A waterfall on McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park's glacially carved Lake McDonald Valley.
McDonald Falls lies within Glacier National Park's Lake McDonald Valley, the glacially sculpted corridor that the National Park Service calls the park's main west-side hub for lodging, camping, and day hiking. The NPS describes Lake McDonald itself as "ten miles long and nearly 500 feet deep," carved by ancient glaciers that also left behind, in the park's own words, "smaller hanging valleys with wonderful waterfalls" accessible by trails throughout the valley. McDonald Falls forms on this glacial drainage near the historic Lake McDonald Lodge area.
At our review, Glacier's official day-hike listing for the Lake McDonald area names longer, mileage-posted destinations such as Avalanche Lake (2.3 miles round trip) and Snyder Lakes, but does not carry a dedicated entry for McDonald Falls, so confirm the specific route and distance with a ranger or current trail map before setting out. The park's Trail Status Reports listed no hazard alerts for this area at the time of this review. Entry requires the standard park pass ($35 per private vehicle May 1-Oct 31, $25 Nov 1-Apr 30), and no vehicle reservation was required anywhere in the park in 2026. Apgar Visitor Center (406-888-7800) is the best source for current conditions.
Know before you go
Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald Valley (west side), near Lake McDonald Lodge; confirm the specific pullout or trail with a ranger.
Park is open year-round, but west-side services and most trails run late spring through fall; check current conditions before travel.
No dedicated mileage listed for McDonald Falls in NPS's day-hike guide for this area; verify route and distance at Apgar Visitor Center.
$35 per private vehicle (May 1-Oct 31) or $25 (Nov 1-Apr 30), valid 7 days; no vehicle reservation required in 2026.
Verify accessible routes and current conditions with Apgar Visitor Center, 406-888-7800.
2026-10-12. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- NPS Glacier National Park — Lake McDonald Valley ↗
- NPS Glacier National Park — Fees ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
