St. Mary Falls
- Height
- 35 ft
- Hike
- 1.2 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Not allowed
St. Mary Falls drops about 35 ft on St. Mary River in Glacier County, Montana. Reaching it is a 1.2 mi hike each way.
Closures and warnings
NPS: maintain awareness around water, steep drop-offs, and wildlife. You are responsible for your own safety. Cold, fast water below the falls. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 35 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Iconic double waterfall of clear blue water just above St. Mary Lake; about 35 ft cascade commonly cited. |
| Current | Strong |
|---|---|
| Water clarity | Clear blue water typical of the St. Mary drainage. |
Access
| Hike | 1.2 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Going-to-the-Sun Road between Rising Sun and Jackson Glacier Overlook; St. Mary Falls Trailhead or shuttle stop. |
| Parking | St. Mary Falls Trailhead pullout and St. Mary Falls shuttle stop along Going-to-the-Sun Road. |
| When it fills | Shuttle stop route is shorter; trailhead parking fills in peak season. |
| Fee | Glacier National Park entrance fee |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Access depends on Going-to-the-Sun Road seasonal opening. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Glacier National Park) |
| Note | Little shade after 2015 fires. Virginia Falls continues about 0.6 mi beyond St. Mary Falls. |
|---|
Rules
| Dogs | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is St. Mary Falls open?
NPS: maintain awareness around water, steep drop-offs, and wildlife. You are responsible for your own safety. Cold, fast water below the falls. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Access depends on Going-to-the-Sun Road seasonal opening.
How tall is St. Mary Falls?
St. Mary Falls drops about 35 ft.
Can you swim at St. Mary Falls?
A strong current is reported here, use caution.
How long is the hike to St. Mary Falls?
It's a 1.2 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Going-to-the-Sun Road between Rising Sun and Jackson Glacier Overlook; St. Mary Falls Trailhead or shuttle stop. Parking: St. Mary Falls Trailhead pullout and St. Mary Falls shuttle stop along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Shuttle stop route is shorter; trailhead parking fills in peak season.
Do you need a reservation for St. Mary Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at St. Mary Falls?
The fee is Glacier National Park entrance fee.
When is St. Mary Falls flowing?
Iconic double waterfall of clear blue water just above St. Mary Lake; about 35 ft cascade commonly cited.
Nearby
Sources
3
- https://www.nps.gov/places/st-mary-falls-trail.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.hikeDistanceMi, waterfall.flowNote / amenities shade note / Virginia Falls link, access.roadNote / parkingPattern, swimmerNotes.current / waterClarityNote)
- https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hikingstmary.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee / hazardNote)
- https://bestnationalparkstovisit.us/national-parks/glacier-national-park/hikes/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt / waterbodyName)
More: Montana waterfalls