Glacier National Park

Rainbow Falls

easy FamiliesWaterfall LoversPhotographers
1 mi Distance
30 ft Elevation Gain
Varies Estimated Time
one_way Trail Type

What to Expect

This is one of the most uniquely accessed trails in all of Glacier — you can only reach the Goat Haunt trailhead by boat across Upper Waterton Lake, which means you've already had an adventure before your boots hit dirt. The trail itself is practically flat, threading through dense old-growth forest along the valley floor with barely enough elevation change to notice. The path is well-maintained and shaded, following a creek corridor where the air stays cool even on warm summer days. After a gentle half-mile stroll, Rainbow Falls appears — a broad, photogenic cascade that fans across layered rock, often catching enough mist and light to justify its name. This is the ideal trail for anyone who wants a genuine backcountry waterfall without the backcountry suffering.
FamiliesWaterfall LoversPhotographersBoat AdventureEasy Strolls

Safety Advisory

This is grizzly bear country with limited escape routes. Make noise on the trail and carry bear spray — the dense forest and creek noise can mask your approach from wildlife.

If you miss the last return boat, you are stranded at Goat Haunt with no road access. Know the departure schedule and give yourself a generous buffer.

Trail Details

Distance 1 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain 30 ft
Difficulty easy
Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type one_way
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Rainbow Falls

Pro Tips

Trail Tip

You must take the MV International boat from Waterton townsite in Canada to reach Goat Haunt — check the current season schedule carefully, as boats typically only run from late June through mid-September and sell out on weekends.

Trail Tip

Bring your passport or approved travel document. Goat Haunt sits just south of the US-Canada border, so you'll clear customs at the dock before hiking. No passport, no hike — no exceptions.

Trail Tip

Time your visit for midday when the sun is high enough to illuminate the mist at the falls. The narrow valley loses direct light early and late, but when the angle is right, you'll see exactly how this waterfall earned its name.

More Trails in Glacier

Explore Glacier National Park

13 campgrounds, 745 trails, 3.2M annual visitors

View Park Guide