St. Mary’s Glacier is one of the most popular short hikes near Denver. A rocky trail climbs about three-quarters of a mile from the parking lots off Fall River Road to St. Mary’s Lake, then continues to the base of a big snowfield above it. It’s close to I-70, the views are huge for the effort, and it makes a great first alpine hike if you’re new to Colorado.
It also catches a lot of people off guard. The “glacier” is really a perennial snowfield, and in September 2026 it melted out completely for the first time in recent memory. When there is snow, it’s steep enough that hikers fall and get hurt every year. This guide covers the route, the $20 parking, and how to stay safe.
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From the parking lots (about 10,400 feet), the trail climbs a rocky old road through the trees. It’s about three-quarters of a mile to the lake, with roughly 400 feet of gain. The footing is loose rock most of the way, so take your time, especially on the way down. Stay on the trail and respect the private homes and land along the lower section.
The trail levels out at St. Mary’s Lake. It’s a great spot for a break and photos, and it’s where a lot of families turn around.
From the lake, follow the trail to the base of the snowfield at about 10,850 feet. When there’s snow, you can climb as high as you’re comfortable. The top of the snowfield sits around 11,200 feet, where the terrain opens onto tundra.
Most injuries here happen on the snow. Kick solid steps, wear microspikes when it’s icy, and only slide down if you can control your speed and see a safe runout. Stay well away from the cliffs on the west side of the snowfield.
Strong hikers can keep going across the tundra to James Peak (13,272 feet by LiDAR, 13,294 on older maps). It’s about 8 to 9 miles round trip from the lots with roughly 2,800 to 3,200 feet of gain, and the summit pyramid is steep. See my James Peak route guide before you try it.
Use these resources to plan your hike. I recommend printing out a paper map to bring with you or buying a topographic route map online.
Use this topographic route map of the Saint Mary’s Glacier Trail to plan your hike. You can open it in Cal Topo to view it full-sized or zoom in and out.
This graph shows the elevation change along the trail leading to the base of Saint Mary’s Glacier.
These photos show the St. Mary’s Glacier hike and were taken in 2023 and 2024.
The only legal parking is in two privately owned lots off Fall River Road, just past the old mining town of Alice. Parking on Fall River Road or in the neighborhoods isn’t allowed, and cars without a permit can be towed.
Parking fee: $20 per vehicle. Pay at the self-pay station with cash or a check (no cards). Fill out the permit, put your payment in the envelope, and leave your copy on the dashboard. Bring cash from home. The lots fill early on summer weekends, so arrive early.
There are portable toilets at the lots but no drinking water.
Directions from Denver:
Any car can make the drive in summer. In winter, the road can be snowy and slick after storms.
Conditions at St. Mary’s change fast. In winter and spring the trail is packed snow and ice, and the snowfield can avalanche when danger is moderate or higher. By late summer the snow shrinks and gets icy and steep, and in 2026 it was gone entirely by mid-September. Check these sources before you go:
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St. Mary’s sits above 10,000 feet, so it’s colder and windier than Denver, and summer thunderstorms often build by early afternoon. Check the forecast the night before and the morning of your hike.
Help protect access to this amazing place by following these Leave No Trace ethics tips and practices during your visit to this trail:
Here’s a concise summary of the seven Leave No Trace (LNT) principles and relevant tips for hiking in Colorado:
Check out our complete Leave No Trace guide here to learn more about protecting the outdoor places you love for future generations and adventures.
St. Mary’s sees heavy crowds, and trash and illegal campfires have been ongoing problems here. Pack out everything, including food scraps and dog waste, and respect the private homes along the road and trail.
There are many hazards in the mountains, including at this trail. It has been the site of multiple fatal accidents in recent years. Here are a few essential tips for staying safe while hiking in Colorado:
Learn more in our complete mountain safety guide here with more tips and expert advice for risk management and mitigation.
St. Mary’s looks easy, but it has a long history of serious accidents:
On snow, kick solid steps, wear microspikes when it’s icy, and stay off the cliffs west of the snowfield. In winter and spring, check the avalanche forecast and avoid the steep slopes when danger is moderate or higher.
Camping isn’t allowed anywhere in the Alice and Winterland neighborhoods around the trailhead, and the property owners’ association warns that violators can be fined. In the national forest above, Forest Service rules ban camping within 100 feet of lakes, streams, and trails in the James Peak area. Nearby Forest Service campgrounds are your best bet:
Prices are from 2026 Forest Service listings and can change. For free options farther out, see my guide to free camping in Colorado.
If you prefer a bed over a sleeping bag, there are plenty of hotels and motels to choose from in Idaho Springs and Georgetown. These historic mining towns are worth a visit to explore their charm and attractions.
Here are some of the top rated places to stay in town:
If you book a stay using one of these links, we’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you, which funds our education and advocacy programs. Thank you for your support!
You don’t need a permit to hike to St. Mary’s Glacier. The lower trail crosses private land, and the snowfield is in the Arapaho National Forest. Follow these rules:
St. Mary’s Glacier isn’t a true glacier. It’s a perennial snowfield, too thin to flow the way glaciers do. It sits between about 10,850 and 11,200 feet above St. Mary’s Lake, in the Arapaho National Forest about 9 miles up Fall River Road from I-70.
For as long as anyone can remember, the snowfield lasted through summer. That changed in 2026. By late August only a few chunks of ice were left, and by mid-September the snow was gone. Winter snow will build it back up, but it’s a clear sign of how fast Colorado’s high-country snow and ice are changing.
The town of Alice grew up around gold mining in the late 1800s and had a post office from 1898 to 1938. Skiing here started in the 1930s, and a small ski area ran on and around the snowfield until 1986. Hugh and Margaret Black built the lodge in 1948, and the land was later split into the cabin lots you’ll drive past. A plan to reopen the ski area was turned down by Clear Creek County in 2010.
About 1.5 miles round trip to the base of the snowfield. Most people take 1.5 to 2 hours.
$20 per vehicle, paid at a self-pay station with cash or a check. Cards aren’t accepted.
No. It’s a perennial snowfield that’s too thin to flow like a true glacier.
It depends on the season. The snowfield melted out completely by mid-September 2026, and winter snow builds it back up. Check recent reviews and conditions before you go.
Yes, on a leash.
Not in the Alice and Winterland neighborhoods, where camping is banned. In the national forest, camp at least 100 feet from lakes, streams, and trails, or use a nearby campground like West Chicago Creek or Echo Lake.
The trail to the lake is beginner-friendly. The snowfield is where people get hurt, so only go as high as you’re comfortable, and stay away from the cliffs on its west side.
Check out these additional resources and articles with more information on hiking to Saint Mary’s Glacier:
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Notice: The material presented in this route guide may not be comprehensive or precise and should not be solely relied upon when planning your climb. Inadequate experience, physical fitness, supplies, or equipment may result in injury or fatality.
The Next Summit and the author(s) of this hiking guide offer no guarantees, neither explicit nor implied, regarding the accuracy or dependability of the information provided.
By utilizing the information herein, you agree to indemnify and absolve The Next Summit and the hiking guide author(s) from any claims and demands against them, including any legal fees and expenses.
Alex Derr is an Eagle Scout, climber, and environmental policy expert located in Denver, Colorado. He created The Next Summit to help others stay safe exploring the mountains and advocate to preserve the peaks for the future. Follow him on Linkedin or Twitter or click here to contact him.
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