A turquoise-pooled cascade in Glacier National Park's St. Mary Valley, reached by one of the park's most popular day hikes.
Saint Mary Falls is one of the signature hikes in Glacier National Park's St. Mary Valley, a set of cascades dropping through a narrow gorge into turquoise pools along Going-to-the-Sun Road. The National Park Service describes the hike to the falls as about 1.6 miles round trip from the St. Mary Falls shuttle stop, or roughly 2.4 miles round trip from the St. Mary Falls trailhead parking area, with a 260-foot elevation loss on the way down to the water. A concessioner boat shuttle from the Rising Sun area offers a shorter approach for an added tour fee.
Many hikers continue past Saint Mary Falls to Virginia Falls, about 0.8 mile farther via either route, adding a climb back out of the St. Mary Falls drainage. Access to the valley depends on the seasonal opening of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the park's shuttle system, both of which typically run only in summer and early fall; check current status before planning a visit outside that window. Entrance fees run $35 per private vehicle (or $20 per person on foot or bicycle) in summer, with lower winter rates, and the park accepts no cash at entrance stations.
Know before you go
Glacier National Park's St. Mary Valley off Going-to-the-Sun Road; reached from the St. Mary Falls shuttle stop or trailhead parking area.
Going-to-the-Sun Road and the park shuttle typically run only summer into early fall; check current status before visiting.
About 1.6 miles round trip from the shuttle stop (0.8 mile one way, 260-ft descent), or about 2.4 miles round trip from the trailhead; a boat shuttle option adds a tour fee.
Park entrance $35/vehicle or $20/person in summer (lower winter rates); no cash accepted at entrance stations.
Trail involves a steep descent to the falls; check current accessibility information with the park.
2026-10-11. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- NPS — Glacier National Park: St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail ↗
- NPS — Glacier National Park Entrance Fees ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
