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Saint Mary Falls

It's a very short walk, not even what I would call a hike to St. Mary Falls. The trail drops 260 feet from the road & is almost a mile from the parking area. From the shuttle stop the trail drops the same amount but is slightly longer then a mile to the falls. You can also take Glacier Boat from the dock across from Rising Sun and then it's a mile & half without the elevation change.

After you have enjoyed the view & the spray from St Mary Falls you can continue over the bridge & along the trail to Virginia Falls. Although the St Mary Falls Trail isn't super crowded, it also is rarely completely tranquil. Most people seem to stop at St Mary Falls & not continue on to the much larger Virginia Falls.


st mary falls glacier national park

danger sign at st mary falls glacier national park

Drowning, not driving off the edge of Going to the Sun Road, or being eaten by a bear, is the leading cause of accidental death in Glacier Park.

When I hike in Glacier National Park I always carry bear spray. It will be interesting to see how the park hadles the shuttle this year on the east side as there is no logical turn around for the shuttle when Logan Pass is closed. Parking for Saint Mary and Virginia Falls is always at a premium, this year with delayed opening of Logan Pass it might be a mess.

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