Who’s up for a fun road trip? Montana has the most beautiful natural wonders, including over 120 named waterfalls, and so we’ve mapped out a way for you to see some of our great state’s best falls, in our Southern Montana waterfalls road trip. Since the state is so large, it’s best to explore them one region at a time. This trip focuses on the southern part of the state and includes only Montana waterfalls that are easily accessible by car or a reasonably short hike. This way you and your companions can see them all in one day, though we recommend taking this trip over a weekend.

The journey is mapped out in Google Maps for your convenience. Use it as a guideline for your most gorgeous road trip yet. Without further adieu, let’s check out this ultimate Southern Montana waterfalls road trip:

Image/Google

  1. Ousel Falls

alltrails.com Start your journey with a stop at Ousel Falls, which sits at the end of a ¾ mile easy hiking trail. If you begin early enough, you can catch the sunrise along the way. Check out this gorgeous footage of the falls!

Ousel Falls, Big Sky, MT 59730, USA

  1. HooDoo Cascade

alltrails.com The HooDoo Cascade waterfall is located a few hundred feet from Lava Lake, pictured above. The falls are situated between Sagebrush Point and Jumbo Mountain about 25 miles outside of Bozeman. This is a good stopping point between Ousel Falls and the next waterfall destination. Hoodoo Cascade, Montana 59730, USA

  1. Palisades Falls

Ben Miller/Flickr Hungry? Take Highway 191 North to Palisades Falls picnic area, a relaxing place to enjoy a nice meal… and see a waterfall, of course. Palisades Falls, Montana 59047, USA

  1. Grotto Falls

alltrails.com Grotto Falls is just a three mile drive and a half mile hike from Palisades Falls. The breathtaking scenery in this area makes the walk worth it, and the stunning waterfall is a nice bonus. Grotto Falls, Montana 59047, USA

  1. Arch Falls

alltrails.com If you have the time, hike the 1.2 miles south of the Hyalite Creek trailhead and you’ll find Arch Falls. A trail sign will announce your arrival so you know you’re in the right place. This walk isn’t quite as easy as the others, so only attempt it if you’re up for it. This footage of the falls should get you jazzed for the trip!

Arch Falls, Montana 59047, USA

  1. Champagne Falls

Flickr/Andy Rothwell If your waterfalls road trip will last two days, it’s worth continuing your walk another 1.4 miles past Arch Falls to enjoy the beauty of Champagne Falls. The water pours 80 feet onto the shoulders of a huge black rock, and the entire area feels serene. (Note: The falls pictured are a representation, not Champagne Falls. However, they are both tall, narrow falls, surrounded by rocks and trees.) Champagne Falls, Montana 59718, USA

  1. Cascade Falls

Malcolm Manners/Flickr This stop signifies the home stretch of your journey. You can take a look at these impressive falls in the video.

Cascade Falls, Montana 59859, USA

  1. Woodbine Falls

Trevor Manternach/Flickr Your waterfall tour will end on a high note if you make your last stop Woodbine Falls. An easy 3/4 mile hike on a well-marked trail takes you straight to the waterfall, which is located in the picturesque Custer National Forest. Woodbine Falls, Montana 59061, USA

Next, we’ll show you how to see some of Northern Montana’s most beautiful waterfalls! So, who will you bring on this adventure to see waterfalls in Montana, and what will be on your road trip playlist?

Image/Google

alltrails.com

Start your journey with a stop at Ousel Falls, which sits at the end of a ¾ mile easy hiking trail. If you begin early enough, you can catch the sunrise along the way. Check out this gorgeous footage of the falls!

Ousel Falls, Big Sky, MT 59730, USA

The HooDoo Cascade waterfall is located a few hundred feet from Lava Lake, pictured above. The falls are situated between Sagebrush Point and Jumbo Mountain about 25 miles outside of Bozeman. This is a good stopping point between Ousel Falls and the next waterfall destination.

Hoodoo Cascade, Montana 59730, USA

Ben Miller/Flickr

Hungry? Take Highway 191 North to Palisades Falls picnic area, a relaxing place to enjoy a nice meal… and see a waterfall, of course.

Palisades Falls, Montana 59047, USA

Grotto Falls is just a three mile drive and a half mile hike from Palisades Falls. The breathtaking scenery in this area makes the walk worth it, and the stunning waterfall is a nice bonus.

Grotto Falls, Montana 59047, USA

If you have the time, hike the 1.2 miles south of the Hyalite Creek trailhead and you’ll find Arch Falls. A trail sign will announce your arrival so you know you’re in the right place. This walk isn’t quite as easy as the others, so only attempt it if you’re up for it. This footage of the falls should get you jazzed for the trip!

Arch Falls, Montana 59047, USA

Flickr/Andy Rothwell

If your waterfalls road trip will last two days, it’s worth continuing your walk another 1.4 miles past Arch Falls to enjoy the beauty of Champagne Falls. The water pours 80 feet onto the shoulders of a huge black rock, and the entire area feels serene. (Note: The falls pictured are a representation, not Champagne Falls. However, they are both tall, narrow falls, surrounded by rocks and trees.)

Champagne Falls, Montana 59718, USA

Malcolm Manners/Flickr

This stop signifies the home stretch of your journey. You can take a look at these impressive falls in the video.

Cascade Falls, Montana 59859, USA

Trevor Manternach/Flickr

Your waterfall tour will end on a high note if you make your last stop Woodbine Falls. An easy 3/4 mile hike on a well-marked trail takes you straight to the waterfall, which is located in the picturesque Custer National Forest.

Woodbine Falls, Montana 59061, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Montana waterfalls road trip February 22, 2021 Jackie Ann What are the best waterfall hikes in Montana? If you enjoyed our Montana waterfalls road trip, you’ll love these waterfall hikes in Montana:

Avalanche Lake Trail St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail Kootenai Falls

Montana is home to Glacier National Park which spans over 1,500 square miles of breathtakingly gorgeous wilderness and is packed with more than 700 miles of stunning hiking trails. There are so many waterfall hikes to take, it’s easy to find a trail, no matter what your experience level is. For a moderately challenging trip, head out on the 6.7-mile Avalanche Lake trail located near Lake McDonald and marvel at the beauty of its numerous cascading waterfalls. For a shorter trek, St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is just 2.9 miles located near Siyeh Bend and is a great hike the whole family will enjoy. Outside of Glacier National Park, hike Kootenai Falls located in Lincoln County. For the brave traveler, follow the trail to the swinging bridge for views of the rushing Kootenai River. Does Montana have any natural wonders? Big Sky Country is rich in a diverse natural history offering unforgettable wonders accessible across our state. Some of the many natural wonders in Montana are:

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park Badlands in Makoshika State Park

What are the best road trips through Montana? In addition to our epic Montana waterfalls road trip listed above, the multitude of road trips through Montana is truly wondrous:

Central Montana waterfalls road trip Small towns in Montana road trip Montana ghost towns road trip

The OIYS Visitor Center

Montana waterfalls road trip

February 22, 2021

Jackie Ann

What are the best waterfall hikes in Montana? If you enjoyed our Montana waterfalls road trip, you’ll love these waterfall hikes in Montana:

Avalanche Lake Trail St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail Kootenai Falls

Montana is home to Glacier National Park which spans over 1,500 square miles of breathtakingly gorgeous wilderness and is packed with more than 700 miles of stunning hiking trails. There are so many waterfall hikes to take, it’s easy to find a trail, no matter what your experience level is. For a moderately challenging trip, head out on the 6.7-mile Avalanche Lake trail located near Lake McDonald and marvel at the beauty of its numerous cascading waterfalls. For a shorter trek, St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is just 2.9 miles located near Siyeh Bend and is a great hike the whole family will enjoy. Outside of Glacier National Park, hike Kootenai Falls located in Lincoln County. For the brave traveler, follow the trail to the swinging bridge for views of the rushing Kootenai River. Does Montana have any natural wonders? Big Sky Country is rich in a diverse natural history offering unforgettable wonders accessible across our state. Some of the many natural wonders in Montana are:

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park Badlands in Makoshika State Park

What are the best road trips through Montana? In addition to our epic Montana waterfalls road trip listed above, the multitude of road trips through Montana is truly wondrous:

Central Montana waterfalls road trip Small towns in Montana road trip Montana ghost towns road trip

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

If you enjoyed our Montana waterfalls road trip, you’ll love these waterfall hikes in Montana:

  • Avalanche Lake Trail
  • St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail
  • Kootenai Falls

Montana is home to Glacier National Park which spans over 1,500 square miles of breathtakingly gorgeous wilderness and is packed with more than 700 miles of stunning hiking trails. There are so many waterfall hikes to take, it’s easy to find a trail, no matter what your experience level is. For a moderately challenging trip, head out on the 6.7-mile Avalanche Lake trail located near Lake McDonald and marvel at the beauty of its numerous cascading waterfalls. For a shorter trek, St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail is just 2.9 miles located near Siyeh Bend and is a great hike the whole family will enjoy. Outside of Glacier National Park, hike Kootenai Falls located in Lincoln County. For the brave traveler, follow the trail to the swinging bridge for views of the rushing Kootenai River.

Does Montana have any natural wonders?

Big Sky Country is rich in a diverse natural history offering unforgettable wonders accessible across our state. Some of the many natural wonders in Montana are:

  • Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
  • Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park
  • Badlands in Makoshika State Park

What are the best road trips through Montana?

In addition to our epic Montana waterfalls road trip listed above, the multitude of road trips through Montana is truly wondrous:

  • Central Montana waterfalls road trip
  • Small towns in Montana road trip
  • Montana ghost towns road trip