Best Waterfall Hikes in Glacier National Park

Running Eagle Falls, also called Trick Falls, is the best quick stop for families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a waterfall without committing to a mountain hike. The route is 0.6 mi round trip, with minimal elevation gain, and most visitors finish in 15-30 min.

The approach is short, flat, and paved, with a viewing area near the falls. Its access does not depend on Going-to-the-Sun Road, so it remains one of the more useful choices when the alpine road is closed or the season is just getting started. The path is a strong accessible option, but visitors should still check current surface and facility conditions with NPS if they need a specific mobility accommodation.

The waterfall is unusual enough to justify the stop even after seeing larger falls elsewhere. In spring, water can pour over the upper ledge and emerge from a cave partway down at the same time. The Blackfeet name is Pitamakan, and Two Medicine lies within the Blackfeet Nation’s ancestral territory.

Virginia Falls is the payoff for a classic St. Mary valley outing, and it pairs naturally with St. Mary Falls. The route to Virginia Falls is 3.1 mi round trip with 472 ft of elevation gain and usually takes 1.5-2 hrs, depending on how long you linger at the lower falls and junctions.

Most visitors reach Virginia Falls by starting near the St. Mary Falls trail access and continuing beyond St. Mary Falls. The climb is steady rather than technical, but the return is uphill in places, and wet rocks, roots, bridges, and changing creek levels deserve more attention than the mileage suggests.

Virginia Falls sits at 4,825 feet. The upper section has limited shade, especially where the 2015 Reynolds Creek Fire removed tree cover, so mid-day hikers should carry water and sun protection. The route requires access through the St. Mary side of Going-to-the-Sun Road, subject to road and trail conditions.

This is a waterfall-viewing destination as much as it is a single waterfall hike. The Trail of the Cedars leads through a cool, old cedar grove near Avalanche Creek, then the route continues toward Avalanche Lake, where waterfalls thread down the cliffs around the lake. NPS lists the Avalanche Lake Trail itself as 2.3 mi one way (about 4.6 mi round trip) with 741 ft of elevation gain, in addition to the separate roughly 1.9-mile round-trip Trail of the Cedars loop; the combined outing generally takes 2-3 hrs.

The first section feels unusually gentle for Glacier, with boardwalk and forest scenery that suits families and first-time hikers. Beyond the boardwalk, the Avalanche Lake trail adds a sustained climb, roots, rocks, and occasional wet footing. Turn around at the boardwalk or at any safe point if the longer route is not a good fit.

In 2026, Avalanche Lake and Trail of the Cedars are not accessible by the park shuttle. Drive to the Avalanche Creek area and plan around parking; on July and August weekends, arriving by 7 AM gives you the best chance of finding a space. The route depends on west-side Going-to-the-Sun Road access.

St. Mary Falls is the shorter, more approachable half of the St. Mary Falls–Virginia Falls outing. The route is 1.6 mi round trip with 260 ft of elevation gain and usually takes 0.5-1 hr, making it a good choice when the group wants a real waterfall but not a full afternoon on trail.

The trail is mostly downhill on the way to the falls, which means the return climb arrives after the viewing stop. Expect uneven ground, roots, bridges, and potentially slick rock near the water. Keep children back from the current and stay off wet rocks; Glacier’s water is cold, fast, and one of the park’s serious hazards.

From St. Mary Falls, continue uphill toward Virginia Falls if the group has the legs and the trail is open. The two falls work naturally as one hike, while the shorter turnaround keeps St. Mary Falls accessible to visitors with less time or energy. Shuttle and road access vary by season, so use the current St. Mary transportation information rather than assuming every stop is operating.

Apikuni Falls is a short Many Glacier hike with a bigger feel than the mileage suggests. The route is 2.0 mi round trip with 700 ft of elevation gain and usually takes 1-1.5 hrs. It climbs quickly into open terrain, so the effort is concentrated rather than spread across a long valley walk.

The trail is rocky and exposed in places, with loose footing and little shade. It delivers high mountain scenery without the commitment of Iceberg Lake or Grinnell Glacier, but the steep return and wildlife habitat make it a better fit for hikers who are comfortable with a firm climb and paying attention at blind corners.

Many Glacier access is independent of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Check the Many Glacier area page and Trail Status Reports before driving; temporary closures, construction, weather, or bear activity can affect the valley and individual trails. Carry bear spray accessibly, make noise in dense vegetation, and keep children close.

Baring Falls is one of the best short waterfall stops along the St. Mary side of Going-to-the-Sun Road. The shortest route is 0.7 mi with 111 ft of elevation gain and takes about 30-45 min, depending on whether you continue exploring the nearby shoreline and gorge.

The usual approach is from the Sunrift Gorge area, where the trail drops through forest toward the falls. The route can be paired with St. Mary Falls or other St. Mary valley stops, but parking and shuttle operations are seasonal and capacity-driven. Do not count on finding a space at the exact pullout during the busiest part of the day.

Baring Falls is a hike, not merely a roadside glance, but it is short enough to fit between larger destinations. The water can be strongest in the snowmelt season, while late summer generally offers drier footing and a calmer stop.

Ptarmigan Falls is a longer Many Glacier valley hike that rewards a steady pace rather than a dramatic summit push. The route is 5.2 mi round trip with 757 ft of elevation gain and generally takes 2-2.5 hrs.

The trail climbs through forest and open sections toward the falls, with roots, rocks, and seasonal wet spots underfoot. It is a reasonable family goal for hikers who are comfortable with the distance and return climb, but it is not the quick waterfall stop that the name can suggest.

Many Glacier trails sit in active bear habitat. Check the ranger station and Trail Status Reports before hiking, especially when notices mention wildlife activity or closures. Hike in a group when possible, make noise, avoid moving silently near streams and dense vegetation, and do not hike very early, very late, or after dark.

Rockwell Falls makes the Two Medicine list for hikers who want a quieter valley outing rather than a quick roadside stop. The route is 6.7 mi round trip with 419 ft of elevation gain and usually takes 2.5-3 hrs, so the distance is the main commitment while the grade stays comparatively moderate.

Two Medicine is Glacier’s least-visited major valley, and that is the point: the trail follows the lake and valley floor beneath Rising Wolf Mountain with fewer crowds than the park’s headline destinations. Watch your footing around wet ground and creek crossings, and keep a turnaround time in mind because the return distance is substantial even when the climbing is not.

The Two Medicine Lake boat tour can shorten the walk when the current concession schedule and landing arrangement allow it. Confirm the operating day, route, and actual hiking distance before booking around that shortcut. Two Medicine does not require Going-to-the-Sun Road access.

Bird Woman Falls is primarily a roadside viewpoint, not a waterfall hike. It drops from a hanging valley between Mount Oberlin and Mount Cannon, and the overlook takes roughly 10-15 min when the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open and traffic allows a safe stop.

The viewpoint sits on the west side of Logan Pass along the high road, so access depends on the road’s seasonal opening, weather, construction, and current traffic controls. The alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road near Logan Pass has no dependable calendar opening date and can open anywhere from late spring to midsummer depending on snowpack—check current NPS road status before planning around this viewpoint.

Use the pullout and barriers, keep children close, and never step into the roadway or onto unstable edges for a better angle. A telephoto lens or binoculars gives a better look without approaching wildlife or the drop.