How to Hike the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail in Glacier National Park + Tips & FAQs

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Looking to take on the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail when you are in Glacier?

Growing up on the west side of Glacier National Park, it’s only in the past few years that I’ve really been able to dive into what the east side has to offer–and it has a lot to offer. Whether you are looking for towering mountains, rushing waterfalls, or crystal-clear lakes, you can find it over there, and I highly recommend that the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail is on your list!

However, knowing where to find the trail, what to expect, and knowing whether or not you will run into bears along the way can seem a bit overwhelming. Plus, you also need to decide whether or not you are going to bring your bathing suit along and go for a swim.

Once you’ve figured all of that out, you’re going to be blown away by these two sets of waterfalls. While you can just hike to St. Mary Falls, it’s absolutely worth the push to get to Virginia Falls, as well–it’s my favorite waterfalls in the entire park!

In summary: This article will cover how to hike to both St. Mary and Virginia Falls, including where to start your trek, what to expect, and some tips and FAQs about the trail.

Quick tip: If the parking lot for this hike is full, consider checking out Baring Falls at Sunrift Gorge–you can also hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls from there too!

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How to hike the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail

To start your adventure, you’re going to get to the trailhead by driving Going-to-the-Sun Road from either the St. Mary Entrance or the West Entrance. Keep in mind that over the past few years Glacier has had a reservation system, so if you are planning on coming from the west side, you will need to have have this ticket in-hand. You’ll also want to know that the Glacier National Park shuttle stops here if you are getting there that way, as well.

Quick tip: Make sure you check out my guide on Glacier’s reservation system so you know what to expect beforehand!

Once you have arrived at the parking lot, you’ll see a clearly-marked sign for the start of the hike. The first portion is fairly open, as this was the location of the Reynolds Creek Fire in 2015, so you’ll want to bring your sun protection with you–sunscreen and sun hat are highly recommended. You’ll get some views of the nearby mountains, and after about .25 of a mile you’ll reach a junction where you can continue on the Piegan Pass trail. Continue to the right (it will be marked).

Not too long after, you’ll reach the St. Mary River and soon after that, St. Mary Falls. This is by far one of my favorite waterfalls in the park (only to be outdone by Virginia Falls), and it’s definitely worth a stop to enjoy watching the rushing water. Some hikers choose to stop and turn back from here instead of continuing on, and this is also a popular swimming spot during the hot summer months.

Once you have taken your time appreciating the turquoise-blue water of the falls, you’ll start gaining some elevation up to Virginia Falls. You’ll walk along the Virginia Creek and see two unnamed waterfalls along the way. While not as impressive as the waterfall you’re about to see, it’s still worth a stop for a quick photo.

When you’re about 1.7 miles in, you will reach another junction. To the right takes you to St. Mary Lake, so you will want to continue to the left in order to get to Virginia Falls. Again, this is clearly marked so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it, but having a map downloaded from an app like AllTrails can point you in the right direction if you are turned around.

You’ll have some stairs to climb, but right after you scale these you’ll be right at the base of Virginia Falls. At around 50 feet, these are some seriously impressive falls, and they’re my personal favorite in the entire park. See if you can get someone to take a photo of you since this spot is the perfect photo op!

After you have gotten your pictures and taken your time enjoying Virginia Falls, you’ll head back the way you came back to the parking lot for about another 1.5 miles.

Map of the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail

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Tips for hiking the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail

Here are some of my personal tips for hiking to St. Mary and Virginia Falls.

• Consider going in the morning: If you are staying on the east side, then morning is typically the best time to head to this trailhead due to the crowds. It tends to get busy in the afternoon, so getting there early can help!
• Carry your bear spray: While it is a popular trail, bears are common in this area. Remember to make a lot of noise and bring your bear spray along and know how to use it.
• The trail can be slick: You’ll want to wear a good pair of hiking boots or hiking shoes since the trail can get a bit wet–especially when you get up to Virginia Falls. Even tennis shoes can slip a bit and might not have enough traction.
• Wear your swim suit underneath: If you are planning on taking a dip, you might want to wear your swim suit underneath your hiking clothes. Since it is a popular spot, there probably won’t be a spot to change without a number of people nearby.

St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail FAQs

Here are some frequently-asked questions I often get about taking on the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a chance to see some of Glacier’s best waterfalls without putting in a ton of effort, then the St. Mary and Virginia Falls trail shouldn’t be missed! This is one of my personal favorites even with the crowds–I find it’s well-worth waiting for if you need to. I also love how it’s the perfect way to cool down after a long day of exploring in the park!

Have any questions about the St. Mary and Virginia Falls hike? Let me know in the comments!