Baring Falls is a short, easy hike in Glacier National Park. This hike begins near the Sunrift Gorge Shuttle stop. There is parking just east of the shuttle stop, but it fills up fast. We highly recommend arriving early in the morning or later in the evening for a spot.
Hike Info
- Rating: easy
- Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation Gain: 400 feet
- Fees: Glacier National Park Fee
- Tips: Parking is tricky, so arrive early in the morning or later in the day. You can also ride the shuttle to this stop to avoid parking drama.
The hike starts under the bridge between the parking and the shuttle stop. The trail goes downhill parallel to the road. There are many birds and small creatures scuttling about the lush forest floor. We were amazed how wet it was in July. Most of the plants had large green leaves for catching rainfall. We even saw a mother woodpecker zipping food back and forth to her babies crying on the nest.
After only a few hundred meters the trail forks. There is a sign that points left to Sun Point and right to Baring Falls, as well as a few other waterfalls. Baring Falls is only a few hundred meters farther and the total hiking distance out and back is about half a mile.
Baring Falls is an impressive waterfall, particularly during summer runoff. It cascades down about 30 feet and you can feel the spray on your face as you approach. We spent about fifteen minutes taking pictures and enjoying the waterfall. There is a small ledge that leads closer to the waterfall. It is wide enough for a person, but make sure to hold hands because there is a drop off on the edge.
The hike heads back up the mountain, but it isn’t too steep, and it’s very short! Some people like to tie Baring Falls into their hike to St. Mary’s Falls and Virginia Falls for one big loop. We specifically split them up to cut down the distance to Virginia Falls. This hike is perfect for little ones, too!
Be sure to check out all of our Glacier National Park Kid Hikes to help you plan your trip!
