Hiking the St. Mary & Virginia Falls Trail in Glacier National Park
Distance: 3.6 miles / 5.8 km
The Saint Mary Falls Trail is one of the best local hikes in Glacier National Park!
I say this because of the numerous cliff jumping opportunities along both trails. As well, Saint Mary Falls is best combined as one longer hike with Virginia Falls, located just a little further up the trail.
Note that the distance above is the roundtrip distance from the St. Mary Falls Trailhead to Virginia Falls.
St. Mary Falls Trailhead Parking
There are two trailheads for the St. Mary Falls Trail, with the shorter of the two being the St. Mary Shuttle Stop.
However, parking for individual private vehicles is located a short distance down the road from the shuttle stop, which is where this post begins.
Google Maps Directions: St. Mary Falls Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Glacier
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Glacier National Park.
Hiking the St. Mary & Virginia Falls Trail
The St. Mary Falls Trail is nearly an all downhill hike, which, for obvious reasons, means that the hike back is a bit more challenging.
However, the overall downhill is very gradual, making the return trip nothing to mention.
Piegan Pass-Baring Falls Junction
This first split in the trail is the junction with Baring Falls, as well as the connection with Sun Point located a little further down the lake.
That said, go right to continue hiking toward Saint Mary and Virginia Falls.
St. Mary Shuttle Junction
The next the junction where both St. Mary Falls Trail and the St. Mary Shuttle Trail meet.
Go left to reach St. Mary Falls, located only 0.5 miles (0.8 km) ahead.
You may notice these American Mountain-ash berries along the trail, and while they are considered edible, I have read that they are not very good to eat raw.
American Mountain-ash - (Sorbus americana)
Piegan Pass-St. Mary Falls Junction
Shortly after the shuttle stop junction the trail splits once more with the Piegan Pass Trail.
Go left to continue toward Saint Mary and Virginia Falls.
Fireweed - (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
St. Mary Falls
Saint Mary Falls is a popular stopping point for visitors along the trail, and it’s also one of the most popular cliff jumping spots in Glacier National Park, as you can see from the photo below.
Warning
This photo was taken in mid-August when snowmelt in Glacier has significantly declined from its peak.
However, the earlier and earlier in the season that you are hiking, the more dangerous the St. Mary Falls cliff jump gets because river will be running much higher in June and July.
Additionally, when the water levels have subsided, you yet need to be a good a swimmer to make it safely to the bank without getting swept downstream.
This is all to say that I do not encourage cliff jumping here just because you may have seen others doing it.
Virginia Falls Trail
Past St. Mary Falls, the trail to Virginia Falls continues for another 0.6 miles (1.0 km).
Virginia Creek
At about halfway between St. Mary and Virginia Falls, there is another cliff jumping spot that is easily more dangerous than St. Mary’s, as shown above.
The area to land in order to hit deep enough water is significantly smaller than St. Mary Falls, which is why I do not encourage anyone to attempt this same jump.
Additionally, the same as I said above is true about the snowmelt in Virginia Creek. This cliff jump gets significantly more dangerous the earlier in the summer season that you hike.
St. Mary Lake Junction
Just prior Virginia Falls is one last junction with the trail that continues further around the south side of St. Mary Lake.
Go right at this split, and Virginia Falls is only a short distance up the trail.
At the two bridges, go right to reach the better of two viewpoints.
Virginia Falls
Virginia Falls is a beautiful 50-ft. (15.2 m) waterfall, and in my opinion it’s the best waterfall hike on either side of Logan Pass.
Additionally, this photo was taken late in the day, which is how I was able to enjoy Virginia Falls without other groups of people!
