McDonald Falls Overlook along Going-to-the-Sun Road is a gorgeous place to make a quick stop for a beautiful waterfall.
Overview
Upper McDonald Creek starts way up in the high peaks of the Continental Divide and flows down to Lake McDonald and all the way out to the Middle Fork River at the southern border of Glacier National Park in West Glacier. The McDonald Creek Overlook is a good place to get a view of the waterfalls along the creek.
The overlook is an easy hike down a set of stairs to the wooden platform over the creek.
McDonald Falls
McDonald Falls
McDonald Fall Overlook Plan
During our visit to Glacier National Park, we listened to the GuideAlong audio tour and it mentioned both the spectacular McDonald Falls and the Sacred Dancing Cascade. We heard about them on our way from the Lake McDonald Lodge toward Logan Pass. I marked them down as places to check out later when we were on the way back out of the park and had more time.
The two waterfalls are a short distance from each other, but they both have their own overlook and pullout parking areas.
Getting There
Location
Glacier National Park is located in north Montana along the border between the United States and Canada. The west side of Glacier National Park is near the town of Kalispell and the Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). This is the closest airport to any part of Glacier Park, but especially the west side of the park.
Best Time to Go
Due to the heavy snowfall in the area, Glacier National Park’s famous Going-to-the-Sun Road is only open from about late June through mid-October. If you are planning a trip outside of the summer months, make sure the road is open just past the north end of Lake McDonald through Avalanche Creek and Trail of the Cedars.
All four of us at McDonald Falls
Justin and the boys looking at the falls
McDonald Falls Overlook
Who Can Go?
The McDonald Falls Overlook is easily accessible by car with the nearby parking area making it easy to get to. The overlook is a short, easy walk from the parking area, although there are stairs to get out to the actual overlook platform.
What You'll See
The main view at this stop is the McDonald Creek Fall in the Lake McDonald Valley. If you’re lucky, you may see some wildlife around such as black bears, Harlequin ducks, mountain goats, or mule deer at the side of the creek.
McDonald Falls
McDonald Falls
What to Bring & Wear
Since this is a roadside pulloff, you don’t need any special equipment to view the falls. Bring a camera to take photos of the falls, the creek, the surrounding wilderness, and your group at the overlook.
Where to Go
Enter Glacier through the West Entrance and proceed past Lake McDonald Lodge,
How Long Does it Take?
We spent about 15 minutes at the overlook and waterfall. It took only a minute or two to get to the wooden platform, and then we spent extra time just listening to the rushing water and looking at the beautiful scenery that’s so different from home in Houston.
Cost
There is no cost for the overlook, but you will have to pay the entrance fee for Glacier National Park. A private vehicle is $35, or you can purchase an annual pass for $70 or the interagency America the Beautiful Pass for $80.
McDonald Falls
Tips for McDonald Falls Overlook
- For more views of the creek and waterfalls, walk along the Upper McDonald Creek Trail which is an easy 1-mile hike round trip. Note that there are two trailheads that say Upper McDonald Creek Trail on the National Park Service maps, you want the trail that starts off of North Lake McDonald Road, not the one that connects to the Johns Lake Loop Trail.
- The parking lot is not very big, so make sure you don't miss it!
- Depending on the time of the year, and the amount of vegetation growth along the road, sometimes the fall can be seen better from the roadside than from the overlook platform.