Rockwell Falls is tucked into the mountains in one of the most iconic parts of Glacier National Park. This beautiful double cascade is an easy 6.6-mile round-trip hike passing through pine forests, lake shore, and grassy meadows.
Rockwell Falls is located in the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park. Two Medicine is located in the southeastern corner of the park, and is the home of the Park’s original entrance, and many of the vistas that are most recognizable as Glacier National Park.
The hike to Rockwell Falls starts at Two Medicine Lake. To locate the South Shore trailhead, park in the small parking lot, and look for the boat launch. From here, you’ll likely want to stop and enjoy the views of towering peaks that are the backdrop for Two Medicine Lake.
Rockwell Falls is easily accessed from the Two Medicine Pass trail. Along this trail, you’ll have great views of many of Glacier National Park’s massive mountains. Hikers on this trail are also often treated to views of some of Glacier’s most iconic wildlife including moose, black bear, elk, and others.
Two Medicine Pass trail has a small turn-off trail to Aster Falls. This small waterfall on Aster Creek is a nice stop on your way back to the car from Rockwell Falls.
Rockwell Falls, Glacier County
We will take a closer look at Rockwell Falls, including activities and places to stay near the falls for you to make the most out of your trip to Big Sky Country.
Rockwell Falls Statistics
- Elevation: 5,471 feet
- Height: 30 to 40 feet
- Trailhead: South Shore Trailhead (Two Medicine Pass)
- Season (when can it be accessed): April to October
Things to Do Near Rockwell Falls
Centrally located in the Two Medicine Lake area of Glacier National Park, there are plenty of recreational activities for you to enjoy while you’re in the area of Rockwell Falls.
Hiking
Hiking is one of the most accessible and popular activities in Glacier National Park. With hundreds of trails ranging from very easy to difficult, there is a hike in the park for every visitor.
In the Two Medicine Lake area of the park, there are a number of different trails to be explored. Near the South Shore trailhead where you’ll head out for Rockwell Falls, there are 13 additional trails that can be taken.
In general, trails in the Two Medicine area are fairly short, but some can be quite difficult. You can also use the trails in Two Medicine to connect with trails that take you further into the remote backcountry of the park.
Camping
There are plenty of places to camp in the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park. One of the larger campgrounds in Glacier National Park is located near Two Medicine Lake.
There are also a number of nice campgrounds and RV parks located in East Glacier which is the town nearest to the Two Medicine entrance of the Park.
If you are looking for a quieter experience, the Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park also offers camping at a number of backcountry campsites.
These remote locations are accessible by hiking and do require that you obtain a backcountry permit before heading out. Backcountry permits can be purchased at the Two Medicine Ranger Station.
Canoeing/Kayaking
One of the fun offerings at Two Medicine Lake is canoe rentals. Take a peaceful paddle across Two Medicine Lake. From the quiet of the lake, you can enjoy the dramatic views without all the other tourists.
Canoeing will also give you an opportunity to view wildlife in a more peaceful environment. Canoes and kayaks can be rented from Glacier Park Boats, located at the Two Medicine Lake main parking area.
Fishing
The Two Medicine area of Glacier National Park offers a number of great fishing opportunities. You can enjoy bait casting from the shore or piers at Two Medicine Lake. This lake has a nice population of trout and other game fish.
If Two Medicine Lake is too busy for your likes, you can also bait cast from Lower Two Medicine and Upper Two Medicine Lakes. There are also numerous streams and creeks that offer great fly fishing opportunities.
Before fishing in Glacier National Park, don’t forget to purchase your fishing license online through the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks.
Can You Swim at Rockwell Falls?
As with many of the waterfalls in Glacier National Park, Rockwell Falls isn’t the best place to swim. While these falls are quite accessible and have a nice pool, the water is cold and not great for swimming.
Additionally, the pool and creek at Rockwell Falls are quite shallow. This makes Rockwell Falls a nice place to put your toes in the water or enjoy a little wading.
The creek and falls do run quite rapidly during the spring run-off which can make wading or swimming near Rockwell Falls dangerous.
Where to Stay Near Rockwell Falls
East Glacier, MT is the nearest town to Rockwell Falls. This small community has quite a few lodging options including rental houses, cabins, campgrounds, and hotels.
If you would like to stay in Glacier National Park, your best bet is the Two Medicine Campground. This is the closest campground to Rockwell Falls.
- Travelers Rest Lodge
- Dancing Bears Inn
- Whistling Swan Motel
- Circle R Motel
- Glacier Peaks Hotel
- Glacier Park Lodge
- Mountain Pine Motel
- East Glacier Motel and Cabins
- Jacobson’s Cottages
- Bison Creek Ranch
- Aspenwood Resort and RV Park
- Red Eagle Campground
Trail Routes Near Rockwell Falls
One of the nice features of the Two Medicine Lake area is the availability of trails. This area has over twenty trails that start near the lake and provide visitors with hikes through some of the most beautiful parts of Glacier National Park.
Rockwell Falls Trail
The trail to Rockwell Falls starts at the boat launch on Two Medicine Lake. You’ll start your hike at the South Shore Trailhead. This trail is considered a moderately easy trail.
Over the 6.6 miles out and back you’ll have 403 feet of elevation gain. While you start your hike on the South Shore trail, you’ll connect with the Two Medicine Pass trail that will lead you past Rockwell Falls.
You can also take the small connector trail to Aster Falls. This trail is fairly busy, so the best time to hike is early in the morning or later in the afternoon. During these times you have the best chance of spotting some of the park’s more reclusive wildlife species.
Two Medicine Lake Loop
The Two Medicine Lake Loop, while long, is a fairly easy and enjoyable hike. The loop takes you completely around Two Medicine Lake and around Prayer Lake as well.
The total trail is a 9.7 mile loop with 718 feet of elevation gain. It is the trail length that makes this hike more challenging than others in the area.
Along the loop, there are a number of connector trails that will take you to the shores of Two Medicine Lake where you can enjoy beautiful views of many of the large peaks that surround the lake.
Upper Two Medicine Trail
The 11.2-mile out and back Upper Two Medicine Lake trail takes you from the boat launch at Two Medicine Lake to the very peaceful Upper Two Medicine Lake.
This small lake is tucked in between Mount Hellen and Rockwell Peak, and is at the base of Lone Walker Mountain. These are some of the most dramatic peaks in the park, so the hike to Upper Two Medicine Lake is quite breathtaking.
There is a small campsite at Upper Two Medicine Lake that you can enjoy if you would like to make the hike a multi-day experience.
Bears and moose are frequently seen along the trail to Upper Two Medicine Lake so make sure that you are aware of best practices for hiking in bear country.
Aster Park
The Aster Park trail is a nice, short 3.5-mile out-and-back trail. This moderately challenging trail takes you from the South Shore trailhead to the Aster Park lookout point.
Along this trail, you will pass Aster Falls, a small waterfall located along the trail. The view from the overlook is quite lovely, looking out over Two Medicine Lake.
Aster Falls is a nice place to stop and enjoy a snack. Dip your toes into Aster Creek for a quick cool down before heading down the trail.
Cobalt Lake Trail
Cobalt Lake sits at the base of Chief Lodgepole Peak. This small and peaceful lake is a nice place to spend the night, camping at the Cobalt Lake campsite.
This backcountry camping spot is accessible on the Cobalt Lake Trail. The trail is a moderately difficult, 10.6 mile out and back trail.
It covers 1,551 feet of elevation gain, mostly as you climb to the lake from the base of Painted Tepee Peak. This trail has outstanding views and is a great trail to hike if you enjoy wildflowers.