Much like pretty much every part of Montana life, the Treasure State’s waterfalls are second to none. We’re lucky to have so many beautiful waterfall trails in our state, and if you’re planning a trip to Glacier National Park this year, we highly recommend hiking the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail. Not only is it a fairly easy and accessible trail, but you’ll get to see two gorgeous waterfalls on your journey. No more googling “Waterfalls near me”!
You’ll find the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail on Going-to-the-Sun Road about 10 miles west of the St. Mary Entrance Station.
nayyef Hrebid / alltrails.com The trail is about three miles in length (out and back), and it’s one of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park, mainly because it’s absolutely gorgeous.
The trail takes you down a forested area that was unfortunately burned by the 2015 Reynolds Creek Fire.
Jason Weston / alltrails.com Luckily, nature is extremely resilient, and Mother Nature is already replenishing this trail.
You’ll come to St. Mary Falls first, after enjoying views of several mountain ranges along the way.
Anna Goggans / alltrails.com The beautiful St. Mary Falls spills down three tiers into a large pool.
St. Mary Falls is actually one of the most photographed parts of Glacier National Park.
Brian Elkins / alltrails.com You’ll definitely want to stop and admire it before moving on.
Next up is Virginia Falls, which marks the halfway point of the hike.
Ryan James / alltrails.com This stunning waterfall is also in a perfect spot for stopping and relaxing.
While this isn’t an overly long trail, we recommend allowing at least half a day to enjoy it.
Tori Cummings / alltrails.com The beauty you’ll see along the way is unparalleled, even for Glacier.
Obviously, you won’t be alone on this beautiful hike… but if you plan it right, you can avoid the crowds.
Ethel Krum / alltrails.com Going early or late in the season, choosing a weekday, and going in the morning should grant you some solitude, at least in parts.
Have you ever hike this double waterfall trail? If not, check it out on your next visit to Glacier.
nayyef Hrebid / alltrails.com
The trail is about three miles in length (out and back), and it’s one of the most popular hikes in Glacier National Park, mainly because it’s absolutely gorgeous.
Jason Weston / alltrails.com
Luckily, nature is extremely resilient, and Mother Nature is already replenishing this trail.
Anna Goggans / alltrails.com
The beautiful St. Mary Falls spills down three tiers into a large pool.
Brian Elkins / alltrails.com
You’ll definitely want to stop and admire it before moving on.
Ryan James / alltrails.com
This stunning waterfall is also in a perfect spot for stopping and relaxing.
Tori Cummings / alltrails.com
The beauty you’ll see along the way is unparalleled, even for Glacier.
Ethel Krum / alltrails.com
Going early or late in the season, choosing a weekday, and going in the morning should grant you some solitude, at least in parts.
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Address: Virginia Falls, Montana 59417, USAAddress: Browning, MT 59417, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me March 29, 2022 Spencer Schneider What are the best waterfall hikes in Montana? Montana is home to some of the best hikes in the United States, if not the entire world. Home to Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, Montana is well known for having towering mountains to hike and ski through. Some of the best of these hikes are actually waterfall hikes, and you’re in the right place if you are looking for some of the best waterfall hikes in the state. Swiftcurrent Falls Swiftcurrent Falls in Glacier National Park tops this list as the best waterfall hike in the state of Montana. This easy 2.6 mile hike along the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail begins at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead and takes you around Swiftcurrent Lake past Many Glacier Hotel. During this hike, you will spend time walking through the beautiful forests of pine and spruce trees and you cross a footbridge over Swiftcurrent Creek, and as amazing as the waterfall is, be sure to appreciate the journey and the beautiful Montana scenery you are walking through. Kootenai Falls Kootenai Falls is next on our list, and actually is not found in Glacier National Park. Kootenai Falls can be found in Libby, Montana, and is actually one of the largest waterfalls in the northwest. This hike is easy and short, clocking in at just over 1.5 miles with minimal elevation, and will bring you across two long bridges. The first is an enclosed pedestrian bridge and the second is the famous and very long Swinging Bridge. The Swinging Bridge is one of the best places on the hike for views of the river and the Kootenai Falls, and while it can be a little scary for some, the spectacular views that will reward you will make you glad you worked up the courage to cross it!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me
March 29, 2022
Spencer Schneider
What are the best waterfall hikes in Montana? Montana is home to some of the best hikes in the United States, if not the entire world. Home to Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, Montana is well known for having towering mountains to hike and ski through. Some of the best of these hikes are actually waterfall hikes, and you’re in the right place if you are looking for some of the best waterfall hikes in the state. Swiftcurrent Falls Swiftcurrent Falls in Glacier National Park tops this list as the best waterfall hike in the state of Montana. This easy 2.6 mile hike along the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail begins at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead and takes you around Swiftcurrent Lake past Many Glacier Hotel. During this hike, you will spend time walking through the beautiful forests of pine and spruce trees and you cross a footbridge over Swiftcurrent Creek, and as amazing as the waterfall is, be sure to appreciate the journey and the beautiful Montana scenery you are walking through. Kootenai Falls Kootenai Falls is next on our list, and actually is not found in Glacier National Park. Kootenai Falls can be found in Libby, Montana, and is actually one of the largest waterfalls in the northwest. This hike is easy and short, clocking in at just over 1.5 miles with minimal elevation, and will bring you across two long bridges. The first is an enclosed pedestrian bridge and the second is the famous and very long Swinging Bridge. The Swinging Bridge is one of the best places on the hike for views of the river and the Kootenai Falls, and while it can be a little scary for some, the spectacular views that will reward you will make you glad you worked up the courage to cross it!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Montana is home to some of the best hikes in the United States, if not the entire world. Home to Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park, Montana is well known for having towering mountains to hike and ski through. Some of the best of these hikes are actually waterfall hikes, and you’re in the right place if you are looking for some of the best waterfall hikes in the state.
Swiftcurrent Falls
Swiftcurrent Falls in Glacier National Park tops this list as the best waterfall hike in the state of Montana. This easy 2.6 mile hike along the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail begins at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead and takes you around Swiftcurrent Lake past Many Glacier Hotel. During this hike, you will spend time walking through the beautiful forests of pine and spruce trees and you cross a footbridge over Swiftcurrent Creek, and as amazing as the waterfall is, be sure to appreciate the journey and the beautiful Montana scenery you are walking through.
Kootenai Falls
Kootenai Falls is next on our list, and actually is not found in Glacier National Park. Kootenai Falls can be found in Libby, Montana, and is actually one of the largest waterfalls in the northwest. This hike is easy and short, clocking in at just over 1.5 miles with minimal elevation, and will bring you across two long bridges. The first is an enclosed pedestrian bridge and the second is the famous and very long Swinging Bridge. The Swinging Bridge is one of the best places on the hike for views of the river and the Kootenai Falls, and while it can be a little scary for some, the spectacular views that will reward you will make you glad you worked up the courage to cross it!
