Are there fees or permits required for Canyon Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Canyon Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Canyon Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Canyon Falls.

Canyon Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Canyon Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Canyon Falls. Dogs are allowed on Bitterroot National Forest trails and must be kept under control; the Forest Service recommends leashes.

Montana

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 4 other waterfalls also named Canyon Falls, see below

Bitterroot National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

orkybash CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

High Trails CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Canyon Falls

Canyon Falls is on Canyon Creek in the Bitterroot National Forest west of Hamilton, reached by Canyon Creek Trail #525. The trail starts at the Canyon Creek Trailhead at the end of Forest Road 735, enters the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness at about mile 1.5, and continues about 5 miles one way to Canyon Lake. The falls are partway up the canyon; we have not found a reliable distance to them, and the trail is rated difficult, gaining about 2,500 feet to the lake.

The Setting

Canyon Falls sits at 7,165 feet within Bitterroot National Forest, in the high mountains of Montana.

Trail & Hike Details

USFS Trail

CANYON CREEK #525

Trail Class

Moderately Developed

Surface

Nat Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

2.48 mi

Trail Description

Canyon Creek Trail #525 follows the creek bottom through forest, then climbs steeply over rock outcrops in its last two miles, where the route is marked with cairns and can be hard to follow. Hiking Project lists it at 5.0 miles one way to Canyon Lake with about 2,540 feet of gain. The falls are partway along this route, so check a map for their position before setting a turnaround point.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Canyon Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Bitterroot National Forest trails and must be kept under control; the Forest Service recommends leashes.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Canyon Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is late spring through early fall when the trail is clear of snow and the waterfall flow is at its peak.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Bitterroot National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Carry bear spray and be aware of wildlife. Check weather conditions before your visit, as the trail can become hazardous in wet or snowy conditions.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Hamilton hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Canyon Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Canyon Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 42°F to 29°F.

Days below freezing: 3 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: no gauge

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Montana.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

1-meter lidar measures about 237 feet of descent through Canyon Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 7,175 feet above sea level.

Above the falls the ground is nearly level, then it breaks away and keeps dropping about 328 feet over the next 500 feet downstream. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Canyon Falls near Hamilton, Montana, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Canyon Falls near Hamilton, Montana, showing about 237 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 7,175 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 237 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

From Hamilton, go west on Main Street about 1 mile, north on Ricketts Road, west on Blodgett Camp Road (Forest Road 736), then west on Canyon Creek Road (Forest Road 735) to the Canyon Creek Trailhead at the road's end.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

The Canyon Creek Trailhead has room for about 6 passenger vehicles and a vault toilet, but no drinking water. Horse trailers are not recommended, and camping is not allowed at the trailhead.

Elevation

7,165 feet above sea level

Coordinates

46.244979° N, -114.321960° W

Land Management

Bitterroot National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start early to avoid crowds and ensure you have enough daylight for the hike. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

This trail sits at 7,165 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 29% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen

UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.

Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)

Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.

Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets

You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.

ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses

High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Blodgett Campground

4.1 miles away · 0 sites

Blodgett Campground consists of 5 campsites, 1 walk-in site, plus 1 host site, complete with picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet. There are two accessible campsites. The campground rests under the towering cliff faces of Blodgett Canyon which are very popular to rock climbers. Blodgett Canyon Picnic Area is across Blodgett Creek. Campground can accommodate RV's or trailers to 45 feet.

Book on Recreation.gov