming just beyond the shore.
Second, the Wild Goose Island Overlook is just a seven-minute drive down the road from the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail. This is the perfect addition to your itinerary if you want a quick and easy way to achieve a beautiful view. The overlook offers a view of Wild Goose Island, which sits in the middle of Saint Mary Lake.
Third, the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail is a 15-minute drive west from the waterfall trailhead. This trail turned out to be my favorite trail in all of Glacier National Park. The trail winds through a valley before reaching a viewpoint area of Hidden Lake. At the overlook area you can also see Bearhat Mountain just behind the lake as well as rolling mountains + valleys in the distance to the right. However, what made this trail my favorite is that we hiked it at sunrise. The sun was just beginning to peak over the mountains behind Logan Pass as we arrived at the overlook. It then shone on Bearhat Mountain, turning it almost a red color.
One of the other waterfalls along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
8) Recommended Items to Bring
What should you pack on the hike to St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls?
1. Water bottle: No matter the length of the trail, I always recommend you bring at least one water bottle with you. This trail is over three miles (~4.8 kilometers) long and has over 400 feet (~122 meters) in elevation gain. You will definitely appreciate having water to drink once you pass St. Mary Falls and then realize you still have to keep hiking to reach Virginia Falls.
2. Bathing suit + travel towel: St. Mary Falls is a great place to go for a swim if you are brave enough to withstand the cold water. We saw people jumping off the rocks into the base of the lower portion of St. Mary Falls when we hiked the trail. There is a nicely-sized pool of water there, so plenty of room to jump in and swim around.
Hygiene
3. Sunscreen: As mentioned above, part of the trail is in the full sun while part of the trail is shaded by the forest. You thus should put on sunscreen before setting out on the hike so that you do not burn. The sun can still burn you in Montana, especially if you have fair skin.
4. Bug spray: The trail can get a bit buggy, especially the portions around the falls. To save yourself from having to swat away bugs, put on bug spray before you start hiking. If you do not like the smell or feeling of bug spray, then opt for a mosquito repellent bracelet.
Hiking Items for the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
5. Bear spray: It is important that you always carry bear spray with you in Glacier National Park, no matter the hiking trail. While bears are not commonly sighted along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, that does not mean they cannot wander onto the trail at any point in time.
6. Hiking shoes: I mentioned above that the trail is mainly dirt + loose gravel for the entire way with some larger rocks here and there. It is thus important to wear hiking shoes so that you have the appropriate grip and traction to hike to and from the falls in a safe manner.
Amflip Pop-Up Camping Tent set up in Glacier National Park
7. Hiking poles: There is 450 feet (~137 meters) of elevation gain along the trail, so hiking poles can come in handy. Moreover, the largest downhill / uphill sections (depending if you are hiking to the falls or returning from them) are at the very beginning and the very end.
8. Optional – crampons: Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of your shoes so that you can then hike on trails with snow and/or ice. I recommend you research trail conditions before you head out to see if you need crampons. Snow can remain on trails up until July in Glacier.
9. Binoculars: Remember – we spotted two moose along this trail. While we could see them without any assistance, a pair of binoculars would have given us an even closer look.
Camping Items
10. Amflip Pop-Up Camping Tent: If you are looking for a tent with an easy set up that is also durable, then look no further. You can set up this tent within five to 10 minutes. It just pops up, which means you do not have to fight against any poles. Moreover, it kept my partner and I sheltered from the rain when we camped in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. We endured many rain showers and a few thunderstorms.
11. AmazonBasics Waterproof Camping Tarp: Many people set up a tarp over their tent to act as an additional layer of protection from the rain. You can also set it up underneath your tent to act as an additional layer of protection (or cushioning) from the ground.
12. Elegear Double Sleeping Pad: This sleeping pad fits two people, has a built-in pillow, and operates with a foot pump. What does all of that mean? It is the perfect sleeping pad for your next family or romantic getaway. Simply unroll the sleeping pad, use your foot to pump it up, and enjoy a good night’s rest.
13. Sleepingo Double Sleeping Bag: Do not forget that you also need a sleeping bag! This is even more important if you are camping somewhere with colder temperatures. We would have been miserable without this sleeping bag during our trip to Glacier. Even though we visited in August, temperatures still dropped to the high 40s Fahrenheit (~4.4 Celsius) at night.
Elegear Double Sleeping Pad set up in our tent
9) Bear Safety Tips
Should you carry bear spray on the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail?
Yes, you should carry bear spray with you while hiking the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail. Moreover, you should carry bear spray with you everywhere you go in Glacier National Park. The park exists in bear territory, and that includes both grizzly bears as well as black bears.
NPS General Safety Tips
For a detailed list of safety tips, visit the NPS webpage on bear safety. Otherwise, I offer a general overview of some of the most important tips here.
First, always carry bear spray. I mentioned this above, but I am mentioning it again because it is that important. Second, do not approach bears and maintain a comfortable distance of at least 100 yards (~90 meters). Third, try to not surprise bears, for that can cause them to feel frightened and thus the need to protect themselves. One of the best ways to alert bears of your presence is to make noise. You can sing, play music, talk loudly, etc. Fourth, hike with others instead of by yourself.
Safety Tips for a Bear Encounter
Let us first go over some signs of aggression vs. signs of curiosity for bears. Signs of aggression for bears can include (but are not limited to) lowering or swaying their heads, clacking their teeth, huffing, or laying back their ears. Signs of curiosity for bears can include (but are not limited to) approaching you or standing on their hind legs.
One of the other waterfalls along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
If a bear approaches you with one of the signs of curiosity mentioned above, then have your group huddle together and make noise. This should likely deter the bear from approaching you further. If a bear approaches you with one of the signs of aggression mentioned above, then back away slowly while talking in a quiet and calm voice.
You should be ready and able to use your bear spray in both situations if it becomes necessary. This means your bear spray needs to be easily accessible at all times while hiking. Some people put it in the outside pocket of their backpack while others clip it to their belt.
Safety Tips for a Bear Attack Without Bear Spray
This is the situation in which you never want to find yourself. If you listened to my advice above, then you should not have to worry about this because you are carrying bear spray.
However, if a bear attacks while you do not have bear spray, then you need to protect your stomach and neck. Fall to the ground on your stomach with your hands clasped behind your neck. Most likely the bear will determine you are not a threat and stop attacking.
A moose wading in the water at Saint Mary Lake
10) General Glacier National Park Information
Now that we have gone over all of the logistics for the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, it is time to go over some general logistics for Glacier National Park.
However, let me first try and further convince you to plan a trip to Glacier if you are not convinced already. Glacier has a little bit of everything – easy as well as challenging hiking trails, stunning viewpoints just off the side of the road, glacier lakes, a vast array of wildlife, lakes ranging in color from crystal clear to turquoise blue, waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, fishing opportunities, and so much more.
That being said, there is something for everyone in the park. You can even split up if one person wants to spend the day fly fishing in a lake while another wants to complete the more challenging Iceberg Lake Trail. Then come back together later in the afternoon to complete a more relaxing trail, for example the Fishercap Lake Trail. As a bonus, moose are commonly sighted in the lake.
Where is Glacier National Park Located?
You have to travel to northwestern Montana to visit Glacier National Park. I know, it is a bit out of the way for most people, especially considering that you are likely not able to drive to the park. Instead, you might have to fly into a nearby airport and rent a car. Unfortunately there is no airport within an hours’ drive of the park. Nevertheless, that is part of the charm of Glacier. It is surrounded by the beauty of nature to such an extent that there is not even a nearby airport.
The closest airport to the park is the Kalispell City Airport at two hours southwest. The next closest airports are the Great Falls International Airport at three hours southeast and the Missoula Montana Airport at four hours southwest. Choose whichever airport is the most convenient for you (and offers the best prices for flights + rental cars).
As a note, I used the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail as the destination when I calculated the driving time from each airport. Your driving time could be longer (or shorter if you are lucky) depending on your final destination.
What are the Most Visited Sections of the Park?
You can split up the park in a few different ways, but it is just important that you understand the general layout. However, I find that looking at the park with five sections is the easiest: (1) Going to the Sun Road (2) Many Glacier (3) Two Medicine (4) North Fork (5) Goat Haunt.
One of the other waterfalls along the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
First, Going to the Sun Road is arguably the most popular section of the park. You might have seen videos on social media at one time of people driving along the road, for the road itself is an attraction due to the panoramic views it offers. My top recommendations along the Going to the Sun Road include the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail at Logan Pass , the Avalanche Lake Trail near West Glacier, and of course the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail near St. Mary.
Second, Many Glacier is the next most popular section of the park due to the fact it holds one of the park’s most popular trails: Grinnell Glacier. While I did not get to hike this trail during my trip to Glacier, I did hike the nearby Iceberg Lake Trail. I was not disappointed with my decision, for the trail leads to a turquoise-colored lake with a mountain looming just beyond the shore. Moreover, hike along Fishercap Lake Trail if you are looking for one of the best easy hikes in Glacier as well as the chance to spot moose.
What are the Least Visited Sections of the Park?
Third, Two Medicine is less visited than the above two sections mainly due to the fact it does not offer as many attractions. It also does not hold any of the park’s top five hiking trails. However, Two Medicine Lake is quite stunning as the sky + mountains often reflect in the water. Moreover, the rocks along the shore of the lake are quite colorful. I recommend you hike to Paradise Point for a viewpoint of the lake. Additionally, I recommend you hike to Running Eagle Falls to see a unique waterfall with an interesting history.
Fourth, North Fork is located in the northwestern section of Glacier, which makes it a bit more difficult to access. Moreover, the road into North Fork is a dirt road. A lot of people thus do not venture here during their trip to Glacier. However, I recommend Bowman Lake as well as the Hidden Meadow Trails if you plan to visit.
Fifth, Goat Haunt is generally the least visited section of the park. You will understand why once I tell you that there are only two ways to access Goat Haunt. First, you can embark on an overnight backpacking trip from a more accessible location in Glacier. Second, you can ride a scenic cruise starting from Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada.
What are the Opening Hours for Glacier National Park?
While Glacier National Park is open 24/7, that does not mean you can access it at all times. Since the park is located in northern Montana, it is closed for the majority of the year due to weather conditions (aka a lot of snowfall).
As mentioned above, the best months to hike the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail are in July, August, and September. I cannot give you exact dates that the Going to the Sun Road, which is the road with access to the waterfall trail, closes. Those dates depend on the weather, and I do not have the power to control the weather (though sometimes I wish I did). Nevertheless, the road usually opens for the season in early July and then closes again in mid-October.
Do I Need an Entrance Pass for Glacier National Park?
Yes, Glacier National Park requires an entrance pass for all visitors. This should not be a surprise, for most national parks in the US require visitors to obtain an entrance pass for a fee (usually around $20 to $35). Visit the nps.gov Glacier webpage for detailed information on Glacier’s fees, though for reference a private vehicle has to pay an entrance fee of $35.
A moose wading in the water at Saint Mary Lake
If you plan to visit multiple parks within the year, might I recommend a national park annual pass? The annual pass offers free entrance to all US national parks for one year, though you first have to pay $80 to buy the annual pass. Nevertheless, the pass pays for itself after a visit to around three parks. You can thus visit Glacier National Park to hike the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail in addition to visiting Acadia National Park to hike the Beehive Trail and Zion National Park to conquer one of its challenging trails.
Do I Need Vehicle Reservations for Glacier National Park?
Yes, Glacier National Park requires vehicle reservations for four different sections: (1) North Fork (2) Two Medicine (3) Many Glacier (4) Going to the Sun Road. The park requires vehicle reservations from 6am to 3pm from the end of May through the beginning of September.
Moreover, each vehicle reservation is separate. This means you need to purchase a Going to the Sun Road vehicle reservation to hike the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail. You then need to purchase a separate Many Glacier vehicle reservation to hike the Iceberg Lake Trail. Each reservation is $2. Visit the nps.gov Glacier webpage for more detailed information.
Here is a tip – the only way to avoid the vehicle reservation system is to enter the park areas outside of the required vehicle reservation times and dates. For example, enter the park before 6am or after 3pm. You do not need a vehicle reservation at those times.
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If you are heading to Washington state next, then why not hit another national park: Day Trip from Seattle to North Cascades National Park.
Trust me, North Cascades is worth it: Reasons to Visit North Cascades National Park.
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