This post was edited on June 14, 2023.
Table of Contents
Day Hike to St. Mary's Glacier from Denver
St Mary’s Glacier is the perfect place for a day hike. It is one hour west from Denver, near Idaho Springs, Colorado. The short 1.5 miles round trip to the glacier and back is an easy to moderate level, and it’s suitable for families.
The trailhead leads to stunning panoramic views of St. Mary’s Lake. You can try to swim in the cold waters, paddle on it, or just enjoy it from the shore.
Going further up, you’ll reach St. Mary’s Glacier – a massive all-year-round snow formation. Here, you can take some amazing photos from above, get a picnic, or try skiing/snowboarding.
Check our full travel guide for hiking St. Mary’s Glacier, near Idaho Springs.
Is Saint Mary's Glacier really a glacier?
The short answer is No. St. Mary’s Glacier a semi-permanent snow formation, according to many experts.
Because there’s no ice in motion on Saint Mary’s Glacier, it’s actually considered a snowfield, which means it won’t be making any new mountains or valleys anytime soon.
However, it is a gorgeous place to be and totally worth the hike.
What is the best time to visit Saint Mary's Glacier?
St. Mary’s Glacier is opened all year round. However, the best time to visit is between late May and October (less or no snow on the trail). The peak months for visitors are July and August because the temperatures are the highest.
Keep in mind you are going 11, 236 feet above sea level. Therefore, expect fast change of the weather and unexpected rain/snow and wind. We recommend taking a rainproof jacket in your backpack.
For example, when we hiked to the glacier in August, firstly, it was a beautiful sunny day, with a blue sky. One hour later, scattered clouds, rain, and a strong wind came, and we were almost running on our way down.
How to Get to St. Mary's Glacier Trailhead?
The St Mary’s Glacier Trailhead is located 9.2 miles north of I-70 on SR 275 (Fall River Road). From I-70, take exit #238 for St Mary’s – Alice – Fall River Road. From the exit ramp, turn north on CR 275 and drive 9.2 miles to the St Mary’s Glacier Trailhead on the left (west) side of the road.
Parking at St. Mary's Glacier - Increased from $5 to $20 Cash
Parking along Country Road 275 (Fall River Road) is illegal. Fines, towing, and booting are possible consequences for improperly parked cars.
There are two parking lots on both sides of the trailhead. Previously, the fee per vehicle to park there was $5. As of mid-December 2022, it increased to $20 cash only per vehicle for 24 hours. It is a little pricy but still worth the visit. You should display the permit on your windshield. I advise you to bring a pen to fill in the car’s information on it.
You can find toilets in the parking lots.
An easy-moderate short hike to Saint Mary's Glacier
| Round Trip Distance: | 1.5 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 10,428′ – 10,848′ |
| Trail Difficulty: | Easy to Moderate |
| Time to spend there: | 1-2 hours |
| Parking: | Yes, $20 – cash only |
| Suitable for families with children? | Yes |
| Are dogs allowed on the trail? | Yes, on a leash |
| Are bikes allowed? | No |
| Are ATVs allowed? | No |
| Is the trail open all year round? | Yes |
Hiking to St. Mary's Lake
The first part of the hike is reaching Saint Mary’s Lake. The trail is rocky, so be careful to not slip and fall. You’ll pass through a beautiful pine forest. There are not many signs, so follow the path and the small stream.
Swim, Paddle, Go Fishing at Saint Mary's Lake, Idaho Springs
Once you reach the lake, you will be stunned by the spectacular view of it and the glacier behind it. As with all high-alpine lakes, the water is crystally clear.
There are a few things to see and do at Saint Mary’s Lake.
Swimming
You can try swimming in the cold waters. We saw a few enthusiasts also jumping from a cliff over the lake.
Kayaking
Some people paddle on the lake with inflatable kayaks or paddleboards. This would be an incredible activity to try the next time we visit this marvelous place.
Fishing
Fishing is allowed with a valid state permit only on the north side of the lake. Keep in mind that you’ll pass through private lands, so respect it.
Hiking to the top of St. Mary's Glacier
Continue to walk on the right side of the lake to get to the path leading to the snow mass. You don’t need to get too far to see the gorgeous views from above.
What to see and do once you reach the glacier?
Enjoy the view from the top
Once you reach the “base” of the glacier, turn around and check the view. You will be stunned by the beautiful St Mary’s Lake below and James Peak on your left.
Try skiing or snowboarding on the glacier
Do you like skiing or snowboarding? Get your equipment on your back and hike with it to the top of the Saint Mary’s Glacier. It is a short-distance slide but totally worth the effort.
This post has affiliate links to products I love and recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our website.
What to Bring for a Day Hike to Saint Mary Glacier, Colorado
Here is a short list of what to bring with you on a hike to St. Mary’s Glacier:
- good hiking shoes
- comfortable clothes
- day backpack
- a bottle of water
- a waterproof jacket
- sunglasses
- sunscreen lotion
- a hat
- some snacks or a lunch
- optional: your ski or snowboard equipment to slide on the glacier
- optional: a swimsuit for St. Mary’s Lake – some people jump and swim in the cold waters, don’t recommend it
- optional: inflatable kayak or paddleboard to paddle on the lake – want to try it the next time we visit
Final Words
Saint Mary’s Glacier, near Idaho Springs, Colorado, is a fabulous place to go for a day hike. Enjoy it with the whole family and get impressed by the views from the top. Swim in St. Mary’s Lake or go skiing on the glacier above. This is one of our favorite short hikes near Denver, and we recommend it trying it at least once.
Happy Hiking,
Explore | Learn |Inspire
Pin our pins for later
Looking to explore other awesome places in Colorado?
Thank you for reading this post! Please share, pin, and comment below.
The parking is actually a $20 fee just so everyone is aware. And it is strictly enforced with someone in the parking lot monitoring. It’s one of my favorite hikes in colorado, but not after paying $20 to hike in 2 feet of snow still. I was just there yesterday.
Thank you for the update, Suzannah! Wow, the parking fee has increased a lot since we were there!
This looks like a beautiful and easy hike. I love that you can slide down the glacier, and I LOVE the view from it over the lake.
Thank you, Megan!
This looks like a beautiful place, and a relatively easy hike. I usually aim for more moderate hikes as it means that they might be less busy but this one doesn’t seem too bad. I can’t wait to go back to Colorado again, so I’ll have to put this one on my list for when I do
Thank you very much, Emma! Saint Mary’s Glacier is a great, half-day hike and one you should do the next time you are in Colorado!
Interesting, makes me want to go
Thank you, Gloria! Yes, you should visit St. Mary’s Glacier!
This looks like a beautiful part of Colorado to go hiking at. Thanks for the tips on what to expect and what to bring with you!
Thank you, Krista! I appreciate your comment!
This hike looks amazing! I visited Colorado for the second time just recently and can’t get over how beautiful it is. I definitely need to go back and do this hike. 🙂
Thank you, Taylor! This is a must-see place in Colorado!