With hundreds of glacier-fed falls, creeks, and cascades on display, photographing waterfalls in Glacier National Park is a sheer joy and delight.
Last updated: June 4, 2024
The Most Photographed Cascades and Waterfalls in Glacier National Park
You travel to Glacier National Park to admire its stunning mountain scenery, not necessarily roaring waterfalls and cascades. Let’s just be clear on that. Known as Switzerland of North America, the area astounds with its towering peaks and lush meadows for miles on end. To photograph jaw-dropping waterfalls, you should visit Oregon, not Glacier National Park.
And that’s how wrong I was…
My idea of what to see and do in Glacier National Park certainly was far from reality. Logically, I should’ve expected to find and – since I always travel with a camera – photograph some majestic waterfalls and roaring cascades in Glacier National Park.
Yet somehow caught up in the mountainous nature of the park, I continued researching the best hikes and lushest meadows until I came across St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls. So apparently, Glacier National Park harbored a number of multi-layer waterfalls, some of which were considered the most photographed waterfalls in Montana.
As I looked deeper into this topic and later, equipped with my camera, explored the area, I realized how awfully wrong I was in the first place. With more than 200 waterfalls and cascades, Glacier National Park is a photographer’s paradise.
Prelude to the Most Photographed Waterfalls and Cascades in Glacier
The falls are scattered throughout the park and often don’t have names. Those lucky waterfalls that received their names at some point in the past are the crown jewels of Glacier National Park and have been photographed over and over again.
To further ignite your falls-photography thirst, some of these roaring waterfalls and cascades sit right along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in West and East Glacier. Other representatives of Glacier National Park’s most photographed waterfalls are nestled around alpine lakes and secluded creeks. To see this watery opulence, you must hike.
Are you ready for an adventure now when you know what to expect? Then let’s dip our feet into freezing-cold pools at the bottom of some of these photogenic waterfalls spread across Glacier National Park’s favorite sections.
SCENIC CASCADES AND WATERFALLS TO PHOTOGRAPH IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD AREA
1. St. Mary Falls
Ironically, St. Mary Falls, one of the three most photographed waterfalls along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in East Glacier, didn’t end up on my itinerary. The truth is, it did initially. But after hiking more than 10 miles a day with a small kid, I didn’t have any energy left to tread to the falls.
Nevertheless, it’s not an excuse to leave St. Mary Falls behind, especially if you’re after the most recognizable waterfalls in Glacier National Park.
The natural wonder sits 0.8 mile away from St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop. It allures with its roaring waters that drop roughly 35 feet in three separate tiers. The two largest sections of the falls create a stunning ambiance that landscape photographers can’t get enough of. The third, smaller waterfall runs under a nearby footbridge.
Photography Tip: It’s recommended to start capturing the images of the waterfalls from the bridge first. Once you’re done with this, follow a path underneath the wooden structure to find the best views of one of the most photographed waterfalls in East Glacier.
TIP: Alternatively, you can start your journey to St. Mary Falls at the St. Mary Falls trailhead. The hike is a little bit longer from here, adding 0.4 mile to the trail for a total of 1.2-mile, one-way trip.
2. Virginia Falls
Once you’ve collected enough images of St. Mary Falls, you can return to your car or follow the trail to Virginia Falls. This multi-tier natural phenomenon is nestled only 0.6 mile away from St. Mary Falls and is recognized as one of the most favorite waterfalls to photograph in Glacier National Park. The entire hike comes close to a 3.6-mile, round-trip trip. The views are, however, worth every step.
The largest section of Virginia Falls is the main inspiration for the Glacier National Park’s photographers. The waterfall drops approximately 50 feet, creating dreamy clouds from the spray.
On the other hand, this fresh coolness often presents serious inconveniences for many waterfall photographers. Frequently, the water drops land on cameras’ lenses and interfere with those flawless images you strive for when photographing the most beautiful waterfalls in Glacier National Park.
Photography Tip: Virginia Falls looks absolutely incredible at any time of the day. Photographers, however, should head to the waterfall early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds of visitors.
TIP: To get to both of these waterfalls in East Glacier, you’ll need to hike through a forest, including the area that was burned during the Reynold Creek Fire of 2015. Therefore, make sure to wear good, non-slip hiking shoes.
3. Baring Falls
The last falls in a trio of the favorite waterfalls in Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road area, Baring Falls sits farther down the trail. Continue walking for the full 6.4-mile, round-trip hike or make this waterfall a separate hiking and photographic journey.
In the latter case, you have two choices. Hiking along a 0.6-mile, round-trip trail from a parking lot near Sunrift Gorge is the easiest and most popular way to see Baring Falls.
Photography Tip: For Glacier’s waterfall photographers that are open to unexpected surprises, I’d suggest taking a 2-mile, round-trip trail from the Sun Point parking lot. Here, glorious views of aquamarine St. Mary Lake on your left serve as a prelude to a successful photo session at Baring Falls.
TIP: The waterfall drops roughly 25 feet over rock ledge. To soak your feet in the pool at the bottom of the secluded waterfall in this section of Glacier, you need to cross a small footbridge. Before you do it, though, linger a little bit longer on the narrow crossing to shoot the falls from different angles.
Unlike St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls, the last member of the famous trio sees far fewer visitors. This certainly benefits the majority of the waterfall photographers that wish to spend as little time editing out random people from their pictures as possible.
4. Waterfall at Lunch Creek
The waterfall at Lunch Creek can be easily classified as one of the most popular cascades in Glacier National Park. The roaring falls sits along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, one mile east of Logan Pass.
Cascading down Pollock Mountain, the place has long allured Glacier’s guests. Early travelers used it as a resting point while hiking along the Continental Divide. The historic landmark hasn’t lost its attractiveness as the years passed by. Many visitors still stop here to admire the untamed cascades streaming down from the mountain tops behind them.
There is no official trail. Hikers normally follow the cascading creek to the mountainside. Sadly, though, a lot of wildflowers get destroyed under the feet of careless travelers every year.
TIP: If hiking is the last thing on your mind, pull over for a quick photo shoot. Even from a short distance, the cascading waterfall in East Glacier looks incredible.
5. Bird Woman Falls
Bird Woman Falls looks dramatic. At 560 feet, it’s one of the tallest waterfalls in this section of Glacier National Park. Fed by snowfields and a remaining glacier, the waterfall sits below some of the tallest peaks in the Going-to-the-Sun Road area.
Photographing the finest of the finest waterfalls in Glacier couldn’t be easier. A number of easily accessible overlooks along the scenic drive offer outstanding views of the site. The most popular viewpoint, however, nestles east of the West Tunnel. This place also features signage with some of the details about the waterfall and other landmarks in Glacier.
Bird Woman Falls can be seen from a distance of 2 miles. So bring along a telephoto lens for close-up images of the iconic waterfall in the alpine section of Glacier National Park.
Photography Tip: The best time to photograph most of the waterfalls in Glacier National Park is always spring when the melted snow feeds the falls. Bird Woman Falls’ flow is also at its greatest in the spring and the beginning of summer. The waterfall almost dries up by the fall.
6. McDonald Falls
The quest for the most photographed roadside cascades and waterfalls in Glacier National Park starts in West Glacier. While you drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road to the eastern side of the park, keep your eyes peeled for McDonal Falls. Nestled near the northern shore of Lake McDonald, the forceful waters of the waterfall gradually stream down until they plunge into the lake.
Photography Tip: A perfect vantage point that you should photograph from is located just above the waterfall. Alternatively, you can take a short walk to get closer to the cascades.
The waterfalls in this section of Glacier National Park look calm in summer. In the spring, however, they transform into smashing torrents that carry trees and rocks.
7. Sacred Dancing Cascade
Sacred Dancing Cascade is the next set of waterfalls to photograph on your way from West Glacier to East Glacier. Similar to McDonald Falls, the site is located near the Going-to-the-Sun Road and entices with its powerful cascades.
Interestingly, I didn’t even notice a sign to the Sacred Dancing Cascade Overlook when we drove along the scenic route the first time. Eager to claim our parking spots at such favorite places as Logan Pass and the Avalanche Lake trailhead, we simply rushed through the area.
As we were heading back to Kalispell after two nature-infused days in Glacier National Park, more and more roadside waterfalls caught our attention. Sacred Dancing Cascade with its photogenic, plunging rapids was one of them.
When we pulled off near a small overlook in the late afternoon, the parking area was almost empty. Too tired for one more proper hike, but never too exhausted for another round of Glacier National Park’s photogenic waterfalls, we walked down to a wooden observation platform and greedily stared at the cascades.
8. Unnamed Waterfall at Haystack Creek
The unnamed falls at Haystack Creek is among the most scenic waterfalls in Glacier National Park. Gushing down the mountainside in a series of tiny torrents, this natural wonder is an indisputable show stealer. Crowds of visitors gather by the side of Glacier’s scenic drive to take in the splendid views and photograph the multiple layers of the roaring waterfall.
As you pull over in search of a perfect angle, you realize that the place is bigger than it looks from the car. The winding creek cascades under an arch bridge, creating a long thread of rushing downhill water.
TIP: Haystack Creek is one of the easiest places to photograph the roaring waterfalls and cascades in Glacier. All you need to do is to pull over at the Haystack Creek Overlook and photograph away.
9. Waterfalls at Avalanche Lake in West Glacier
Waterfalls at Avalanche Lake in West Glacier are a part of a larger and more grandiose picture. Cascading down the mountainside at the far end of the lake, they add extra charm and natural splendor to the already surreal surroundings.
Hike: To photograph these remarkable waterfalls in West Glacier, you must hike first. The lake sits at the end of a 2-mile trail that forks from the Trail of the Cedars (add approximately 0.5 mile to the one-way trip). The hike is easy, gradually gaining and losing elevation.
While the trail doesn’t really spoil you with many photogenic sites (except for Avalanche Creek and Avalanche Gorge). Yet Avalanche Lake with its threadlike waterfalls rewards you with some of the best vistas in the entire Glacier National Park.
The most prominent waterfall here is Monument Falls, fed by Sperry Glacier. Overlooking the lake from the height of over 1,800 feet, it’s the highest waterfall in the area. A number of unnamed waterfalls surround it. Creating a spectacular display, this web of waterfalls is worth the attention of every Glacier National Park’s photographer.
10. Tiny Waterfall at the Trail of the Cedars
Since we’re talking about the waterfalls surrounding Avalanche Lake, it’s worth adding here a dramatic waterfall at the Avalanche Gorge Overlook. Bewildering with its force, the peculiar falls stops you in your tracks along the Trail of the Cedars. Moss-covered trees and rocks on both sides of Avalanche Creek further dramatize the surroundings, inspiring you to reach for your camera at once.
Hike: Hiking is also an inevitable part of the photographic journey to one of the smallest waterfalls in Glacier. The trail, however, is a piece of cake even for a toddler. Starting at the Trail of the Cedars trailhead, it follows a paved path, then runs along a raised boardwalk just to end at a well-trodden dirt trail that leads back to a parking lot. The loop is only 0.7 mile long.
TIP: Yet even Avalanche Gorge with one of the most photographed waterfalls in Glacier National Park is not without its challenges. You must be an early bird to claim a parking space at the trailhead and enjoy the photogenic site. Otherwise, expect to drive around, waiting for a parking spot to open up before you can rush to the falls with your camera, ready to shoot.
11. Weeping Wall at Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road
The Weeping Wall also joins the ranks of the most photographed waterfalls in Glacier. Running down from a wall cliff located in the eastern section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the site surprises even the most experienced waterfall photographers.
Melted snow on the Garden Wall is responsible for the creation of this roadside attraction. After the water runs off the wall, it streams down the mountainside through specially designated vents. When the snowmelt is heavy, the waterfall can reach over 100 feet in width, offering plenty of opportunities to photograph the site from a slowly passing by car.
Fun Fact: The Weeping Wall is one of few waterfalls in Glacier to offer a free car wash. Do you also need a “refreshing shower” on a hot summer day? Roll down your window, and let the pleasant mist spray over you.
Photography Tip: Keep your camera away from the water drops, though. You don’t want your quest for the most photographed cascades and waterfalls in Glacier to end right here.
The Weeping Wall experiences the heaviest flow in spring and early summer. By August, though, it looks like a trickle.
TIP: When you drive east to west, the Weeping Wall is to your right, allowing you to get the closest look of its magic. This position, however, is not ideal for Glacier’s waterfall photography. You can’t stop to take a better picture, as other cars follow you. The images, taken while driving, may also look blurry. You can try to slow down a little bit. There are pretty good chances that drivers behind you are equally preoccupied with the waterfall and don’t mind the slower pace.
12. Cascades near Redrock
When it comes to the gorgeous roadside cascades, look no further than mini-waterfalls/cascades near Redrock in West Glacier. Sitting along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, these gushing waterfalls offer some of the epic perspectives on Glacier’s watery abundance.
TIP: One of the best places to shoot these cascades is a small bridge set opposite to the site.
THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED WATERFALLS IN MANY GLACIER
13. Apikuni Falls in Many Glacier
One of the most photographed waterfalls in Many Glacier is Apikuni Falls. The two-tier natural attraction sits at the end of the 1-mile Apikuni Falls Trail.
The first layer, flowing from the top of a cliff, can be seen and photographed from a distance, from the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot. The second waterfall visually elbows the first one and is of most interest to Glacier’s landscape photographers.
TIP: When you hike to Apikuni Falls in late summer or fall, the natural attraction may slightly disappoint you. In spring, however, it’s a place of sheer delight. Fed by abundant melted snow, Apikuni Falls is considered one of the favorite waterfalls to photograph in Glacier at this time.
14. Waterfalls Surrounding Grinnell Glacier
The crown jewel of Many Glacier, the Grinnell Glacier area is home to several major waterfalls, created in place of the receding glacier. Photographer’s paradise is the right phrase to describe this pleasing to the eye place. Festooned with spectacular views of aquamarine Grinnell Lake, the 5.3 Grinnell Glacier Trail is dotted with waterfalls of all sizes.
Yet not all falls in the Grinnell Glacier area look equally beautiful. With that said, Thunderbird Falls is far from being called one of the most photogenic waterfalls in Glacier. Yet it has its own charm, especially when you look for a temporary safe haven from the scorching summer heat.
The highest falls in this area is Grinnell Falls. The waterfall cascades down from the height of 960 feet before depositing into picture-perfect Grinnell Lake. Fed by the meltwater of Grinnell Glacier, Grinnell Falls puts on a show for a longer period of time than other waterfalls in the area.
Yet like some other places in Glacier National Park, the waterfalls surrounding Grinnell Glacier depict a sad story of slowly disappearing glaciers. Just take Salamander Falls. The towering waterfall spills directly into Upper Grinnell Lake, a place once reigned solely by Grinnell Glacier.
The Most Photographed Waterfalls and Cascades in Glacier National Park: Map
Tips on how to Photograph Waterfalls in Glacier National Park
Spring is the Best Time to Photograph Waterfalls and Cascades in Glacier
Fed by the melted snow, the majority of waterfalls and cascades in Glacier put on their best shows in spring. Several glacier-sourced falls, such as Baring Falls, however, amaze with their cascading layers throughout the year. Therefore, if you plan to photograph Glacier’s waterfalls during any other seasons but spring, make sure to know where they get their water supplies.
Use Wide-Angle and Telephoto Lenses
When photographing the waterfalls in Glacier from a near distance, the water drops and moisture released into the air can land on your camera’s lens. Every photographer knows that even the smallest drop of moisture on the equipment can ruin a photo. Furthermore, the water and cameras don’t usually coexist. The excess of the first can lead to the damage of the latter.
The best solution to this problem is to photograph Glacier’s waterfalls from a distance, using a telephoto lens. A wide-angle lens works wonders when you photograph small waterfalls from a close distance.
Bring Tripod
Glacier National Park’s waterfalls can look transformed when using different camera settings. For the roaring falls, adjust your aperture to f/8 or f/10. The stringy waterfalls look better when captured with the long shutter speed of f/22. When shooting at this setting, you should always use a tripod to reduce blurriness in your pictures.
Use the Lowest ISO
The lowing ISO (ISO 100) ensures better quality of your images. Simultaneously, it enables you to decrease the shutter speed and get smooth shots of Glacier’s waterfalls.
Photograph Cascades and Waterfalls in Glacier during Sunrise or Sunset
Show up at sunrise or sunset and photograph away. The light at these times is soft and adds extra colors to your images. Midday works equally good for the heavily shaded waterfalls.
Cloudy Days are the Second Best Time to Photograph Waterfalls and Cascades in Glacier
Don’t underestimate the power of overcast weather. The cloudy sky helps easily escape harsh sunlight. As a bonus, you can photograph the gorgeous waterfalls and cascades in Glacier all day long. No need to get up before sunrise or linger around, waiting for the sunset. And the colors look pretty good as well.
Read More
- The best photo spots in Glacier: 8 Iconic Photo Spots in Glacier National Park
- Wildlife in Glacier National Park: 5 Best Places to See and Photograph Wildlife in Glacier
