Bird Woman Falls is one of the prominent Glacier National Park waterfalls that drops about 560 feet.
Overview
Bird Woman Falls cascades down the western slopes of the Continental Divide in the Lewis Range. The waterfall is fed by melting snow and glacial runoff, which ensures it flows steadily throughout the warmer months.
Bird Woman Falls Plan
The overlook for Bird Woman Falls was one of the many stops we made along Going-to-the-Sun Road on the way to Logan Pass Visitor Center. We didn’t plan to stop here ahead of time, but we saw the sign and heard about it on our GuideAlong Tour.
Getting There
Location
Glacier Park is located in northwestern Montana near the border between the United States and Canada. The park has three main areas, with the West Entrance near Kalispell, Whitefish, and West Glacier and the other three entrances are on the east side of the park near St. Mary and Babb. Jackson Glacier Overlook is along the Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor, so you’ll need to go through either the West Entrance near Apgar and West Glacier or through the East Entrance near St. Mary and Rising Sun.
Best Time to Go
Glacier National Park gets feet of snow and ice in the winter, and it doesn’t usually melt enough for Going-to-the-Sun Road to be open until mid to late June. Then it will close again around October for the season. If you want to be guaranteed to get to the glacier overlook, the late spring or early summer months are the best time to go. Just know that it’s also peak season, so the park gets busy and the parking area will fill fast at the main attractions.
The summer months, with most of the snow and ice melted away, have greater views of the glaciers and waterfalls. The snow melts in the warmth feeding the waterfalls down the slope of the mountains.
Bird Woman Falls
Who Can Go?
Though there is no specific trail leading directly to Bird Woman Falls, its grandeur can be appreciated from several viewpoints along the road. For this reason, it is accessible to just about anyone who wants to stop and take in the views of Bird Woman Falls.
What You'll See
Bird Woman Falls is set against the backdrop of Mount Oberlin and Mount Cannon, making it a beautiful sight as water cascades down the rugged cliffs into the valley below. Look around for wildlife such as bighorn sheep and mountain goats in the area.
Ryan and Tyler looking at the fall
Bird Woman Falls
What to Bring & Wear
If you are only stopping at the overlook, the only thing you really need to bring is a camera to catch a photo of the stunning scenery and the waterfall. The falls are at a distance from the road, so bringing binoculars or a zoom camera lens can help you get a better view of its full height and details.
Where to Go
The waterfall is best viewed from the Going-to-the-Sun Road, particularly at the Weeping Wall section, where you can get sweeping views of the valley below and Bird Woman Falls in the distance.
Sign at the overlook
View into the valley
How Long Does it Take?
The overlook only takes about 5-10 minutes, depending on how long you want to take in the beautiful scene. This is not a very popular place to stop along Going-to-the-Sun Road, so you should be able to get there easily.
Cost
There’s no cost for the overlook, but you’ll pay an entrance fee for the national park. A private car is $35 and the pass is good for up to 7 days from the date of purchase. You can also buy an annual pass at $70 or the America the Beautiful pass for $80. Don’t forget, during peak season, you will also need a vehicle reservation to enter the park so make sure to purchase that ahead of time.
Tips for Bird Woman Falls
- The waterfall is named in honor of Sacagawea, the Native American Shoshone woman who helped guide the Lewis and Clark Expedition. She is often referred to as "Bird Woman."
- While there isn’t a trail that leads directly to Bird Woman Falls, the Highline Trail offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, including distant views of the falls.
- Visit early in the day to avoid shadows cast by nearby mountains, and for a softer, more flattering light for photography.