Big Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated (Cascade County, MT)

Big Falls is a waterfall in Cascade County, Montana, about 5.3 miles northeast of Malmstrom Air Force Base. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Cascade County, MT

Nearest town

Malmstrom Air Force Base (5.3 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★☆ 4.3 from 30 reviews

Crowds

Quieter

Coordinates

47.56996, -111.12302

USGS topo

Morony Dam quad

Getting there

Big Falls sits about 5.3 miles northeast of Malmstrom Air Force Base in Cascade County. Navigate to the coordinates 47.56996, -111.12302, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Big Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

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.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Big Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Montana. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 47.56996, -111.12302 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

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. With 30 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Big Falls holds a 4.3-star average across 30 Google reviews, and 70% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Cascade County. Visitors have shared 122 photos.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Older maps and records also list it as Great Falls of the Missouri, Great Falls, and Roar of Steam.

Big Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on April 4, 1980, and it appears on the USGS Morony Dam 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Box Elder Creek (stream, 1.5 mi).

Rocky Mountain Front and the Missouri. Where the Rockies give way to the plains, Montana's falls change character. The Missouri River at Great Falls once descended a series of five falls that forced the Lewis and Clark expedition into a long overland portage in 1805; most have since been altered or submerged by hydroelectric dams, though Black Eagle Falls and others remain visible from riverside parks and overlooks. Teton County, along the Rocky Mountain Front west of Choteau, has falls on streams that leave the mountains abruptly. Fergus County in central Montana adds an isolated example in one of the island ranges rising from the prairie.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Big Falls about 5.3 miles northeast of Malmstrom Air Force Base is rated 4.3 out of 5 by 30 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Big Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.