Monument Falls
A partly hidden waterfall above Avalanche Lake, distinct from the taller headwall cascades. Plan for lake-and-basin views, not a waterfall-base visit.
Open to everything · Saved in this browser
A FEW CHOICES. A TRIP THAT FEELS LIKE YOU.
What could your Glacier trip look like?
Choose what excites you. We’ll use it to filter your Glacier ideas—not rewrite the guide you came to read.
What draws you here?
Choose as many as you like—or leave it open to see everything.
When might you go—and for how long?
We’ll point you to the matching trip length. Season choices add access reminders; they do not confirm anything is open.
Have you chosen a side to stay on?
We’ll flag ideas that need a transfer from your chosen side. This is a preference, not a hotel booking.
Choices save automatically in this browser only. No account. Your answers are not sent to our servers.
Ideas for your Glacier trip
Showing all Glacier experiences. Your saved places and essential access information are never filtered.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
The full road crossing depends on seasonal access—even in summer.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
An idea to explore—not a must-do.
View the basin from Avalanche Lake rather than attempting an unverified approach to the waterfall base.
Use sturdy footwear and watch your footing near water.
Alpenglow potential on western slopes; late-afternoon glow favorable
Gravity hazard: slippery, moss-covered rocks; extremely cold water; no direct barriers; stay on trails; bear spray recommended; travel in groups
Natural Attraction
Monument Falls is a lower waterfall on an inlet stream above Avalanche Lake, not the much taller cascades on the basin headwall. The World Waterfall Database estimates a 215-foot drop and notes that most of the named falls is hidden from the trail's lake end. Plan the established Avalanche Lake hike for basin scenery, not a close-up waterfall viewpoint; a safe route to the base is not established here.
MAKE ROOM FOR A MEMORABLE STOP
Is this stop worth your time?
Why go
- What Youll See
- Avalanche Lake, surrounding cliffs, and distant waterfall scenery; visibility and flow vary with conditions.
- Unique Characteristics
- A lower inlet-stream waterfall, distinct from the taller headwall cascades commonly seen above Avalanche Lake.
When to go
- Best Visit Times
- Choose a daylight window with enough time for the return hike; check weather and trail conditions.
- Peak Fill Times
- Parking can fill in summer; no arrival time guarantees a space. Plan a daylight hike.
Getting there and doing it
- How To Get There
- Start at Avalanche Picnic Area and reach the Avalanche Lake Trail via Trail of the Cedars. NPS lists 2.3 miles one way to the lake. Plan a lake-shore viewpoint outing, not a maintained trail to the base of Monument Falls.
- Parking Availability
- Use signed parking at Avalanche Picnic Area or the Trail of the Cedars access on Going-to-the-Sun Road. If no legal space is available, return later or choose another outing; Sun Point and St. Mary Lake are not access points for this hike.
Getting there & parking
- Road Type
- Paved Going-to-the-Sun Road to the Avalanche trailhead; continue on foot to Avalanche Lake.
- GPS Coordinates
- 48°39′00″N 113°46′19″W
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Early summer through September for peak meltflow; late afternoon light during golden hour.
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Alpenglow potential on western slopes; late-afternoon glow favorable
- Best Season
- Early summer to early fall; peak melt late June–September
- Busiest Season
- Summer (late June–September)
- Seasonal Access
- Roads generally open late June through September; weather can alter access
- Road Opening Dates
- Late June (approx.) through September
- Snow Lingering
- Patches may persist into July; heavier winters leave lasting snowpack
- Winter Access
- Limited; snowshoeing possible in season; access largely seasonal
- Weather Patterns
- Afternoon thunderstorms possible; rapid weather changes near glaciers
- Wildflower Peak
- Mid-July to August in nearby subalpine meadows
- Fall Colors Peak
- Late September to mid-October in valley and foothill zones
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Geological Formation
- Main Features
- Waterfall scenery in the Avalanche Lake basin; forest trail access to the lake.
- Photo Opportunities
- Lake-and-mountain compositions from established shoreline access; a longer lens can help with distant waterfall details.
- Photography Spots
- Shoreline angles from Avalanche Lake; west-facing rock faces catch late light
- Best Viewpoints
- Avalanche Lake offers basin scenery, but most of the named Monument Falls is hidden from the end of the trail.
- Common Wildlife
- Bear (grizzly and black), mountain goats, bighorn sheep
- Best Wildlife Times
- Dawn and dusk
- Geological Formation Type
- Waterfall
- Scientific Interest
- Meltwater-driven erosion within Belt Supergroup rocks; visible stratigraphy and glacial-influenced hydrology
- Stargazing Quality
- Limited by canopy and distance from urban centers; good on clear, dark nights
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- Included with park entrance fee
- Permits Required
- No
- Restrooms Available
- Yes
- Restroom Type
- Vault toilets (Avalanche Campground/Picnic Area trailhead) likely
- Picnic Areas
- Yes
- Water Available
- No
- Cell Service
- Limited to nonexistent in the Avalanche Lake corridor
- Interpretive Signs
- No
- Accessibility
- Trail-based access; uneven terrain; not wheelchair accessible
- Accessibility Level
- Not wheelchair accessible; viewing limited to Avalanche Lake shore
- Nearby Services
- Apgar Village (~15.1 miles away by road), Lake McDonald Lodge
- Nearby Facilities
- Avalanche Campground/Picnic Area trailhead facilities, Apgar Village services
- Family Friendly Notes
- Exposed edges and slick rocks require close supervision of children; hold hands near shore
Safety
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- Avalanche Lake, Trail of the Cedars
- Connecting Trails
- Avalanche Lake Trail connects to Trail of the Cedars network
- Trailheads Here
- Avalanche Lake Trailhead
Planning advice
- Insider Tips
- View the basin from Avalanche Lake rather than attempting an unverified approach to the waterfall base.
- Use sturdy footwear and watch your footing near water.
- Keep bear spray accessible and make noise on the trail.
- Tips Advice
- Use signed Avalanche-area parking; have an alternative if it is full.
- Allow enough daylight for the return hike.
- Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and hike in a group.
- Download maps before arrival; cell service is unreliable.
More details
- Park Area
- Glacier National Park
- Recent Updates
- Parking patterns and seasonal access consistent; no major feature changes noted
- Elevation Feet
- 4250
- Visitor Center Present
- No
- Guided Tours Available
- No
- Waterfall Height
- About 215 ft (World Waterfall Database estimate)
- Waterfall Flow Rate
- Variable; peak during early-summer melt
- Lake Size
- Avalanche Lake's surface area is not published in the official materials tied to Monument Falls.
- Fishing Species
- No fish species are documented specifically for Monument Falls.
- Fishing Nearby
- No
- Swimming Allowed
- No
- Boating Allowed
- No
- Climbing Areas
- No
- Review Summary
- Two stored Google reviews give 5-star ratings; one specifically recommends viewing from Avalanche Lake.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to arrive early to get parking?
Parking can fill in summer. Use signed Avalanche-area spaces; if they are full, return later or choose another outing. Do not treat Sun Point as overflow parking for this hike.
Does the Avalanche Lake hike reach the base of Monument Falls?
No maintained approach to the waterfall base is described here. This visit is a hike to Avalanche Lake for views of the surrounding waterfall basin; it is not a recommended bushwhacking route.
Can I bring my dog to the Monument Falls area?
No. Pets are not permitted on the Avalanche Lake Trail or at its undeveloped lakeshore, even on a leash. Service animals are subject to separate NPS guidance.
Is the viewing area safe for families?
The lake outing involves a rocky uphill trail, cold water, and wildlife habitat. Supervise children at the shore, keep to the established route, and do not attempt to scramble toward the waterfall base.
Will the trail be accessible for someone with limited mobility?
Trail of the Cedars offers a wheelchair-accessible nature-trail section. The continuing Avalanche Lake Trail becomes steeper and rocky; it is not an equivalent accessible route to the lake.
More at Glacier National Park
Pyramid Peak
Peak sharpened by glacial ice above Mokowanis Lake; an off-trail scramble deep in the Belly River backcountry.
Grace Lake
Grace Lake: glacial cirque lake at 3,966 ft, reached via the Logging Lake Trail.
Rising Sun Picnic Area
A practical east-side pause where Glacier’s mountains meet the prairies.
Two Medicine Picnic Area
Two Medicine’s lake and peaks reward a future picnic; road access is closed as of September 8, 2026.
Lake McDonald
A west-side lakeshore pause: choose Apgar or Lake McDonald Lodge, then leave room for a separate walk or boat outing.
Saint Mary Lake
Choose Sun Point views, a waterfall hike or a Rising Sun boat tour on Glacier’s eastern lake.
Recommended gear for Glacier National Park
Some booking links below are affiliate links, which may support YourNPGuide at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Sources
- discoveringmontana.com
- nps.gov
- glacier.org
- kennesaw.edu
- flatheadbeacon.com
- smokybear.com
- mtmemory.org
- wikipedia.org
- glaciernationalparklodges.com
- beyondmydoor.com
- shesavesshetravels.com
- usgs.gov
- goodhousekeeping.com
- another100feet.com
- komoot.com
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
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.