Taking a Saint Mary Lake Boat Ride while at Glacier National Park offers a unique view with a guided tour.
1.5 Hours
Summer
$39.45 per Adult, $19.70 per Child, plus $35 per Vehicle entrance fee
Overview
Boat rides on St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park offer a serene and captivating experience amidst stunning natural beauty.
While on the boat tour, you have the opportunity to see:
- The mountains that make up the Continental Divide
- Crystal clear waters of Saint Mary Lake in the mountain valley
- Wildlife such as mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bears on the surrounding cliffs or fish such as lake trout in the water
- View Sexton Glacier which feeds into St. Mary Lake
- View the famous Goose Creek Island in the middle of the waters of St. Mary Lake
One of the boats on Saint Mary lake
Saint Mary Lake
Saint Mary Lake Boat Ride Plan
When we started planning our vacation to Glacier National Park we saw a lot of people recommending a boat ride on one of the park’s lakes. This was also the first time we were going to a park with multiple vehicles needing vehicle reservations, and having an excursion booked in the park gave you access to that part of the park for the day.
We were concerned about getting the passes for Going-to-the-Sun Road, so we made two separate reservations so we had one for each vehicle. However now, according to the Glacier Park Boat Company website, the tour tickets only get you access to the east side of the park near the St. Mary Visitor Center, not the entire Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor.
At first, we booked one of the Lake McDonald boat tours. Then after more research, we decided to cancel that one and go to St. Mary’s Lake instead. We heard it was a more scenic boat ride and takes you to a beautiful waterfall.
Saint Mary Lake
Saint Mary Lake
Getting There
Location
Glacier National Park is located in Northwestern Montana near the Canadian border. The east side of Glacier National Park is not near any major airports with the closest being Great Falls International Airport a few hours away.
Best Time to Go
The summer months are the best time to go to Glacier National Park because of the amount of snowfall they receive in the winter. For the boat ride, the summer is also better because the water will be flowing at Baring Falls where the scenic boat cruise makes a stop for hiking.
Saint Mary Lake
Rocks along Saint Mary Lake
Saint Mary Lake Boat Ride
Who Can Go?
A boat ride on Saint Mary Lake is feasible for just about any visitor to the park. A standard-sized wheelchair can fit on an outside deck on the boats. Children under 4 are free
What You'll See
Take a ride on a historic wooden boat from Glacier Park Boat Co. for a breathtaking ride on one of the park’s glacial lakes to the trailhead for Baring Falls.
The views from the middle of the lake are just amazing. We were able to photograph Wild Goose Island from up close and view Glacier National Park’s mountain peaks. The boat captain talked about the history of the park, the geology, and what we were viewing throughout the whole ride.
Once we got to the Baring Falls trailhead, we had a short hike to the waterfall. Tyler, Ryan, and I found a way to climb along the left side of the rocks and get out close to the waterfall. It was a gorgeous area that we likely wouldn’t have stopped at along the road.
Wild Goose Island
Wild Goose Island
Saint Mary Lake
Saint Mary Lake
Saint Mary Lake
Tyler & Ryan on the boat ride
What to Bring & Wear
The boat has an enclosed cabin and an open-air deck on the back so you have the option to stay inside or outside. There are also windows in the cabin that can be opened to let the breeze in. You shouldn’t get wet or splashed on the boat ride, so water clothing isn’t necessary.
With the hike to the Baring Falls, make sure to wear sneakers or hiking shoes for the short trail. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for the trail and if you plan to sit on the open-deck portion of the boat. There are so many scenic views, too, so make sure to have a camera with you.
Where to Go
The boat ride starts at the Rising Sun Boat Dock at 28 Dock Road, Browning, MT. Check-in at the ticket office at least 30 minutes before your scheduled boat ride.
Glacier National Park’s East Entrance is the closest entrance to the waters of St. Mary Lake and the boat dock.
How Long Does it Take?
The round trip ride takes about 1.5 hours with the first tour time starting at 9AM and the last at 6PM daily in the summer months.
Cost
The cost varies based on age and the time of the boat trips. You can purchase tickets at their website here: https://www.glacierparkboats.com/.
1.5-hour trips including a stop at Baring Falls:
Adults age 13 and older: $39.45
Child age 4-12: $19.70
Child under 4: Free
The 1-hour trip that does not include a stop at Baring Falls:
Adults age 13 and older: $26.30
Child age 4-12: $13.15
Child under 4: Free
This tour is only offered at 6PM.
Going into Glacier National Park will incur an entrance fee of $35 per private vehicle which is good for up to 7 days from the date of purchase. A motorcycle can get in for $30 and a pedestrian for $20 per person.
For those who live in the area and plan to visit throughout the year, Glacier offers an annual entrance pass for $70. Otherwise, if you are planning to go to multiple national parks in a year, the America the Beautiful Pass for $80 is the best deal.
Other Boat Ride Options in Glacier National Park
Glacier Park Boat Company is the only authorized concessioner for boat rides in Glacier National Park. They offer boat tours at four locations in the park. We chose St. Mary at Rising Sun.
The Lake McDonald Tour is a 1-hour tour with no hiking options. It launches behind Lake McDonald Lodge and includes a vehicle pass for the West Entrance into the park.
Two Medicine Lake boat tours include a hike to Twin Falls. The boat ride is only about 45 minutes but they suggest planning about 2-3 hours to include the hike. This gains you access through the Two Medicine entrance only and meets in Two Medicine Valley.
A boat tour on Swifcurrent Lake in the Many Glacier area loads at the head of Lake Josephine and will take you over to a trailhead with multiple trail options.
Tyler captaining the boat
Ryan captaining the boat
Tips for a Boat Ride on Saint Mary Lake
- Watch the time when you get to the trailhead for Baring Falls. Your boat captain will tell you what time to be back at the dock for the return trip.
- If you enter through the west side of the park, plan at least 2 hours to drive to the boat dock as you go along one of the most spectacular scenic drives in the country.
- The hike to St. Mary Falls is no longer available from this boat ride.