Glacier National Park

Running Eagle Falls

easy FamiliesWaterfall LoversPhotographers
0.3 mi Distance
Varies Estimated Time
one_way Trail Type

What to Expect

This is about as close to a freebie as Glacier gets. From the trailhead off Two Medicine Road, a flat, paved-then-gravel path winds through a corridor of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir before delivering you to one of the park's most unusual waterfalls in barely ten minutes. Running Eagle Falls — also called Trick Falls — earns its nickname honestly: early in summer when snowmelt is raging, the upper falls blast over a rock ledge and completely hide a second, lower waterfall pouring out of a cave in the cliff face. By late summer, the upper flow dries to a trickle and reveals the hidden falls beneath. It's a genuine two-for-one. The trail is short enough for anyone who can walk a few blocks, making it perfect for families with small kids, folks stretching their legs after a long drive, or anyone who wants a Glacier highlight without the usual suffering.
FamiliesWaterfall LoversPhotographersQuick StopsAccessibility

Safety Advisory

The rocks near the base of the falls are slick with spray — stay behind the informal viewing area, especially with children, as a slip on wet rock near moving water can turn serious fast.

This is grizzly country. The trail is short but still in bear habitat — make noise and carry bear spray, even for a ten-minute walk.

Trail Details

Distance 0.3 miles round-trip
Difficulty easy
Estimated Time Varies
Trail Type one_way
Pets Not allowed
Season Year-round
Trailhead Running Eagle Falls

Pro Tips

Trail Tip

Visit once in June when snowmelt is peaking and again in August when flow drops — you'll see two completely different waterfalls at the same spot, which is the whole point of the 'Trick Falls' nickname.

Trail Tip

The Two Medicine area is one of Glacier's least-visited valleys, so this trailhead rarely has parking pressure even on summer weekends — but pair it with a boat ride on Two Medicine Lake to make the drive worthwhile.

Trail Tip

For the best photos, arrive in the morning when the falls face soft, even light — afternoon sun creates harsh shadows on the cliff face that blow out the whitewater.

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