St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail Hiking Guide
St. Mary and Virginia Falls is the east side's favorite short hike: a walk down to the St. Mary River's bright blue water at St. Mary Falls, then up along Virginia Creek to Virginia Falls. It packs two big waterfalls into under four miles. Here is how the trail works, the hazards around the water, and how long the trailhead stays reachable.
Permit: Going-to-the-Sun Road is inside Glacier National Park, where the entrance fee is $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person 16+ on foot or bike, each lasting 7 days; between November 1 and April 30 those drop to $25, $20 and $15. The park annual pass ($70) and America the Beautiful passes are accepted. Non-US residents 16 and older pay an extra $100 each unless entering on an annual or America the Beautiful pass. No cash. No vehicle reservation was required for the road in 2026. Boat options from Rising Sun are a separate concession fare.
Distance and the Up-and-Down
AllTrails maps the out-and-back to Virginia Falls at 3.6 miles with 583 feet of gain, about an hour and a half to two hours. The park lists St. Mary Falls 1.2 miles from the St. Mary Falls Trailhead and Virginia Falls 1.8 miles, and notes the pattern: the trail first drops about 260 feet to the river, then climbs about 285 feet to Virginia Falls. That means the return starts uphill and finishes uphill too.
The Two Falls
St. Mary Falls comes first. AllTrails notes the trail crosses the St. Mary River and then runs parallel to Virginia Creek up to Virginia Falls at the end. AllTrails notes several spots where people wade in summer, but the park's top safety warning is about water: it is the leading cause of death in Glacier, and the park tells visitors never to climb on slippery rocks or logs near waterfalls.
A 2026 Health Advisory
In September 2026 the park confirmed tularemia, a rare bacterial disease, in a beaver found between Upper and Lower St. Mary Lakes. Its advice for the area: use insect repellent, wash hands often, keep your distance from wildlife and drink only treated or boiled water. Anyone who gets fever, chills or swollen glands within two weeks of a visit should see a doctor and mention possible exposure.
Trailhead Access by Season
The St. Mary Falls Trailhead is on Going-to-the-Sun Road on the St. Mary side of Logan Pass. AllTrails mentions roadside parking, and the 2026 express shuttle didn't stop here, so arrive early on summer days. Normally the road is drivable end to end into mid-October (the park's rule of thumb is the third Monday), and weather decides where the east-side gate sits after that. Once the gate is below the trailhead, the falls can only be reached on foot along the closed road until the next season's opening.
Bears and Crowds
The park says July and August are its busiest months, and this short trail feels it; fall is quieter, when bears are actively feeding throughout the park. Keep the usual habits: talk as you walk, carry spray, and don't stop for lunch with your pack set aside. The park reports no attacks on groups of four or more, which is easy to manage on a hike this popular.
Hiking tips for St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
- Save some energy for the walk out; both legs of the return climb.
- Stay off wet rocks and logs at the falls, however tempting the photo.
- Treat or boil any stream water, following the park's 2026 tularemia advice.
- Arrive early in summer; no shuttle served this trailhead in 2026.
- Add Baring Falls for a longer outing via the Three Falls route from the Sun Point area.
Nearby trails to explore
- Siyeh Pass Trail
- Hidden Lake Overlook
- Grinnell Glacier Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
St. Mary and Virginia Falls is a short, scenic walk that suits almost any group. Use TrailMates to find Glacier hikers heading out along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Download the TrailMates app to connect.