Sun Point Nature Trail

The Sun Point Nature Trail at Glacier National Park near Saint Mary, Montana is an easy 0.4-mile loop hike that features views of St. Mary Lake and its surrounding alpine mountains.

Hiking to Sun Point

Hikers can start the hike to Sun Point on either side of the loop located on the east and west side of the main parking lot. This route begins at the western side, which is technically the trailhead for the "Three Falls Hike" (aka Baring Falls, St. Mary Falls and Virginia Falls). The Sun Point Nature Trail leads down to the Piegan Pass Trail before heading east. As the path runs along the north shore of Saint Mary Lake, you'll find views of the light blue water and nearby towering alpine mountains.

Sun Point - Mile 0.25

Around mile 0.25, hikers will have ascended the highest point along the trail -- this is Sun Point. Back when the park was first opened to the public, the Going-to-the-Sun Chalets once stood on the bedrock but were demolished in 1947 after losing profitability. Hikers can still find scarce remnants of the old chalets with one concrete footing located at the very-top of Sun Point. There may be others located nearby but we didn't find more than one footing on our hike here. Views of Saint Mary Lake from Sun Point are panoramic from east to west and include distant views of Wild Goose Island.

Hiking Back - Mile 0.25 to 0.4

The hike back to parking from Sun Point is relatively easy, but mostly all uphill as the trail leads through a dense spruce forest. You'll reach the Sun Point Nature Trail trailhead around mile 0.4 at the parking lot to complete the hike.

Vehicle Reservations

Depending on what time of year you visit, you may need to reserve a vehicle entrance pass to get into the park, in addition to a park entry fee (or annual National Parks pass). Before planning this hike, ensure you've checked the NPS website for when and where Glacier NP vehicle reservations are required.

Parking

Visitors will find a very large parking lot at the coordinates provided, located on the south side of Going-to-the-Sun Road at Sun Point. The lot is large enough to fit several dozen vehicles but fills up quickly.

Pets

Dogs are not allowed on any trails at Glacier National Park.

Warning

Grizzly bears: This trail can be frequented by grizzly bears, especially in late Summer and early Fall as they scrounge for 20 hours/day bulking for the winter. Always give wild animals plenty of space, including several hundred feet for grizzlies. It's best to bring bear spray on this hike as a last defense just in case a grizzly were to charge at you. Always make plenty of noise while hiking to alert animals to your presence long before you see them. It's also smart to hike with another person.