While there are actually two St. Mary Lakes, the second, Lower St. Mary Lake, is outside the northern edge of Glacier National Park and receives much less attention from the tourist crowd. The two are joined by the 1.78 km (1.10 mi) (as the crow flies; it's actually longer as it meanders, as rivers are wont to do) long St. Mary River, a tributary of the South Saskatchewan River. The Saint Mary together with the Belly River and Waterton River drains a small portion of Montana, in the United States, to the Hudson Bay watershed in Canada.
Known for its boating and water-skiing opportunities, St. Mary Lake is just inside Glacier National Park’s east entrance.
Going-To-The-Sun Road follows its northern shore for most of its length.
Numerous hiking trailheads are to be found along its shores, or one may book a boat cruise, troll for mackinaw, picnic, trek or camp at this exquisite location.
9.9 miles (15.9 km) long and 300 feet (91 m) deep, the lake occupies a surface area of 3,923 acres (15.88 km2). A high mountain lake at an elevation of 4,484 feet (1,367 m), its water rarely rises above 50 °F (10 °C), making it an excellent trout fishing lake, holding several species of trout.
Near the mid point of the lake at the eastern end of
The Narrows, on the north side, one will find a small marina with a concrete boat launch. Immediately above the launch is a small amount of parking, while further above is more parking suitable for vehicles with boat trailers. Permits are required to launch from any lake within the park, which are "
available at all back country reservation and information desks". All watercraft launched within Glacier National Park
MUST be inspected for aquatic invasive species (AIS) prior to launching.
Here, one may also embark on a boat tour around the lake, provided by the
Glacier Park Tour Company. Alternatively, one may take a kayak out on the lake and experience views only available from the water. Glacier Park Boat Company has been operating scenic boat tours on the lakes of Glacier National Park since 1938.
St. Mary Lake
St. Mary Lake is located on the east side of Glacier National Park along the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The 10-mile long lake offers a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities include elk, mule deer and both grizzly and black bears. In the warmer seasons, wildflowers such as Indian paintbrush and lupine grace the hillsides; in the fall, the hillsides burst with oranges and yellows of the aspens, while winter provides cross-country and snowshoeing opportunities.
As you travel on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, watch for numerous pullouts that provide opportunities to see Jackson Glacier, hike to 100-foot Virginia Falls or photograph Wild Goose Island. Just past the East Entrance, the St. Mary Visitor Center provides opportunities to meet staff rangers, learn about the park and see "the Backbone of the World" (as it's called by the Blackfeet) through eyes of the Native Americans who call Glacier home.
Another great way to experience the lake is via a scenic boat cruise. Glacier Park Boat Company provides tours June through September.
From Visit Montana