Natural Attraction

Baring Falls

Natural Attraction★ 4.7
Baring Falls at Glacier National Park cascades down rugged rock cliffs with a pine forest backdrop and rushing pool.

Turquoise pool glints beneath a 25–30 ft cascade framed by red-tinted bedrock. A footbridge offers a view of the falls, with Upper Baring Falls forming a shorter 12 ft tier nearby. Water from melting alpine ice sculpts this cascade through ongoing erosion, revealing the rock's layered history. The force at work is erosion by glacier-fed water—soft layers yield first, leaving harder rocks to persist.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates
Latitude 48.6°N, Longitude -113.5955°
Accessibility
Stairs and rocky sections; not wheelchair-accessible

Conditions & safety

Permits Required
0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions
St. Mary Falls; Virginia Falls; Siyeh Pass Trail; Piegan Pass Trail
Nearby Facilities
Sun Point Visitor Center; dining in St. Mary
Best Time To Visit
Summer, from early June through late October when Going-to-the-Sun Road is open; morning light enhances the turquoise pool; avoid peak mid-summer crowds.
Tips Advice
  • Parking fills very early—arrive before 7am or use the park shuttle.
  • Look for the turquoise pool set against red bedrock; stay on the trail.
  • The viewing footbridge has open cliff edges; keep a safe distance.
  • Bear spray is recommended; know how to use it; sturdy footwear advised.
Insider Tips
  • Parking fills very early—use shuttle or visit in the shoulder season
  • Morning light highlights the turquoise pool
  • Stay back from cliff edges
  • Look for American dippers along Baring Creek

More details

Park Area
Glacier National Park
Family Friendly Notes
Sturdy footwear; keep children away from cliff edges; stay on trail
Recent Updates
Parking remains tight; shuttle recommended during peak season
Attraction Type
Waterfall
Elevation Feet
4900
Distance From Entrance
0.7 miles round-trip
Accessibility Level
Not wheelchair-friendly; stairs and rocky sections.
How To Get There
From Sunrift Gorge on Going-to-the-Sun Road, follow the Sunrift Gorge Trail about 0.7 miles round-trip to a footbridge overlooking Baring Falls.
Parking Availability
Small to medium lot at Sunrift Gorge; fills quickly in the morning; overflow parking or park shuttle available.
Road Type
Paved
Seasonal Access
Summer through late fall; Going-to-the-Sun Road typically open June–October.
Entry Fees
Included with park entrance fee
Main Features
Waterfall, turquoise glacier-fed pool, red-tinted bedrock, footbridge viewing, 0.7-mile hike
What Youll See
Red-tinted sedimentary bedrock, turquoise pool, 25–30 ft waterfall with a 12 ft upper tier, footbridge viewing, exposed cliff edges along Baring Creek
Unique Characteristics
Turquoise glacier-fed pool set against red Precambrian sedimentary rock; two-tier cascade on a short hike
Safety Considerations
Gravity: exposed edges and slippery rocks; Temperatures: glacier water is extremely cold; Wildlife: bears; carry bear spray and know how to use it; stay on marked paths; wear sturdy footwear.
Best Viewpoints
Footbridge vantage near the falls; viewpoints along Baring Creek
Photo Opportunities
Morning light on turquoise pool; contrasting red rock; spray creating rainbows in mist
Photography Spots
Footbridge over the falls; lower viewing area along Baring Creek; sunrise shots from near Sunrift Gorge
Stargazing Quality
Good with clear skies; limited light pollution away from the road
Sunrise Sunset Quality
Alpenglow possible at sunrise
Visitor Center Present
1
Restrooms Available
1
Restroom Type
Sun Point Visitor Center restrooms (flush toilets)
Picnic Areas
0
Interpretive Signs
0
Water Available
0
Guided Tours Available
0
Trailheads Here
Sunrift Gorge
Connecting Trails
Siyeh Pass Trail; Piegan Pass Trail; St. Mary Falls Trail
Nearby Services
St. Mary dining; Sun Point Visitor Center
Common Wildlife
American dippers; deer; black bears
Wildflower Peak
Not listed
Fall Colors Peak
Not listed
Geological Formation Type
Sedimentary bedrock with layered strata; water-eroded waterfall
Scientific Interest
Rock flour color; differential erosion; Precambrian bedrock
Road Opening Dates
Going-to-the-Sun Road open roughly June–October; Sunrift Gorge area follows road status
Snow Lingering
Snow may linger on shaded slopes into early summer
Winter Access
Limited; winter access primarily by snow routes; not suitable for vehicle travel
Best Visit Times
Shoulder seasons; weekday mornings often quieter
Best Season
Summer
Weather Patterns
Summers can bring heat with afternoon thunderstorms; mornings are cool and misty near the falls
Peak Fill Times
Very early morning; parking fills quickly during peak season
Busiest Season
Mid-summer (July–August)
Waterfall Height
25-30 ft; Upper Baring Falls ~12 ft
Waterfall Flow Rate
Variable with snowmelt
Fishing Species
Not listed
Fishing Nearby
0
Swimming Allowed
0
Boating Allowed
0
Climbing Areas
0
Review Summary
Visitors celebrate the turquoise pool against red rock and the short, rewarding hike; parking can be a bottleneck; overall the site delivers a concise geologic and visual payoff

Location

Baring Falls sits beside a clear glacier-fed lake with towering Glacier National Park peaks in the background.Baring Falls along a rushing Glacier National Park stream, framed by green trees and jagged mountains.Baring Falls wooden bridge crosses a rushing glacier-fed stream beneath rugged cliffs and lush shrubs in Glacier National Park.Baring Falls landscape at Glacier National Park with a charred forest foreground and towering mountain peaks in the distance.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?

Yes. Parking at Sunrift Gorge fills quickly, especially in peak season; consider the park shuttle or visiting in the shoulder months.

Is the 0.7-mile hike worth the effort?

Yes. The turquoise pool, red bedrock, and the waterfall provide a compact but high-contrast geologic display.

Can I view Baring Falls from the Sunrift Gorge area without hiking?

A footbridge offers a viewing vantage near the falls, but the best full view requires the short trail.

Is bear spray recommended here?

Yes. Bears are a possibility; carry bear spray and know how to use it; stay on trails and maintain distance.

Is the trail accessible for those with limited mobility?

No. The route involves stairs and rocky sections, not wheelchair-friendly.

Vulture Peak

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Elk Mountain

360° summit views over Belt rocks; a rugged, glacier-carved ascent.

Numa Peak

Numa Peak rises above Bowman Lake; Numa Ridge Lookout reveals vast alpine views.

Pyramid Peak

Granite peak sharpened by glacial ice; scrambling to Pyramid Peak from Pyramid Pass.

Grace Lake

Grace Lake: glacial cirque lake at 3,966 ft, reached via the Logging Lake Trail.

Mount Vaught

8,854 ft peak in the Livingston Range; scrambling ascent; Belt Supergroup rocks thrust by Lewis Overthrust.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated December 2025. Report an issue.