Redrock Falls
Redrock Falls: a wide curtain of cascades against red iron-oxide rock.
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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.
Side angles near the lower falls offer varied rock textures for photography
Fall colors illuminate the red rock; visit in autumn for aspen displays
Alpenglow potential; long shadows over the alpine backdrop
Rocks near the falls are slippery due to mist; water around 50°F; bears and moose common; carry bear spray; traction footwear; stay on established paths; the d…
Natural Attraction
Redrock Falls pours a wide curtain of cascades over a red, iron-oxide cliff, spraying the rock with icy mist. Along the trail, multiple viewing spots let you feel the spray and admire the alpine setting. This waterfall is a product of water erosion, driven by Redrock Creek carving through layered bedrock for centuries.
MAKE ROOM FOR A MEMORABLE STOP
Is this stop worth your time?
Why go
- What Youll See
- Redrock Falls cascade; red rock face; cold mist; Fishercap Lake and Redrock Lake along the trail; Mt. Grinnell visible from Redrock Lake
- Unique Characteristics
- Iron-oxide stained red bedrock on a billion-year-old Grinnell Formation; the falls form a broad curtain in an alpine setting
When to go
- Best Visit Times
- Early morning or late afternoon; fall for aspens
- Peak Fill Times
- 7:00–8:00 AM during peak July–August
Getting there and doing it
- How To Get There
- From the Many Glacier area, drive to the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn lot and park there; follow Fishercap Lake/Redrock Falls signs along a 3.6–4.2 mile round-trip trail.
- Parking Availability
- Parking fills quickly, especially July and August; arrive by 7:00–8:00 AM or hike later in the day; additional parking along the road or at Iceberg Ptarmigan trailhead if main lot is full
Getting there & parking
- Distance From Entrance
- 3.7 miles round-trip
- Road Type
- Paved to Many Glacier area; trail portions are dirt; some sections muddy
- GPS Coordinates
- 48.79765, -113.67869
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Late June through early October. Early morning or late afternoon light makes the red rock glow and reduces glare.
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Alpenglow potential; long shadows over the alpine backdrop
- Best Season
- Late June through early October
- Busiest Season
- July and August
- Seasonal Access
- Many Glacier Road opens in late May or early June
- Road Opening Dates
- Many Glacier Road opens in late May or early June
- Snow Lingering
- Lingering snow in higher elevations into June; sometimes into mid-June
- Winter Access
- Limited; winter hiking possible with snow cover; snowshoe routes
- Weather Patterns
- Afternoon thunderstorms common in summer; cool mornings; wind along ridges
- Wildflower Peak
- Late July to early August
- Fall Colors Peak
- Late September to early October
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Geological Formation
- Main Features
- Wide curtain of cascades on Redrock Creek; red bedrock stained by iron oxide; slick cliff face from constant spray; viewing spots along the trail and at the falls base
- Photo Opportunities
- Close-up of red rock with spray; wide-angle shots with alpine backdrop; early morning lighting preferred
- Photography Spots
- Lower falls vantage points; side trails near the lower falls
- Best Viewpoints
- Along the trail at multiple viewing points and at the base; lower falls vantage points for close-up rock textures
- Common Wildlife
- Moose, bears (grizzly and black), small rodents
- Best Wildlife Times
- Early morning or late evening
- Geological Formation Type
- Grinnell Formation; iron-oxide stained red bedrock; erosion-formed waterfall
- Scientific Interest
- Iron-oxide coloration on billion-year-old bedrock; visible record of long-term water erosion within the Grinnell Formation
- Stargazing Quality
- Good
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- Included with park entrance fee
- Permits Required
- No
- Restrooms Available
- Yes
- Restroom Type
- Outhouse
- Picnic Areas
- No
- Water Available
- No
- Cell Service
- Unreliable
- Interpretive Signs
- Yes
- Accessibility
- Trail is easy; some slippery sections near falls; minimal elevation gain; watch for mud after rain
- Accessibility Level
- Easy trail; family-friendly with slippery sections near the falls
- Nearby Services
- Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn; nearby towns: Babb; dining options
- Nearby Facilities
- Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn; Fishercap Lake area; restrooms at trailhead; water not guaranteed
- Family Friendly Notes
- Easy trail; keep children away from slick rocks; hold hands near falls
Safety
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- Fishercap Lake, Redrock Lake, Mt. Grinnell, Swiftcurrent Mountain, Many Glacier Hotel, Swiftcurrent Motor Inn
- Connecting Trails
- Fishercap Lake Trail, Swiftcurrent Pass Trail; connections to Bullhead Lake
- Trailheads Here
- Swiftcurrent Pass Trailhead; Fishercap Lake Trailhead
Planning advice
- Insider Tips
- Side angles near the lower falls offer varied rock textures for photography
- Fall colors illuminate the red rock; visit in autumn for aspen displays
- Bear spray, traction footwear, and staying on established paths are essential
- Tips Advice
- Side angles near the lower falls offer varied rock textures for photography
- Fall colors amplify the red rock; visit in autumn for aspen displays
- Bear spray, traction footwear, and staying on established paths are essential; parking fills early
More details
- Park Area
- Many Glacier (Glacier National Park)
- Recent Updates
- Seasonal access reminders; parking advisories during peak season; occasional bear activity alerts
- Elevation Feet
- 5145
- Visitor Center Present
- No
- Guided Tours Available
- No
- Waterfall Height
- Varies
- Waterfall Flow Rate
- Seasonal; higher during spring snowmelt; lower in late summer
- Lake Size
- Not applicable — Redrock Falls is a 50-foot waterfall on Upper McDonald Creek, not a lake.
- Fishing Species
- Not documented; the site is a waterfall on Upper McDonald Creek, so there is no listed fish species for this feature.
- Fishing Nearby
- No
- Swimming Allowed
- No
- Boating Allowed
- No
- Climbing Areas
- No
- Review Summary
- Rated 4.8 stars from 43 reviews. Visitors appreciate the red rock contrast with the white water and the alpine surroundings; parking pressure and safety considerations are common notes; the hike remains popular and worth the effort.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?
Yes. Parking fills quickly in peak season, especially July and August; aim for 7:00–8:00 AM or hike later in the day.
Is the 3.6–4.2 mile hike to Redrock Falls worth it?
Yes. The combination of red iron-oxide rock, a wide curtain of cascades, and an alpine setting makes the trek worthwhile.
Will cell service work on the trail?
Cell coverage is unreliable in the Many Glacier area; download offline maps ahead of time.
Is this trail dog-friendly?
The data here does not specify dog access for Redrock Falls; verify park rules before bringing a pet.
Can I expect crowds in peak season?
Yes. July and August are the busiest; plan for early or late-day visits and be ready for parking congestion.
More at Glacier National Park
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.
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 9, 2026.
Monument Falls
215 ft waterfall fed by glacial meltwater; view from Avalanche Lake shore.
Lake McDonald
A west-side lakeshore pause: choose Apgar or Lake McDonald Lodge, then leave room for a separate walk or boat outing.
Sources
- discoveringmontana.com
- nps.gov
- utahsadventurefamily.com
- alexonthemap.com
- travelwithwes.com
- youtube.com
- hikinginglacier.com
- chasingadvntr.com
- thebrutallyhonesttraveler.com
- wildernesswalks.net
- genuinemontana.com
- campbrood.com
- wanderlog.com
- travelandleisure.com
- komoot.com
- overnightadventures.blog
- nasa.gov
- wikipedia.org
- usgs.gov
- 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.