10 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in Montana (2026 Updated)
These 10 Montana waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Virginia Falls, Running Eagle Falls, and Memorial Falls. The list spans the Glacier National Park and the Flathead, Rocky Mountain Front and the Missouri, and Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot.
How We Picked
We started with the 11 publicly accessible Montana waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. Virginia Falls
North Browning, MT · Glacier County · Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Why hike it
On the trail: "Accessed by a hike through the forest, this stunning waterfall is a celebrated spot for relaxing." It is rated 4.9 stars by 95 Google reviewers. 6 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Saint Mary Falls and Deadwood Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Dusty Star Mountain, a summit 1.2 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 51 named falls in the Glacier National Park and the Flathead region. The nearest town is North Browning, about 28 miles to the east.
-
2. Running Eagle Falls
North Browning, MT · Glacier County · Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Why hike it
On the trail: "Locale for scenic hikes on a beginner-friendly trail with a stream crossing, waterfall & rocky pool." It is rated 4.9 stars by 42 Google reviewers. 3 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Appistoki Falls and Twin Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Scenic Point, a summit 1.7 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 51 named falls in the Glacier National Park and the Flathead region. The nearest town is North Browning, about 16 miles to the east.
-
3. Memorial Falls
White Sulphur Springs, MT · Cascade County · Rocky Mountain Front and the Missouri
Why hike it
Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "easy walk" and "kids" and "rocky trail". It is rated 4.9 stars by 28 Google reviewers. It is one of 10 named falls in the Rocky Mountain Front and the Missouri region. The nearest town is White Sulphur Springs, about 27 miles to the south.
-
4. Double Falls
Lincoln, MT · Lewis and Clark County · Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot
Why hike it
It is rated 5.0 stars by 8 Google reviewers. Cyanide Mountain, a summit 1.9 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 30 named falls in the Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot region. The nearest town is Lincoln, about 31 miles to the south.
-
5. Kootenai Falls
Libby, MT · Lincoln County · Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot
Why hike it
Reviewers describe the hike with words like "easy hike", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.8 stars by 137 Google reviewers. Kootenai Mountain, a summit 1.9 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 30 named falls in the Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot region. The nearest town is Libby, about 11 miles to the southeast.
-
6. Grotto Falls
Four Corners, MT · Gallatin County · Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth
Why hike it
Reviewers describe the hike with words like "easy hike", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.8 stars by 56 Google reviewers. 10 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Arch Falls and Twin Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Flanders Mountain, a summit 0.9 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 29 named falls in the Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth region. The nearest town is Four Corners, about 17 miles to the northwest.
-
7. Pioneer Falls
Big Sky, MT · Madison County · Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth
Why hike it
It is rated 4.9 stars by 7 Google reviewers. It is one of 29 named falls in the Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth region. The nearest town is Big Sky, about 9.2 miles to the south.
-
8. Woodbine Falls
Absarokee, MT · Stillwater County · Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth
Why hike it
Reviewers describe the hike with words like "kids", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.8 stars by 26 Google reviewers. It is one of 29 named falls in the Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth region. The nearest town is Absarokee, about 24 miles to the northeast.
-
9. Cascade Falls
Superior, MT · Sanders County · Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot
Why hike it
Reviewers describe the hike with words like "easy trail", so it suits most hikers. It is rated 4.6 stars by 7 Google reviewers. It is one of 30 named falls in the Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot region. The nearest town is Superior, about 8.2 miles to the south.
-
10. Crow Creek Falls
Clancy, MT · Jefferson County · Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth
Why hike it
On the trail: "A popular hiking trail through scenic, wooded terrain leads to this small waterfall & creek." It is rated 4.5 stars by 22 Google reviewers. It is one of 29 named falls in the Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth region. The nearest town is Clancy, about 13 miles to the northwest.
When to Visit Montana's Waterfalls
Montana's falls follow the mountain snowpack. Peak flows usually arrive from late May through June, when warm weather melts high-elevation snow, and some falls can be dangerously powerful then. July offers the best combination of strong water and open high-country access; in Glacier National Park, the full Going-to-the-Sun Road often does not open until late June or July because of the time needed to clear snow. By late August and September, flows decline, but larch and aspen color in late September is a strong draw. Winter closes many mountain roads, including the Skalkaho Highway, and falls in Hyalite Canyon and elsewhere freeze into ice climbing routes.
Before You Go
Most of Montana's falls lie in Glacier National Park or in national forests such as the Flathead, Kootenai, Bitterroot, Lolo and Custer Gallatin, with a few in state parks and city parks. Glacier National Park has used a seasonal vehicle reservation system for some areas in recent summers, so checking current entry rules is essential. Popular trailheads in Glacier and Hyalite Canyon fill early on summer days. Grizzly and black bears are present across western Montana; carrying bear spray, hiking in groups and making noise are standard. Snowmelt streams are cold and swift, and rocks near falls are slick. Mountain weather changes quickly, with afternoon thunderstorms in summer and snow possible in any month at higher elevations.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More Montana Waterfalls
See all 120 waterfalls in the Montana waterfall guide, or browse by town: North Browning, White Sulphur Springs, Lincoln, Libby, Four Corners, Big Sky, Absarokee, Superior.
More Montana Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in Montana?
Virginia Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 95 Google reviews. It is near North Browning in Glacier County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 11 publicly accessible Montana waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in Montana?
Our directory lists 120 named waterfalls in Montana. See them all, sorted by town, in the Montana waterfall guide.
Where are the most waterfalls in Montana?
Glacier National Park and the surrounding Flathead area hold the largest share, with Glacier and Flathead counties accounting for 47 of the state's 120 named falls in our directory. The Bozeman and Big Sky area is the next largest cluster.