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Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls in Glacier NP

Browning, Montana

4.7/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

5.43 miles

Elevation Gain

500 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jon King

An incredible day hike taking you to three of Glacier National Park's most scenic waterfalls. 

This 5.4 mile out-and-back hike will take you to Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls.  

Start your hike at the Sunrift Gorge parking area. Hike down the stairs on the south side of the road. Here you’ll see the trailhead for Baring Falls.

Descend until you reach the Baring Falls/Sun Point junction. Here, turn right toward Baring falls.  At 0.3 miles you’ll encounter the 25 ft. high Baring Falls.

After enjoying Baring Falls continue on the trail toward St. Mary Falls.  You’ll quickly be hiking along the southwest bank of St. Mary Lake.  The views of the lake and surrounding peaks are simply stunning.  At approximately ¾ mile from Baring Falls you’ll reach a junction for the St. Mary Falls shuttle stop.  Keep left at the junction.

Toward the end of the lake you will come across two more junctions: St. Mary Lake Trailhead and Piegan Pass.  Keep left at both junctions toward St. Mary Falls.  Cross the footbridge over the St. Mary River to view St. Mary Falls.  

Virginia Falls is another 0.8 miles past St. Mary Falls with approximately 285 ft. in elevation gain.  Make sure to check out the spur trails to get a variety of vantage points of Virginia Falls.  At 50 ft. high, Virginia Falls is arguably THE must-see waterfall in Glacier National Park.

Parking at Sunrift Gorge is extremely limited.  I highly recommend to start the hike early in the morning or utilize Glacier’s shuttle system.  The hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls is also one of the most popular day hikes in the park.  Start early to avoid the crowds.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Family Friendly
Forest
Lake
River
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildflowers
Wildlife

Reviews

All 3 falls worth the hike! St Mary was my favorite, but Virginia Falls was incredibly powerful! If u go to the top and out on the rocks in front, you’ll get soaked quickly!

This hike was a beautiful and quite easy to complete. My fiancé and I went in July 2018 and it was a very sunny day, I would recommend bringing hats and sunscreen (and applying regularly) as in the afternoon this sun was right overhead with hardly a cloud in the sky. Other than getting some burnt shoulders, the hike was amazing. The walkways were easy to navigate, there are signs at all forks in the paths, and you get a very scenic view throughout a majority of the hike! My fiancé and I are novice hikers and this was a perfect hike in that there were quite a few rest areas, it was easy to navigate, and there was only a few areas of elevation to trek up. The falls are absolutely breathtaking and there are lots of perfect locations to take some beautiful photos throughout the rest of the hike. Would recommend this quick hike as a easier hike for any beginners or people looking for some beautiful scenic photos!

I loved this hike. So many cool things to see along the way too. Such a great waterfall.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Baring Falls via Piegan Pass Trail

Hike to Sun Point

Gunsight Pass to Gunsight Lake Campsite

Photograph Wild Goose Island

Capture Sunrise at St. Mary Lake

Kayak Saint Mary Lake, Glacier National Park