Hiking to Baring Falls in Saint Mary Lake in Glacier National Park

This is a short little hike along Saint Mary Lake on the east side of Glacier National Park. The out-and-back route begins and ends at Going To The Sun Point. The distance makes it a very family-friendly hike, with big views of Saint Mary Lake, the mountains towering above you on all sides, wildflowers dotting the trailside, a rustic bridge across a rushing creek, and the namesake Baring Falls. Even if you’re yearning for big miles, this little hike is worth the short detour.

Trail Details

Distance: 1.6 miles
Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 50 ft
Dogs: No
When to go: June-October

In my case, I hiked it one day prior to running the Glacier Half Marathon, so my friend Jason and I were looking for a few short hikes to warm up our muscles, but conserve our energy for race day. This little gem was one of two, and it packs a lot in a short hike.

There’s a decent sized parking lot at Going to the Sun Point, which is also popular for picnics and just soaking in the views. The trail begins heading (appropriately) toward the sun, following the shores of Saint Mary Lake as you make your way west.

You pass through sections scarred by wildfires, where new growth and wildflowers abound.

After roughly 0.8 miles, you reach Baring Creek. The falls are very close, but you’ll want to cross the rustic wooden bridge to get the best view.

When you cross the bridge, turn right alongside the creek for your best view of the falls.

A lot of water was pushing over Baring Falls, and the mist was chilly. While it’s not the biggest waterfall around, it still quite scenic, especially so close to the lake.

When hiking trails in Glacier National Park, be sure to check with the ranger station for the latest information and warnings about bear sightings. We didn’t see any bears on this trail, but we did see about five bears in Glacier National Park. They are there, and it’s wise to follow the park service recommendations to keep both you and the bears safe.