Virginia Falls

Virginia Falls drops 50 feet in a broad, fan-shaped cascade that spreads across a dark rock face in the St. Mary Valley of Glacier National Park. The falls catch afternoon light beautifully, the white water contrasting sharply with the deep green of the surrounding spruce and fir forest. A footbridge below the falls provides an unobstructed view and a cool mist bath on warm days — one of the most photogenic waterfall scenes in the park.

The trail is 3.1 miles round trip from the St. Mary Falls shuttle stop on Going-to-the-Sun Road, passing the beautiful three-tiered St. Mary Falls at the 0.8-mile mark before continuing upstream to Virginia Falls. The elevation gain is about 470 feet, with most of the climbing between the two waterfalls. Both falls are stunning, making this a two-for-one waterfall hike that ranks among the best in the park.

July through September provides the best trail conditions, though the falls run strong from June snowmelt well into August. The free park shuttle from the St. Mary Visitor Center eliminates parking headaches during peak season. This trail is one of the most popular in Glacier — start before 9 AM for a quieter experience.