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
Ousel Falls, Big Sky, MT 59730, USA
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!

2. HooDoo Cascade
Hoodoo Cascade, Montana 59730, USA
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.
3. Palisades Falls
Palisades Falls, Montana 59047, 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.

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4. Grotto Falls
Grotto Falls, Montana 59047, USA
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.
5. Arch Falls
Arch Falls, Montana 59047, USA
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!

6. Champagne Falls
Champagne Falls, Montana 59718, 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.)
7. Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls, Montana 59859, 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.

8. Woodbine Falls
Woodbine Falls, Montana 59061, 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.

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?

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Montana waterfalls road trip

Jackie Ann | February 22, 2021

What are the best waterfall hikes in Montana?

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

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:

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:

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