Baring, St. Mary & Virginia Falls via Pigeon Pass Trail | Glacier National Park

Distance: 7 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: ~800 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: About 3 hours

Why I Chose This Trail

If you’re looking for a Glacier National Park hike with turquoise lakes, waterfalls, mountain views, forests, and wildlife, this is one I would absolutely recommend.

One thing I loved about this route is that it starts from the Sun Point parking area instead of the St. Mary Falls trailhead. Most hikers park along the shoulder of Going-to-the-Sun Road for the shorter route, but I preferred walking the extra mile from Sun Point because you get to park in a large parking lot instead of on the side of a busy road. For me, the extra distance was completely worth it.

The Hike

The trail begins by following the shoreline of beautiful St. Mary Lake. The bright turquoise water and incredible mountain views make the first part of the hike feel almost unreal. It was one of those trails where I found myself stopping every few minutes just to take in the scenery.

The first stop is Baring Falls, where you’ll cross a wooden bridge over the rushing creek before continuing deeper into the forest.

Not long after, you’ll come across a dock on St. Mary Lake that makes the perfect place to stop for lunch, fish, or cool off with a swim. The water is glacier-fed, so it’s definitely cold, but on a hot summer day it looked incredibly refreshing.

As you continue hiking, you’ll reach St. Mary Falls, where another bridge crosses the river. There’s also a popular rock where people were jumping into the water below. We spent a while sitting there watching everyone jump before continuing toward Virginia Falls.

A short walk later, you’ll arrive at Virginia Falls, and this was easily my favorite part of the hike.

The lower falls are absolutely stunning. Several people were swimming in the pool below while others relaxed on the rocks taking in the view. Just a little farther up the trail, you’ll reach the upper viewpoint where you can watch glacier-fed water rushing over the cliffs before flowing downstream toward the other waterfalls.

The entire hike offers an amazing variety of scenery. You get peaceful forest trails, mountain views, crystal-clear lakes, rushing rivers, wooden bridges, and multiple waterfalls all in one hike.

One unexpected highlight was the wildlife. The chipmunks on this trail were surprisingly curious and would walk right up to hikers. It made for a fun experience and some great photo opportunities, but remember to admire them from a distance and never feed them.

Things to Know

• Start at the Sun Point parking lot if you want easier parking.

• Bring a swimsuit if you don’t mind cold glacier water.

• This is a popular trail, so expect to see plenty of other hikers.

• Carry bear spray and plenty of water.

• Wear comfortable hiking shoes since parts of the trail are rocky.

My Thoughts

This quickly became one of my favorite hikes in Glacier National Park. The elevation gain is only around 800 feet, so while there are a few uphill sections, the trail is mostly gradual and very manageable. It also felt family-friendly because of how many people were enjoying it together.

What I loved most was the variety. It’s not often you find a trail where you can walk beside a beautiful lake, cross bridges over rushing water, visit multiple waterfalls, watch people cliff jump, spot wildlife, and enjoy incredible mountain views all in one hike.

If you’re visiting Glacier and only have time for a handful of hikes, I definitely think this one deserves a spot on your list.

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5

Would I hike it again? Absolutely. Between the lakes, waterfalls, mountain views, and overall experience, this is one of those hikes that reminds you why Glacier National Park is such a special place.

-Oakley