Baring Falls

+2 more

Type

Waterfall

Accessibility

Not wheelchair-friendly; stairs and rocky sections.

Best Season

Summer

Busiest Season

Mid-summer (July–August)

Features

Waterfall, turquoise glacier-fed pool, red-tinted bedrock, footbridge viewing, 0.7-mile hike

Elevation

4,900 ft

Overview

About This Attraction

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.

Quick Facts

Type

Waterfall

Elevation

4,900 ft

Access

Not wheelchair-friendly; stairs and rocky sections.

Main Features

Waterfall, turquoise glacier-fed pool, red-tinted bedrock, footbridge viewing, 0.7-mile hike

What You'll 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

What Makes It Special

Turquoise glacier-fed pool set against red Precambrian sedimentary rock; two-tier cascade on a short hike

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.

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.

Visitor Tips

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.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Waterfall

Elevation: 4,900 ft

Distance from Entrance: 0.7 miles round-trip

GPS: Latitude 48.6°N, Longitude -113.5955°

What Makes It Unique:

Turquoise glacier-fed pool set against red Precambrian sedimentary rock; two-tier cascade on a short hike

Water Feature Details

Height: 25-30 ft; Upper Baring Falls ~12 ft

Size: Not available

Flow/Best Viewing: Variable with snowmelt

Fish Species: Not listed

Geology

Formation Type: Sedimentary bedrock with layered strata; water-eroded waterfall

Scientific Interest:

Rock flour color; differential erosion; Precambrian bedrock

Getting There

Directions:

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.

Access Type: Not wheelchair-friendly; stairs and rocky sections.

Road: Paved

Seasonal Access: Summer through late fall; Going-to-the-Sun Road typically open June–October.

Parking: Small to medium lot at Sunrift Gorge; fills quickly in the morning; overflow parking or park shuttle available.

Entry Fees: Included with park entrance fee

Trails

Trailheads Here:

Sunrift Gorge

Connecting Trails:

Siyeh Pass Trail; Piegan Pass Trail; St. Mary Falls Trail

Photography & Viewing

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

Best Photo Spots:

Footbridge over the falls; lower viewing area along Baring Creek; sunrise shots from near Sunrift Gorge

Sunrise/Sunset: Alpenglow possible at sunrise

Stargazing: Good with clear skies; limited light pollution away from the road

Facilities

Visitor Center
Restrooms (Sun Point Visitor Center restrooms (flush toilets))

Cell Service: Unknown

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

American dippers; deer; black bears

Best Wildlife Viewing: Not specified

Wildflower Peak: Not listed

Fall Colors Peak: Not listed

Seasonal Information

Best Season: Summer

Best Times: Shoulder seasons; weekday mornings often quieter

Road Opens: Going-to-the-Sun Road open roughly June–October; Sunrift Gorge area follows road status

Busiest: Mid-summer (July–August)

Parking Fills: Very early morning; parking fills quickly during peak season

Snow Until: Snow may linger on shaded slopes into early summer

Winter Access: Limited; winter access primarily by snow routes; not suitable for vehicle travel

Weather:

Summers can bring heat with afternoon thunderstorms; mornings are cool and misty near the falls

Activities

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

St. Mary Falls; Virginia Falls; Siyeh Pass Trail; Piegan Pass Trail

Nearby Services:

St. Mary dining; Sun Point Visitor Center

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

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

Stairs and rocky sections; not wheelchair-accessible

Family Friendly:

Sturdy footwear; keep children away from cliff edges; stay on trail

Nearby Facilities:

Sun Point Visitor Center; dining in St. Mary

Reviews

★★★★☆

4.7 /5

Based on 33 Google reviews

Based on 33 guest reviews

" 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"

Reviews from Google

We saw these falls doing the Baring, St. Mary, Virginia Falls hike. This one is gorgeous, but I feel like they just keep getting better the further you go.

Easy hike to this falls. We parked in a little are between sunrift gorge and the Virginia falls trail so we added this onto it. Highly recommend doing that. I really liked this little waterfall and climbing to the outcrop right in front.

Beautiful boat ride across St Mary's Lake and then a quick easy walk to these beautiful falls

Showing 3 of 33 reviews