WaterfallNear Me

McDonald Falls

Flathead County, Montana

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Flathead County, Montana
Access status
Short trail route with published distance
The walk
About 0.3 mile one way (about 0.6 mile return)
Ground & access
Gravel footpath, mostly level.
Hiking in Glacier: Upper McDonald Creek Trail
McDonald Falls, MT
McDonald Falls, MT
Photo creditPhoto: Martin Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From Lake McDonald Lodge, drive east on Going-to-the-Sun Road about 1.5 miles and turn left onto North Lake McDonald Road. The trailhead is on the right about 0.3 mile from the Sun Road. Walk the gravel path through old-growth cedar and hemlock forest about 0.3 mile to McDonald Falls on McDonald Creek. Return the same way, or continue to Sacred Dancing Cascade.

Plan your visit

Upper McDonald Creek Trailhead on North Lake McDonald Road to McDonald Falls

Hiking in Glacier says McDonald Falls is roughly three-tenths of a mile from the trailhead. The return figure is doubled from that.

Gravel footpath, mostly level.

Where to start

Small pull-off at the trailhead for a handful of cars. Also a pull-off by the McDonald Creek bridge, or the large lot at North Lake McDonald Road and Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Timing & water

Not stated in the sources read; check park road status for North Lake McDonald Road.

Before you go

Glacier National Park entrance pass required; the park lists the standard pass at $20 to $35 and does not accept cash. The park says no vehicle reservations are required in 2026.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Montana

Waterfall location

Flathead County, Montana.

Open location map