“Let’s hike to Baring Falls, using the shortest of 3 favorite trail options.” Even though my legs were still a little bit wobbly after hiking to Avalanche Lake and the Hidden Lake Overlook earlier that day, I was down for a new waterfall adventure.
Last updated: June 5, 2024
How to Hike to Baring Falls: 3 Ways
Truth be told, I would’ve rather hiked to St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls, two of the scenic waterfall hikes in Glacier National Park. As fate would have it, we spent too much time sliding down snowy hills at Logan Pass. Snow in July looked enticing to say the least. While we, adults, found it amusing and certainly refreshing on a hot summer day, Dylan couldn’t get enough of it.
By the time we headed to East Glacier, the sun was to roll down in a few hours. Still exhausted from the hikes we had done earlier, we decided to go for a shorter trail and hike to Baring Falls instead of St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls.
Indeed, the hike to Baring Falls turned out to be a beautiful journey, neither long nor strenuous. Yet while contemplating where to park (it’s quite a problem during the summer season), we missed the initial trailhead. After we realized our mistake, turning back and hoping for an empty parking spot near Sunrift Gorge was out of question.
The hike to Baring Falls, however, wasn’t. Now our journey started in the Sun Point area as opposed to Sunrift Gorge. The hike to Baring Falls from the Sun Point parking lot was a little bit longer. Yet it had a nice bonus: gorgeous views of St. Mary Lake.
Baring Falls Hike: Meet the Waterfall
A part of the famous trio of waterfalls in the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Baring Falls is an often overlooked attraction. After hiking to St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls, many visitors either have enough of Glacier’s waterfalls or don’t have any clue about the third waterfall, Baring Falls.
Yet the one-tier waterfall is not to miss. Streaming down a rock ledge, the waterfall plunges nearly 30 feet before being carried via Baring Creek into St. Mary Lake.
HOW TO HIKE TO BARING FALLS: ONE WATERFALL, THREE TRAILS
Three trails lead to alluring Baring Falls. Every path is different in length and difficulty. Unique sites and a couple of Glacier’s iconic photo spots along longer trails entice experienced adventurers and landscape photographers. Families with kids normally stick to the shortest Baring Falls hike.
Let’s explore each of these Baring Falls Trails in detail.
1. Baring Falls Hike from Sunrift Gorge
Hike Stats
- Distance: 0.7-mile, round-trip trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 160 feet
- Trailhead: Sunrift Gorge
- Time: 30-40 minutes
Hike Description
The hike to Baring Falls from Sunrift Gorge is the shortest of the three trails. The path starts by following the Siyeh Pass Trail. About 0.3 mile into the hike, you come across a trail junction. Continue on to the right until you reach the footbridge over Baring Creek, located approximately 0.1 mile from the place where the trail forks. The hike is so easy that it feels like a pleasant stroll with a waterfall at the end as a bonus.
2. Baring Falls Hike from Sun Point Area
Hike Stats
- Distance: 1.2-mile, round-trip trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Elevation Gain: 150-160 feet
- Trailhead: Three Falls Trail at west end of the Sun Point parking area
- Time: 1 hour
Hike Description
The hike to Baring Falls from the Sun Point area is almost double the Baring Falls Trail from Sunrift Gorge. Yet it has plenty of advantages to win you over.
First, the trailhead starts at the far end of a rather big parking lot that even in the summer had plenty of open spots. Second, the views of aquamarine St. Mary Lake are to look forward while hiking to Baring Falls. Third, the trail is easy and virtually flat.
As you start your hike to Baring Falls, the trail runs gradually downhill until it reaches a cliff towering over the shore of the lake. The path stays close to the lake for a while and then sprints into an overgrown valley. Soon a trail junction comes into view. Take the left path and continue on until you come across a wooden footbridge and Baring Falls just a short walk behind it.
Follow the same trail to get back to the Sun Point area.
3. Baring Falls Hike from St. Mary Falls Shuttle Stop
Hike Stats
- Distances: 5.2-mile loop
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 700 feet
- Trailhead: St. Mary Falls Cutoff Trail
- End: Sunrift Gorge
- Time: 3 hours
Hike Description
Baring Falls is not the highlight of this hike, but rather a pleasant bonus. St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls steal the show during this somewhat strenuous hiking endeavor. Many visitors of Glacier National Park turn back after seeing Virginia Falls, preferring to do a separate, shorter hike to Baring Falls from Sunrift Gorge.
Yet those who are in for the more challenging hikes feel inspired to traverse another 2 miles to Baring Falls.
The trail starts at the St. Mary Falls Cutoff Trail. Similar to the above-mentioned hikes, the path runs through the forest burned during the Reynolds Creek Fire of 2015. About 0.25 mile after departing from the shuttle stop, you reach the Piegan Pass Trail junction. Keep to the right here.
A second trail junction shows along the trail shortly after that. Stay on the left trail, the St. Mary Lake Trail, until you reach St. Mary Falls and eventually Virginia Falls, passing a few unnamed waterfalls along the way.
To hike to Baring Falls from here, first you need to get back to the St. Mary Falls Cutoff Trail/Piegan Pass Trail junction. Make a right turn here and follow the trail leading to the Sun Point area until it takes you to roaring Baring Falls.
To get to the Sunrift Gorge area from here, cross the footbridge and follow the trail until the Siyeh Pass Trail junction. Stay on the left trail for another 0.3 mile. Once at Sunrift Gorge, use a shuttle or walk back to the parking lot where you parked.
How to Get to Baring Falls: Location and Direction
Baring Falls is nestled in the Going-to-the-Sun Road area in East Glacier. The place is easiest to reach while driving from the St. Mary/East Glacier entrance, located approximately 10 miles away. The distance from the West Glacier entrance to Barring Falls is nearly 40 miles.
TIP: As of the summer season of 2024, Glacier National Park requires a vehicle reservation to visit the Going-to-the-Sun Road, Many Glacier, and North Fork. The reservation can be made at recreation.gov.
When to Hike to Baring Falls
Portion of the Going-to-the-Sun Road area is closed from mid-November through late June. To the delight of many waterfall enthusiasts, it doesn’t include the areas near the St. Mary entrance. With that said, the region welcomes outdoor adventurers all year round. Moreover, as a glacier-fed nature waterfall, Baring Falls provides a steady flow throughout the year.
READ MORE: The Best Time to Visit Glacier National Park
Tips for Hiking to Baring Falls
Bear Safety
The forested areas of Glacier National Park abound with bears. Knowing how to protect yourself in the bear country is essential when hiking to Baring Falls. It’s recommended to walk in groups and have bear spray within easy reach in case of a bear attack.
Keep a Safe Distance
Apart from the bears, you can encounter pikas, chipmunks, foxes, and other wildlife of Glacier. Be sure to enjoy their company from a safe distance. The national park’s guidelines are 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from all other animals.
Bring Water
A part of the Baring Falls hike is exposed to the sun. In the summer, this might be the most challenging area of the trail. So be sure to stay hydrated and well protected from the sun.
Sunscreen and Hat for Summer Hike to Baring Falls
It’s only natural to protect your skin from the sun. So wear your hat and use a generous amount of sunblock. The chances are the Baring Falls hike is not your first or last adventure in Glacier National Park. Therefore, don’t let any sunburns get in the way of your future outdoor excursions.
Read More
- THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN GLACIER: 10 Epic Places Not to Miss in Glacier National Park
- VISIT MANY GLACIER: First-Timer’s Guide to Visiting Many Glacier: 1 – 2 Day Itinerary
