15 Best Waterfalls in Montana (2026 Updated)
Of the 120 named waterfalls in Montana, these 15 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Morrell Falls, Virginia Falls, and Ousel Falls. The list spans the Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot, Glacier National Park and the Flathead, and Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth.
How We Picked
We ranked the 43 publicly accessible Montana waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Morrell Falls
Seeley Lake, MT · Powell County · Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 32 reviews. 97% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 30 named falls in the Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot region. The nearest town is Seeley Lake, about 8.5 miles to the south.
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2. Virginia Falls
North Browning, MT · Glacier County · Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 95 reviews. 93% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Accessed by a hike through the forest, this stunning waterfall is a celebrated spot for relaxing." It is one of 51 named falls in the Glacier National Park and the Flathead region. Saint Mary Falls is only 0.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Browning, about 28 miles to the east.
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3. Ousel Falls
Big Sky, MT · Gallatin County · Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 92 reviews. 98% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 29 named falls in the Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth region. The nearest town is Big Sky, about 3.4 miles to the north.
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4. Running Eagle Falls
North Browning, MT · Glacier County · Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.9-star Google rating and is the 10th most reviewed in the state, with 42 reviews. 90% of reviewers give it five stars. Google's listing sums it up as: "Locale for scenic hikes on a beginner-friendly trail with a stream crossing, waterfall & rocky pool." Older records also call it Double Falls and Twin Falls. It is one of 51 named falls in the Glacier National Park and the Flathead region. Appistoki Falls is only 1.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Browning, about 16 miles to the east.
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5. Apikuni Falls
North Browning, MT · Glacier County · Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 30 reviews. 93% of reviewers give it five stars. Older records also call it Appekunny Falls. It is one of 51 named falls in the Glacier National Park and the Flathead region. Swiftcurrent Falls is only 1.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Browning, about 33 miles to the southeast.
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6. Memorial Falls
White Sulphur Springs, MT · Cascade County · Rocky Mountain Front and the Missouri
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 28 reviews. 86% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention rocky trail, rough terrain, easy walk, and scenery. 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.
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7. Twin Falls
North Browning, MT · Glacier County · Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 4.9 stars across 18 reviews. It is one of 51 named falls in the Glacier National Park and the Flathead region. Rockwell Falls is only 1.9 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Browning, about 20 miles to the east.
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8. Double Falls
Lincoln, MT · Lewis and Clark County · Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 8 reviews. Reviews most often mention campground, trail, and falls. 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.
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9. Champagne Falls
Four Corners, MT · Gallatin County · Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 7 reviews. The USGS gazetteer describes it as: Located on Hyalite Creek, 1.6 km (1 mi) NE of Divide Peak and 3.1 km (1.9 mi) NW of Fridley Peak. Older records also call it Champayne Falls. It is one of 29 named falls in the Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth region. Shower Falls is only 0.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Four Corners, about 19 miles to the northwest.
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10. Kootenai Falls
Libby, MT · Lincoln County · Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Montana, holding 4.8 stars across 137 Google reviews. 89% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention Kootenai Falls, beautiful area, amazing view, and swinging. 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.
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11. Skalkaho Falls
Hamilton, MT · Ravalli County · Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 108 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention magnificent falls, scenic drive, roadside location, and gravel. It is one of 30 named falls in the Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot region. The nearest town is Hamilton, about 16 miles to the west.
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12. Swiftcurrent Falls
North Browning, MT · Glacier County · Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Why it made the list
Visitors rate it 5.0 stars across 6 reviews. It is one of 51 named falls in the Glacier National Park and the Flathead region. Apikuni Falls is only 1.1 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is North Browning, about 33 miles to the southeast.
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13. Yaak Falls
Libby, MT · Lincoln County · Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 59 reviews. 81% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 30 named falls in the Northwest Montana and the Bitterroot region. The nearest town is Libby, about 23 miles to the southeast.
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14. Grotto Falls
Four Corners, MT · Gallatin County · Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 56 reviews. 88% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention easy hike, lush forest, canyon, and beautiful scenery. It is one of 29 named falls in the Southwest Montana: Gallatin, Absaroka and Beartooth region. Arch Falls is only 0.6 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Four Corners, about 17 miles to the northwest.
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15. McDonald Falls
Columbia Falls, MT · Flathead County · Glacier National Park and the Flathead
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.8-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 53 reviews. 81% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention turquoise water color, heavy flow, viewpoint, and easy access. It is one of 51 named falls in the Glacier National Park and the Flathead region. Sacred Dancing Cascade is only 0.5 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Columbia Falls, about 24 miles to the southwest.
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.
Explore More Montana Waterfalls
See all 120 waterfalls in the Montana waterfall guide, or browse by town: Seeley Lake, North Browning, Big Sky, White Sulphur Springs, Lincoln, Four Corners, Libby, Hamilton.
More Montana Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Montana?
Morrell Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 5.0-star rating from 32 Google reviews. It is near Seeley Lake in Powell County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 43 publicly accessible Montana waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands.
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.