St Mary and Virginia Falls
Rising Sun, Glacier National Park
| Address: | Going-to-the-Sun Rd, Browning, MT 59417, USA |
| GPS: |
48°40'28.0"N 113°36'30.4"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Montana |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.4-4.6 mi |
Rivers Waterfalls Trails Wildflowers National Park Restrooms Picnic Tables Bicycles Motorized Use
Hike
Virginia Falls is one of two major waterfalls that feed into St Mary Lake. The trail is about 3.7 miles roundtrip, where visitors will see other waterfalls such as St Mary waterfall. The trail begins at the St Mary Falls trailhead on Going-to-the-Sun road, where there is a parking lot. Becasue there are multiple waterfalls in the area, this parking lot can get full very quickly, so it might be best to head out early in the morning or take a shuttle from Many Glacier.
An easy and scenic trail, visitors will go through the forest and past streams. St Mary Falls is a two tiered waterfall with a drop of over 50 ft. If tired, there are some nice spots to sit and catch a break, as well this point can make a good turn around point.
Virginia Falls is the next waterfall hikers will see. There is an upper portion of the falls and a lower portion. Both are beautiful to see. Like most waterfalls, the best time to see them is early in the season when the snowmelt is beginning and water is tumbling over the falls.
More Information
Glacier National Park Itinerary
This Glacier National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Glacier National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/glacier-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinSt. Mary and Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park
St. Mary and Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park is a short hike packed with waterfalls, and it’s best to go early to get a parking spot!
https://getinspiredeveryday.com/adventure/st-mary-and-virginia-falls-in-glacier-national-park/Virginia Falls – Hike to Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park
Virginia Falls: Detailed hiking information for Virginia Falls in Glacier National Park. Trail description, key features, pictures, map and elevation profile
https://www.hikinginglacier.com/virginia-falls.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Rising Sun, Glacier National Park
- Head southwest toward Rising Sun Roadi (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto Glacier Rte 1 Rd/Going-to-the-Sun RdParts of this road may be closed at certain times or daysDestination will be on the left(5.1 mi)
endovereric
7/2/18 1:44 pm
Virginia Falls from Continental Divide Trail courtesy of endovereric↗
Virginia Falls from near St Mary Trailhead courtesy of endovereric↗
Trail to St Mary Falls through burnt woods courtesy of endovereric↗
St Mary Falls courtesy of endovereric↗
View of the river beyond St Mary Falls courtesy of katiemia↗
Lower Waterfall courtesy of endovereric↗
Trail to Virginia Falls courtesy of endovereric↗
Other Lower Waterfall courtesy of endovereric↗
Virginia Falls courtesy of endovereric↗
St Mary Map courtesy of npmaps.com↗
Added by cteicheira
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Baring Falls
Glacier National Park
0.6 miles NEA moderate trail hike in Glacier National Park to 30-foot Baring Falls dropping into crystal-clear water — with scenic mountain overlooks, wildlife, and an optional gorge viewpoint 1.5 miles beyond.
Hike
Siyeh Pass Trail
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park
3.3 miles NWA top-of-the-world point-to-point hike through Glacier's Preston Park meadows to a high pass with glacier views, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.
Backpack, Hike
Clements Mountain Trail
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park
5.2 miles WA four-mile round-trip climb of Clements Mountain in Glacier National Park, with several routes of varying difficulty and significant elevation gain — often confused with nearby Reynolds Mountain.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Rock Climb
Highline Trail
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park
5.2 miles WOne of Glacier National Park's most celebrated hikes — the Highline Trail spans alpine meadows, the Continental Divide, and the Garden Wall with mountain goats, wildflowers, and views to rival anything in the park.
Backpack, Hike 5.0 mi
Hidden Lake
Glacier National Park
5.2 miles WA 6.6-mile round-trip hike from Logan Pass through alpine meadows, dense forest, and rocky terrain to the crystal-clear waters of Hidden Lake, with bighorn sheep and mountain goats along the way.
Hike
Grinnell Lake
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
7.5 miles NWA 7.5-mile round-trip hike along glacier-fed subalpine lakes to a turquoise glacial lake in Glacier National Park — with a waterfall along the way and an optional ferry across Lake Josephine.
Hike, Swim 11.8 mi
Cracker Lake Trail
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
8.6 miles NA 12.5-mile hike through forests and meadows to a surreal turquoise lake in the Many Glacier area — plan for two days to fully enjoy this bear-country gem.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 9.7 mi
Iceberg Lake
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
9.2 miles NNine miles of alpine trail deliver sweeping views of Ptarmigan Wall, Mount Grinnell, and Mount Wilbur before arriving at an iceberg-dotted cirque lake in Glacier NP.
Backpack, Camp, Hike 10.5 mi
Ptarmigan Tunnel
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
9.2 miles NA long hike to a hand-carved 240-foot tunnel through the Ptarmigan Wall at Glacier National Park, opening to views of Seaward Mountain and Elizabeth Lake — open mid-July through early October.
Backpack, Hike 4.5 mi
Avalanche Lake
Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
9.6 miles WHike near Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
Hike 0.9 mi
Trail of the Cedars
Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
9.6 miles WAn easy wheelchair-accessible loop through towering 500-year-old cedars up to 100 feet tall in Glacier National Park, with gorge views of glacial Avalanche Creek and a footbridge over the water.
Hike
Cameron Lake
Waterton, Glacier National Park
30.9 miles NWA picturesque Canadian glacial lake in Waterton Lakes National Park surrounded by mountain scenery, avalanche-sculpted shores, kayaking, fishing, and Herbst Glacier views.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Jewel Basin
Kalispell, Montana
37.8 miles SWThe Jewel Basin Hiking Area packs 35 miles of hiker-only trail, two dozen alpine lakes, and the Mount Aeneas lookout into the Swan Range near Kalispell.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Harry Harm Park
Bigfork, Montana
48.0 miles SWHike near Bigfork, Montana
HikeNearby Campsites
Rising Sun Campground
Glacier National Park
4.2 miles EMore than 150 sites in eastern Glacier National Park close to Going-to-the-Sun Road, St. Mary's Falls and Red Rock Falls trails, and frequent bear, elk, and bighorn sightings.
Camp
Clements Mountain Trail
Logan Pass, Glacier National Park
5.2 miles WA four-mile round-trip climb of Clements Mountain in Glacier National Park, with several routes of varying difficulty and significant elevation gain — often confused with nearby Reynolds Mountain.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Rock Climb 11.8 mi
Cracker Lake Trail
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
8.6 miles NA 12.5-mile hike through forests and meadows to a surreal turquoise lake in the Many Glacier area — plan for two days to fully enjoy this bear-country gem.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Many Glacier Campground
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
9.0 miles NCamp near Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
Camp
St. Mary Campground
Glacier National Park
9.1 miles NEOver 200 campsites on the edge of Glacier National Park with flush toilets, showers, and quick access to Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Highline Trail, and St. Mary Lake.
Camp 9.7 mi
Iceberg Lake
Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
9.2 miles NNine miles of alpine trail deliver sweeping views of Ptarmigan Wall, Mount Grinnell, and Mount Wilbur before arriving at an iceberg-dotted cirque lake in Glacier NP.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Avalanche Campground
Glacier National Park
9.6 miles WNestled on Glacier National Park's west side, Avalanche Campground puts 128 sites, flush toilets, and bear-proof storage right next to the Trail of the Cedars and the stunning Avalanche Lake hike.
Camp
Cut Bank Campground
Glacier National Park
11.5 miles SEA peaceful forested campground along Cut Bank Creek in Glacier National Park with 48 first-come sites, nearby hiking trails, and access to fishing at St. Mary Lake.
Camp
Sprague Campground
Glacier National Park
13.5 miles WAn 85-site campground on the west side of Glacier National Park near Lake McDonald, with swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and the Trail of the Cedars nearby.
Camp
Two Medicine Campground
Glacier National Park
16.9 miles SECamp near Glacier National Park
Camp
Fish Creek Campground
Glacier National Park
19.3 miles SWA 193-site Glacier National Park campground along Fish Creek, surrounded by pine and cedar forest, with mountain views, fire rings, and access to the Trail of the Cedars nearby.
Camp
Apgar Campground
Apgar Village, Glacier National Park
20.0 miles SWCampsites on the shores of Lake McDonald within Glacier National Park, with easy access to the Apgar Visitor Center, nature center, nearby hiking, and the western entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Camp
Logging Creek Campground
Glacier National Park
26.7 miles WA first-come, first-served campground nestled in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, with 49 sites and close access to the Grinnell Glacier and Swiftcurrent trails.
Camp
Quartz Creek Campground
Glacier National Park
28.3 miles WA peaceful 22-site campground in the heart of Glacier National Park, close to Going-to-the-Sun Road and a short hike from iconic Grinnell Glacier.
Camp
Bowman Lake Campground
Glacier National Park
29.1 miles WA stunning lakeside campground in the heart of Glacier National Park with 50+ campsites, bear-proof lockers, nearby hiking trails, and access to swimming, fishing, and paddling on Bowman Lake.
Camp
Cameron Lake
Waterton, Glacier National Park
30.9 miles NWA picturesque Canadian glacial lake in Waterton Lakes National Park surrounded by mountain scenery, avalanche-sculpted shores, kayaking, fishing, and Herbst Glacier views.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Kintla Campground
Glacier National Park
32.6 miles NWA 26-site campground on the shores of Kintla Lake inside Glacier National Park — fire pits, bear boxes, vault toilets, and the Kintla Lake Trail at your doorstep.
Camp
Jewel Basin
Kalispell, Montana
37.8 miles SWThe Jewel Basin Hiking Area packs 35 miles of hiker-only trail, two dozen alpine lakes, and the Mount Aeneas lookout into the Swan Range near Kalispell.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
