The Easy Trail That Might As Well Be The River View Capital Of Montana

There are plenty of reasons to love hiking in Montana. The ability to test our strength is a big one, but that requires long hikes with elevation gains. The opportunity to spend time with friends and family who share a love of the outdoors is another one. While these are certainly great reasons to get outside, I especially love the incredible views that come with hiking here. This river trail in Montana offers both mountains and water, making it one of the best.

Located near East Glacier Park Village, the 1.9-mile, out-and-back Sun Point Nature Trail is one of the most beautiful hiking routes in Glacier National Park.

It sits on the northern banks of the St. Mary River, which is an offshoot of St. Mary Lake.

You'll find the trailhead at Sun Point on the Going-To-The-Sun Road. At the dedicated parking lot, head to the west side to pick up the route.

Your hike begins with a descent and leads to a turn off with access to Baring Falls. This is a great element of the trail and kids love it. This area also makes for a nice break along the way.

The route continues along St. Mary Lake which is where the views are! You'll be surrounded by mountains, making the lake look even more spectacular.

Just past the waterfall, the trail will travel upwards leading to a fantastic view of the lake.

Enjoy the sights here for a while. There are also a few areas to sit on rocks and enjoy a snack.

While there are other trails you can take from here, you can also simply turn around and come back the same way you came to complete your adventure.

This is a great beginner-friendly trail, that's also perfect for kids. Plan on spending 45 minutes to an hour for the entire journey, depending on how many times you stop to take in the view.

The Sun Point Nature Trail can be accessed all year long, but visitors say it's best from May through October. The elevation gain is about 200 feet, making it fairly flat. You can bring your favorite hiking friends along, but best to leave the furry ones at home. No dogs are allowed on the trail. To learn more about the route, check out the Sun Point Nature Trail page on AllTrails.

And, after enjoying this river trail in Montana, go in search of more time outside by making your way through the 18 best hikes in Montana.

Before you head out on this route (or any route!), be sure to check out the ultimate hiking packing list to make sure you have everything you need.