St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is a lake-side and burned-forest route to the turquoise drop of St. Mary Falls and the taller cascades of Virginia Falls. The mileage matters, but the real character of the route comes from forest and open burn-area tread, stone steps, creek bridges, roots, and wet rock near waterfalls. Plan the entire outing—parking, trailhead preparation, movement time, breaks, changing conditions, and the return—rather than treating the destination as the only part of the hike.
The details below turn the route into a usable day plan. They explain the trailhead, major landmarks, permits, likely trouble points, pace, gear, and a shorter objective. Operating rules and conditions can change, so compare the plan with the managing agency's current alert before leaving for St. Mary Falls Trailhead on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The above image of St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail was generated and may not accurately represent what it currently looks like.
Trail Conditions and Effort
The route is best understood as out and back, with forest and open burn-area tread, stone steps, creek bridges, roots, and wet rock near waterfalls. Those details affect speed, footwear, balance, water use, and whether every member of the group can complete the same movement on the return. A short trail with chains, deep sand, submerged rocks, ice, or steep stone steps can require more judgment than a longer smooth path.
Route walkthrough
Trailhead and First Section
Descend toward St. Mary Lake through forest and open areas shaped by wildfire. Pause at the end of this stage to compare actual time, water use, weather, and group condition with the plan. Confirm the next junction before moving, because a familiar-looking trail or a line of footprints can lead away from the intended route.
Main Route
Cross the river and view the powerful turquoise drop at St. Mary Falls. Pause at the end of this stage to compare actual time, water use, weather, and group condition with the plan. Confirm the next junction before moving, because a familiar-looking trail or a line of footprints can lead away from the intended route.
Turnaround and Return
Continue uphill beside Virginia Creek to multiple viewpoints of Virginia Falls. Pause at the end of this stage to compare actual time, water use, weather, and group condition with the plan. Confirm the next junction before moving, because a familiar-looking trail or a line of footprints can lead away from the intended route.
Trailhead access and arrival
Going-to-the-Sun Road access, parking, and shuttle operations are seasonal. Check current road, shuttle, and trail status before leaving St. Mary.
The starting point is St. Mary Falls Trailhead on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Save the trailhead, route map, and permit proof offline. Arrive with enough time to solve a full lot or shuttle wait without rushing. Never invent roadside parking, cross a closed gate, or start late because the drive was longer than expected. A full access point is a reason to use the backup route selected at home.
Permit, services, and current rules
No trail-specific permit is normally required; vehicle access requirements may apply.
Plan for the Return Trip
Outward leg
Return leg
St. Mary Falls is the shorter complete destination. Continue to Virginia Falls only when weather, water, and group pace leave a comfortable return margin. The return can be uphill, hotter, darker, more crowded, harder on tired knees, or slower through water and loose ground. Keep food, water, attention, and daylight in reserve. Make the turnaround decision before anyone is depleted enough to argue for continuing.
Season, weather, and daily timing
Hazards to manage deliberately
The main concerns are wildlife, heat in the burn area, slippery rocks, cold fast water, smoke, storms, and limited parking. Name the hazards before starting so every person understands what would trigger a turnaround.
- Footing: Slow down on wet rock, loose stone, roots, sand, snow, ice, or submerged surfaces. Use poles or traction only when practiced and appropriate.
- Weather: Leave ridges, open summits, river corridors, and slot canyons before storms arrive. Thunder, rapidly rising water, or sudden wind is an action signal.
- Heat and cold: Protect skin, carry layers, and watch for headache, nausea, confusion, shivering, or declining coordination. Do not wait for collapse.
- Navigation: Confirm every important junction on the return. Crowds, footprints, and a phone dot are not substitutes for an offline map.
- Wildlife: Give animals space, secure food, control pets where allowed, and follow local bear, bison, goat, snake, or nesting-season guidance.
- Group management: Stay together, place a capable adult at the rear, and never leave a struggling person alone so others can reach the destination.
What to carry
- Official route map, offline navigation, charged phone, cable, and backup battery.
- Enough water for the full route, current conditions, and an unexpected delay.
- Food for the planned time plus a reserve portion kept for the return.
- Weather layers, rain or wind shell, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and dry insulation where needed.
- Headlamp, first aid, blister care, personal medication, whistle, and emergency shelter.
- Footwear and route-specific equipment for forest and open burn-area tread, stone steps, creek bridges, roots, and wet rock near waterfalls.
Who should choose another hike
Leave enough margin to handle the part of the day that was not in the itinerary.
Frequently asked planning questions
How hard is St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail?
The common rating is Moderate, but practical difficulty depends on forest and open burn-area tread, stone steps, creek bridges, roots, and wet rock near waterfalls, weather, altitude, water, crowding, and the group's pace. Use the numbers and terrain together.
How early should I start?
Is there a shorter version?
St. Mary Falls is the shorter complete destination. Continue to Virginia Falls only when weather, water, and group pace leave a comfortable return margin.