Glacier National Park waterfalls range from roadside marvels to backcountry gems hidden in glacially carved valleys.
Running Eagle Falls is the best waterfall hike for most visitors — flat, 0.6 miles, wheelchair-accessible, and does not require the Going-to-the-Sun Road. For something more dramatic, Virginia Falls delivers a multi-tiered 50-foot cascade at just 3.1 miles round trip.
Glacier National Park has more than 200 named waterfalls fed by snowmelt, glaciers, and alpine lakes. Nine are reachable on day hikes ranging from 0.3 to 6.7 miles. This guide ranks each by difficulty, tells you when it is accessible, and flags which ones need the GTTS Road open — a detail most guides omit.
Key Takeaways
Entrance fee: $35/vehicle (2026). Valid 7 days.
Going-to-the-Sun Road opens mid-June to early July — trails dependent on it are not accessible before then.
Bear spray is required at all Many Glacier and Two Medicine trailheads.
Vehicle reservations for GTTS Road eliminated in 2026 — ticketed shuttle system starts July 1.
#1 Best Easy Hike
Running Eagle Falls (Trick Falls)
0.6 miround trip
Minimalelevation gain
Easydifficulty
15-30 minest. time
Year-roundseason
Wheelchair accessible No GTTS required Two Medicine area
Why we picked it: The only waterfall hike in Glacier fully accessible to all abilities — plus the trick falls phenomenon (upper fall vanishes in late summer through underground limestone channels) makes it fascinating for all ages.
Running Eagle Falls is 1.1 miles west of the Two Medicine entrance station. The trail is paved, flat, and takes most visitors under 30 minutes. The falls are technically two in one: a year-round lower fall and an upper fall that appears only when spring snowmelt is high — hence “Trick Falls,” per NPS.gov.
Insider tip: Visit in late August to see the upper fall vanish as water dives underground. Come in June to see both tiers at full force.
Multi-tier waterfalls are the signature of Glacier National Park — Virginia Falls is one of the finest examples on the east side.
Virginia Falls
3.1 miround trip
472 ftelevation gain
Moderatedifficulty
1.5-2 hrsest. time
June-Sepseason
Passes St. Mary Falls GTTS Road required East side
Why we picked it: Virginia Falls delivers a spectacular multi-tiered cascade — 50-foot main drop plus secondary chute and lower cascade — and the route passes St. Mary Falls on the way, giving you two waterfalls in one hike.
The trailhead is at the St. Mary Falls shuttle stop, 10.6 miles west of the St. Mary entrance. St. Mary Falls comes first at 0.8 miles, then continue uphill 0.7 miles to Virginia Falls at 4,825 feet elevation. Peak flow is June through July, per NPS.gov.
Insider tip: The 2015 Reynolds Creek Fire removed tree cover — bring sun protection and extra water, as shade is minimal mid-day.
Old-growth cedar forest GTTS Road required West side
Why we picked it: The Trail of the Cedars boardwalk through ancient cedar-hemlock forest leads to turquoise Avalanche Lake ringed by dramatic cliffs and waterfalls — the signature west-side hike with 29,000+ AllTrails ratings.
The boardwalk section is 0.9 miles and takes 30 minutes. For the full payoff — Avalanche Lake with its waterfall backdrop — continue 2 more miles uphill. The lake turquoise color comes from glacial rock flour suspended in the water, per NPS.gov.
Insider tip: No shuttle service at Avalanche Creek Trailhead in 2026 — drive and park. Arrive by 7 AM on weekends in July/August to get a spot.
Glacier glacially carved valleys funnel snowmelt into some of the most photogenic waterfalls in the Rockies.
St. Mary Falls
1.6 miround trip
260 ftelevation gain
Easydifficulty
0.5-1 hrest. time
June-Sepseason
Mostly downhill to falls Shuttle accessible GTTS Road required
Why we picked it: The path to St. Mary Falls is almost entirely downhill making it easy for families with young children. The return uphill is the only real effort — an ideal first waterfall hike for beginners.
Trailhead is at the St. Mary Falls shuttle stop on Going-to-the-Sun Road. The trail drops through forested terrain to the falls, where a footbridge provides a front-row view of the cascade, per NPS.gov. Extend easily by continuing uphill to Virginia Falls.
Insider tip: Take the boat tour from Rising Sun — it drops you closer to the trailhead and eliminates the parking scramble entirely.
No GTTS required Many Glacier area Bear spray required
Why we picked it: Apikuni Falls is the best short-but-challenging option in Many Glacier — 700 ft of gain in just 1 mile feels genuinely earned, and it sees far fewer crowds than Iceberg Lake or Grinnell Glacier.
Trailhead is 2.8 miles west of the Many Glacier entrance at the Poia Lake Trailhead. The trail climbs steeply through mixed forest and wildflower meadows. Many Glacier is prime grizzly habitat — carry bear spray, per NPS.gov.
Insider tip: Many Glacier Road had construction closures through May 2026. Confirm road access on NPS.gov before driving out.
GTTS Road required Via Sunrift Gorge St. Mary Lake views
Why we picked it: Baring Falls is the ideal 30-minute detour on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. A 25-foot cascade sits just 0.7 miles from the Sunrift Gorge pullout, with St. Mary Lake visible in the background.
Park at the Sunrift Gorge pullout on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The short trail drops through pines to the base of the falls. A longer loop (2.8 miles) connects Baring Falls to St. Mary Falls via the lakeshore. Most visitors combine it with Sunrift Gorge as a single stop, per AllTrails.
Insider tip: The Sunrift Gorge pullout is a designated shuttle stop — ride the park shuttle and walk to both Sunrift Gorge and Baring Falls as a combined stop.
No GTTS required Many Glacier area Bear spray required
Why we picked it: Ptarmigan Falls sees a fraction of the crowds that pack Grinnell Glacier and Iceberg Lake, yet delivers the same above-treeline terrain and prime wildlife habitat that defines Many Glacier hiking.
Start from behind the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn in Many Glacier. The trail climbs steeply the first quarter-mile, then settles into a moderate grade to the falls at 2.5 miles. Grizzly closures are common through late June, per NPS.gov.
Insider tip: Check trail status at the Many Glacier Ranger Station before you go — this trail closes for bear activity more often than Apikuni Falls. Hike before 8 AM for best access and wildlife sightings.
The Two Medicine valley is one of Glacier most undervisited areas — and one of its most rewarding for hikers seeking solitude.
Rockwell Falls
6.7 miround trip
419 ftelevation gain
Moderatedifficulty
2.5-3 hrsest. time
July-Sepseason
No GTTS required Two Medicine area Dual waterfalls
Why we picked it: Rockwell Falls delivers two waterfalls — a 30-40 ft main drop plus a secondary 100-ft cascade — on one of Glacier longest flat-terrain hikes. Two Medicine valley is dramatically less crowded than comparable trails elsewhere.
Start from the Two Medicine area on the South Shore Trail. The route follows Two Medicine Lake shoreline before climbing gently to the falls, crossing Paradise Creek on a footbridge. Two Medicine is accessible without the GTTS Road, ideal for early and late season, per NPS.gov.
Insider tip: Take the Two Medicine Lake boat tour one-way and hike back to cut 3 miles off the distance and gain stunning lake views.
GTTS Road required Roadside viewpoint 2nd tallest in park
Why we picked it: At 492 feet, Bird Woman Falls is the second-tallest waterfall in Glacier and one of the most dramatic sights on the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road — visible from a roadside pullout with no strenuous hiking required.
Bird Woman Falls tumbles between Mount Oberlin and Mount Cannon, visible from a pullout west of Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Peak flow is June and early July. Binoculars significantly improve the experience, per NPS.gov.
Insider tip: The GTTS Road does not open to Logan Pass until mid-June or later. Check road conditions at NPS.gov/glac before planning your trip around this viewpoint.
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Many Glacier area trails — including Apikuni Falls and Ptarmigan Falls — require bear spray and offer prime wildlife-viewing opportunities.
The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle (valid 7 days), per NPS.gov. No additional permit is required for any day hike on this list. Running Eagle Falls, Apikuni Falls, Ptarmigan Falls, and Rockwell Falls are accessible without the Going-to-the-Sun Road — essential for early-season (May-June) or late-season (October) visits.
Peak waterfall volume is June through mid-July, when snowmelt is at maximum flow. By August and September, flows decrease but trails are drier and less icy. Many Glacier and Two Medicine areas are accessible via their own roads, which typically open in late May or early June, per NPS.gov.
For visiting Glacier in June, St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls can often be accessed before Logan Pass opens. For July visits, all nine trails are typically accessible. See also our Fire Lookouts in Glacier guide for more unique hikes.
What is the easiest waterfall hike in Glacier National Park?
Running Eagle Falls (Trick Falls) in the Two Medicine area is the easiest — just 0.6 miles round trip on a flat, paved, wheelchair-accessible path. It does not require the Going-to-the-Sun Road and is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Which waterfall hikes do not require the Going-to-the-Sun Road?
Four hikes on this list are accessible without the GTTS Road: Running Eagle Falls and Rockwell Falls (Two Medicine area), Apikuni Falls and Ptarmigan Falls (Many Glacier area). These are your best options before mid-June and after the road closes in October.
When is the best time to see waterfalls in Glacier National Park?
Peak waterfall flow is June through mid-July when snowmelt is highest. Bird Woman Falls, Virginia Falls, and St. Mary Falls are most impressive in this window. By August, flows decrease but trails are drier. Most waterfalls are frozen by November, per NPS.gov.
Do I need bear spray for waterfall hikes in Glacier?
Bear spray is required (not just recommended) for all trails in Many Glacier — including Apikuni Falls and Ptarmigan Falls. It is strongly advised everywhere else in the park. Glacier has one of the highest grizzly bear densities in the Lower 48. Carry it accessible, not buried in your pack.
What is the entrance fee for Glacier National Park in 2026?
The 2026 entrance fee is $35 per private vehicle (valid 7 days), $20 per person on foot or bicycle, and $30 per motorcycle. An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entry to all national parks and pays for itself in 3 visits, per NPS.gov.
YourNPGuide Team National Parks Research Team
Our team synthesizes NPS official data, ranger station reports, trail condition updates, and firsthand visitor accounts to produce accurate, actionable guides for every national park visit.
How We Researched This Guide
Sources
NPS.gov official trail and road condition pages for Glacier National Park
AllTrails trail data and verified user reports (2025-2026)
HikingInGlacier.com trail-specific distance and elevation data
Glacier National Park Conservancy road condition updates
Data CheckedMarch 2026
Research TypeSynthesis of official NPS sources and verified trail databases
Limitations
Trail conditions change seasonally. Bear activity closures are dynamic. Always confirm current trail status at a ranger station or NPS.gov before departing.
Planning your Glacier visit? Browse all of our Glacier National Park guides — from seasonal road conditions to campground reservations.
