Twin Falls, Two Medicine Valley, Glacier National Park

Twin Falls cascades down a rocky ledge amid lush forest in Glacier National Park.

Twin Falls are two 80-foot cascades in Glacier National Park’s Two Medicine Valley, fed by streams from No Name Lake. Access the falls via a boat shuttle across Two Medicine Lake, then a 2.2–2.3 mile round-trip hike to base.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 48°28′35″N 113°25′36″W
Accessibility: Trail with moderate elevation; uneven, mossy sections; not fully accessible for disabilities

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Two Medicine Lake, Upper Two Medicine Lake, Pumpelly Pillar
Nearby Facilities: Vault toilets; parking; no explicit trail-side water
Best Time To Visit: Late June through mid-September; aim for morning or late afternoon light for best photography.
Tips Advice: Arrive before 8am in June–August to beat crowds and secure parking.
Use the West End Boat Dock shuttle to cut the hike to 0.8 miles one-way.
Dress in layers; bring rain gear and sturdy shoes for mossy, uneven terrain.
Cell service is weak; download maps and trail details before you go.
Insider Tips: Start early to beat crowds
If using the boat shuttle, the hike is cut roughly in half
Look for the longer view with Pumpelly Pillar in the frame

More details

Park Area: Glacier National Park
Family Friendly Notes: Stay on marked trails; keep children close near water; moss can be slippery.
Attraction Type: Geological Formation
Elevation Feet: 5320
Distance From Entrance: 0.8 miles one-way from West End Boat Dock (boat shuttle); 2.3 miles round trip from South Shore Trailhead; total 4.4 miles with boat shuttle or 9.8 miles without.
Accessibility Level: Hike required
How To Get There: From Two Medicine Lake area, access Twin Falls via trails from the West End Boat Dock or South Shore Trailhead. Take the shuttle boat across Two Medicine Lake to reduce distance, then follow the Twin Falls trail to the cascades.
Parking Availability: Parking at Two Medicine Lake can fill quickly in peak summer; arrive early or late to avoid congestion.
Road Type: Varies
Seasonal Access: Late June–mid-September for full access; Going-to-the-Sun Road generally opens mid-to-late June and closes mid-October.
Entry Fees: Included with park entrance fee
Main Features: Twin Falls cascades (~80 ft) on outlet streams from surrounding peaks and No Name Lake, within a glacially sculpted Glacier NP landscape; nearby Pumpelly Pillar (7,620 ft) and Belt Supergroup bedrock.
What Youll See: A pair of waterfalls cascading into Two Medicine Valley, mossy boulders, forest, and distant white-water spray; the left fall is more visible than the right.
Unique Characteristics: Part of Glacier NP’s glacially carved landscape that records Belt Supergroup geology and the Lewis Overthrust context, with U-shaped valleys and cirques nearby.
Safety Considerations: Gravity and slippery, moss-covered rocks near the falls; swift glacial streams demand caution; hypothermia risk in cold water; bear spray recommended; stay on designated trails; rain gear and warm layers advised.
Best Viewpoints: Trail viewpoint along the Twin Falls route; near the mossy stretch where the left fall dominates the view.
Photo Opportunities: Early morning or late afternoon light along the trail; spray and greenery create dynamic portraits; capture the falls with Pumpelly Pillar in the background when possible.
Photography Spots: Along the trail near the cascades; with Two Medicine Lake reflections in the distance; near Pumpelly Pillar views.
Sunrise Sunset Quality: Evening alpenglow in Two Medicine can enhance the landscape.
Restrooms Available: 1
Restroom Type: Vault toilets
Interpretive Signs: 1
Cell Service: Weak or nonexistent
Water Available: 1
Guided Tours Available: 1
Trailheads Here: Two Medicine area: West End Boat Dock trailhead; South Shore Trailhead
Connecting Trails: Twin Falls trail connects with trails toward Upper Two Medicine Lake; combining hikes is common with boat shuttle or longer treks.
Nearby Services: Two Medicine area facilities; vault toilets; parking; no explicit potable water on trail
Common Wildlife: Goats, sheep, pika
Best Wildlife Times: Early morning and late evening
Geological Formation Type: Glacially sculpted landscape in Belt Supergroup rocks
Scientific Interest: Glacially sculpted terrain in Glacier National Park, underlain by Belt Supergroup rocks within the Lewis Overthrust domain. Twin Falls demonstrates alpine glacial hydrology: outlet streams from surrounding peaks and No Name Lake feed two cascades that descend about 80 feet into the Two Medicine Valley. Nearby Pumpelly Pillar is a prominent glacially carved pillar that helps illustrate the landscape’s geological history. The trailhead sits around 5,180 feet in elevation, with the hike peaking near 5,320 feet.
Road Opening Dates: Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens mid-to-late June and closes mid-October.
Snow Lingering: Lingering snow possible into late spring at higher elevations
Winter Access: Limited; winter access depends on snow conditions
Best Visit Times: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and harness optimal light.
Best Season: Late June through mid-September
Weather Patterns: Unpredictable weather with potential afternoon storms; plan for changing conditions.
Peak Fill Times: June–August; parking tends to fill by 8am in peak months
Busiest Season: July and August
Waterfall Height: 80 ft (24 m)
Boating Allowed: 1
Review Summary: Visitors rate Twin Falls highly for its short, rewarding payoff and the dramatic glacial setting. Parking can be a bottleneck in peak season, but the payoff—a pair of cascades framed by Glacier’s ancient rock—is consistently praised. The hike is moderate and accessible, with strong runoff and forest ambiance throughout the ascent.

Location

Photos

Twin Falls, Glacier National Park, framed by evergreen trees with a rugged, cloud-covered peak in the distance.

Twin Falls trail winds through a meadow of wildflowers with evergreen trees and a rugged mountain backdrop in Glacier National Park

Twin Falls boardwalk winds through a lush meadow and forest in Glacier National Park

Hikers near Twin Falls overlook a tranquil alpine lake with jagged, snow-dusted peaks of Glacier National Park.

Frequently asked questions

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

Parking fills by 8am in June–August; arrive before 7am or consider late afternoon visits to secure a spot.

Is it worth the 0.8-mile hike (with boat shuttle) to see Twin Falls?

Yes. The 80-foot cascade delivers a satisfying payoff for a short hike; combining with Upper Two Medicine Lake extends the experience to about 4.4 miles with shuttle.

Will my cell phone work on the Twin Falls trail?

Cell service is weak or nonexistent in the Two Medicine area; download maps and trail details before you go.

Can I combine Twin Falls with a longer lake hike?

Yes. The Twin Falls route pairs with Upper Two Medicine Lake, with either a boat shuttle or a longer backcountry approach; total distances range from 4.4 miles (with shuttle) to 9.8 miles (without).

Is the road to Two Medicine paved and accessible year-round?

The area is seasonally accessible; Going-to-the-Sun Road opens mid-to-late June and closes mid-October, with full access best from late June through mid-September.

Is there parking overflow or shuttle options during peak season?

Yes—overflow parking exists and the boat shuttle from Two Medicine Lake helps reduce hiking distance during peak season.

Is the Twin Falls trail appropriate for children or families?

The trail is moderate with mossy, slippery sections; keep kids close and use caution near wet rocks and logs.