A trail loops through conifer forest, open meadows, and past a marshy pond, gaining elevation steadily on the first half and losing it again on the second half. There is a closed historic ranger station, views of and access to St. Mary Lake, and views of the mountains surrounding the St. Mary Valley to the north, west, and south.

The loop trail is 3 miles. In the summer, Beaver Pond Loop is a nice, relatively flat trail for hikers. In the winter, this route offers skiing and snowshoeing through aspen, meadows, and mixed conifer stands in the rolling hills east of St. Mary Lake. The trailhead is near the historic 1913 Ranger Station. The Red Eagle Trail also starts from this trailhead.

A brown sign that reads Historic 1913 Ranger Station and Beaver Pond Loop Trail with an arrow.

Beaver Pond Loop Trail

In the summer, Beaver Pond Loop is a nice, relatively flat trail for hikers. In the winter, this route offers skiing and snowshoeing through aspen, meadows, and mixed conifer stands in the rolling hills east of St. Mary Lake.

Beaver Pond Loop Trailhead

During the winter months, the Camas Road is closed to vehicle traffic. A gate closure marks the location of the parking area. This parking area fits a small number of vehicles and is the starting point for skiers and snowshoers accessing Camas Road, Fish Creek Campground, Rocky Point Trail, and McGee Meadows. Lower McDonald Creek can also be accessed from here or from Apgar Village.

Parking at the Camas Road Gate is only allowed during the winter months. From here, skiers and snowshoers can access a variety of trails.  Trails that can be reached from this parking area are:  <ul> <li>Lower McDonald Creek, 2-3 miles roundtrip. The trail begins just south of the McDonald Creek Bridge. The gentle terrain along lower McDonald Creek provides easy skiing through the forest with side trips along the creek.</li> <li>Rocky Point, 6 miles roundtrip. The trail winds down a short hill but the route is fairly level for the most part. The forest opens as you approach Rocky Point where there are views up and down Lake McDonald.  </li> <li>McGee Meadow, 11.5 miles roundtrip. The meadows can be reached via Camas Road and the Inside North Fork Road and is a nice loop, especially in winter when the roads are closed to cars but can be snowshoed or skied.</li> </ul>

A snow-covered parking lot with two vehicles parked.

Camas Road Parking at the Gate Closure

Parking at the Camas Road Gate is only allowed during the winter months. From here, skiers and snowshoers can access a variety of trails.

Camas Road Gate Parking

Jackson Glacier Overlook is home to the best view of a glacier along Going-to-the-Sun Road, telling one of the park's most important stories. In 1966, Jackson Glacier measured 316 acres. By 2015, it measured 187 acres.  You can see Jackson Glacier from the parking area, or hike towards it along the trail to Gunsight Lake, which begins at Jackson Glacier Overlook.

Jackson Glacier from GTSR

Jackson Glacier Overlook

With a mountainous backdrop and St Mary Lake just a short walk away. This stop on Going-to-the-Sun road offers breathtaking scenery as well as many services and activities.  The Rising Sun Motor Inn offers gifts, groceries, and lodging, and nearby there's access to the rising sun campground, boat tours, and the trailhead for a hike to Otokomi Lake.

The Rising Sun Motor Inn — Red-sided with yellow lettering saying its name.

The Rising Sun Motor Inn

Rising Sun

A small wayside along the trail with a watercolor drawing of cowparsnip.

Explore native plants and their traditional uses along this trail. People have lived in this area for centuries, long before it became a park. Understanding how to use native plants made life more enjoyable; plants served as food, fuel, and other valuable resources. 

A small wayside with a watercolor drawing of cowparsnip with text about native plants on the trail.

Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail

A parking lot along the Two Medicine Road. There are two large panels at the trailhead and bathrooms on the other side of the parking lot.

The Running Eagle Falls Trailhead is in the Two Medicine area of the park, past the entrance station. This area offers restrooms and accesible hiking opportunities to the Running Eagle Falls and along the Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail.

A large waterfall surrounded by rocks and trees.

Running Eagle Falls

Running Eagle Falls Trailhead

Located at a prominent bend on Going-to-the-Sun road, Siyeh Bend is a popular stop for hikers, serving as the starting point for the Siyeh Pass and Piegan Pass Trails.  It's also a transition point between higher-elevation subalpine vegetation and the forests of the east side.

Cars parked along a bend in the road, with a mountain in the distance.

A view of Siyeh Bend and Mount Siyeh.

Siyeh Bend

The hike to St. Mary and Virginia Falls—family-friendly hikes with world-class scenery—is one of the most popular day hikes on the east side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.  This trailhead is a great place to start the hike, but parking is limited and fills quickly during the busy months. The nearby St. Mary Falls shuttle stop is an excellent alternative for visitors using the shuttle service. Hikers who are willing to walk a little farther can begin the trail from Sun Point, a few miles east of here.

Cars parked at a parking lot surrounded by mountains

St. Mary Falls Trailhead

A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human history. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.