The Ultimate Montana Waterfall Road Trip For Nature Lovers

With over 120 named waterfalls in Montana, you could spend an entire summer visiting every beautiful cascade and still have plenty of waterfalls to spare. Now that the days are longer and the kids are out of school, how about embarking on a Montana waterfall road trip that leads you to some of the best waterfalls in the state?

This scenic road trip will take you to some of Montana's most beautiful waterfalls, and we purposely chose easily accessible falls so you can complete the drive in a single day. Just be sure to pack plenty of water and your sneakers or hiking boots. After all, you'll be spending part of this waterfall road trip in Montana on foot.

The route is just under 200 miles in length, and directions can be found on Google Maps.

Despite the driving time on the map, we highly recommend allowing 10-12 hours for this adventure so you'll have plenty of time to stop and enjoy the waterfalls. This isn't an adventure you want to rush through. Give yourself plenty of time at each waterfall. Plus, you'll want to carve out time to enjoy the nearby hiking trails, restaurants, and endless side quests along the way.

1. Crow Creek Falls

The waterfall road trip in Montana begins with the longest hike of the trip. Beginning early in the morning will give you a perfect head start. Located near Townsend, Crow Creek Falls is a hidden gem you'll find right in the middle of a five-mile hike. With that being said, it's well worth the trek.

2. Palisades Falls

Next, you'll drive south for about 2.5 hours until you reach the nice, easy Palisades Falls Trail. Located near Bozeman, this mile-long nature walk will take you to a unique and beautiful waterfall. Framed by towering basalt columns, this might just be one of the best waterfalls in Montana.

3. Grotto Falls

Next up is Grotto Falls, a gorgeous cascade that you'll find near the tiny town of Emigrant. The trail to reach this waterfall is about 2.4 miles long, and there are plenty of places along the way to stop and have a picnic.

4. Champagne Falls

If you have the time for another true hike, you can't go wrong with Champagne Falls. This trail is in the Hyalite Canyon region, and you can actually get to it from the Grotto Falls Trailhead. Champagne Falls is the ultimate destination, but you'll see plenty of smaller waterfalls along the way.

5. Ousel Falls

Last, but surely not least, you'll head to Big Sky and find the nice and short (we promise) Ousel Falls Trail. This gorgeous 1.5-mile nature walk is quite popular, and for good reason. It'll lead you to the incredible Ousel Falls.

What To Know Before Taking This Montana Waterfall Road Trip

Driving through Montana is a bucket list item for many, and focusing on some of the most scenic waterfalls is always a good idea. Make sure you pay attention to the weather, as many of these waterfalls require some hiking (and no one wants to get caught in the rain). It's a catch-22 though, because heavy rain will make these waterfalls really pop, even if it means hiking through some muddy terrain. Waterproof hiking boots will be a wise choice on this Montana waterfall road trip! I like to keep a second pair of shoes in the trunk to change into when driving so I can minimize how dirty my car gets.

Does this waterfall road trip in Montana sound like an adventure you'd want to take? Share this article with someone you want to take this Montana waterfall road trip with.

Between all of the driving and the long walks to reach these falls in Montana, you'll be wiped out in the best way after this enchanting day trip. Luckily, you'll end your journey in Montana's most naturally beautiful small town, which happens to be a great place to spend the night.