Cataract Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Cataract Falls
Cataract Falls is a single-drop waterfall on the Rocky Mountain Front in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, west of Augusta near Steamboat Mountain. It is reached by a short walk from the Elk Creek Trailhead at the end of Elk Creek Road, using the Cataract Falls Tie trail. The falls are about a quarter mile from the trailhead.
The Setting
Cataract Falls sits at 5,272 feet within Lewis & Clark National Forest, in the high mountains of Montana.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows Cataract Falls Tie (#237A), a 0.5-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is moderately developed (Class 2).
USFS Trail
CATARACT FALLS TIE #237A
Trail Class
Moderately Developed
Surface
USFS Segment
0.10 miTrail Description
From the Elk Creek Trailhead, the Cataract Falls Tie trail reaches the falls in about a quarter mile, for a round trip of about half a mile. The path is mostly soft dirt with some rocks and roots and crosses the creek three times; crossings are usually shallow but can be higher during spring runoff.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Cataract Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest trails; keep them under control and leashed near other visitors and wildlife.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Cataract Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit Cataract Falls is in late spring or early summer when the water flow is strongest. Fall is also a great time to visit for colorful foliage.
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 Lewis & Clark National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
This is grizzly bear country on the Rocky Mountain Front; carry bear spray and store food properly. Use care on wet rock near the falls and at creek crossings in high water.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Sun River, 19.1 miles away, not on Cataract Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
151 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 21 years of record
2.06 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Sun River bl Willow Cr nr Augusta MT (31 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
151 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
144 cfs
4/10Thu
Barely Flowing
135 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
144 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
138 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
154 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
155 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to late July, peaking in May.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Augusta hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Cataract Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Cataract Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 50°F to 38°F.
- Days below freezing
- 1 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 154 ft³/s
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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 229 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 5,252 feet.
The ground changes about 52 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 41 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 5,252 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 229 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Augusta, follow Elk Creek Road west to its end at the Elk Creek Trailhead, roughly an hour's drive. Bring food and water, as there are no services past Augusta.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
The Elk Creek Trailhead has a parking area, an outhouse, a hitching post and signs.
Elevation
5,272 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.322054° N, -112.603680° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Expect to get your feet wet at the creek crossings during runoff. The trailhead is remote, so carry what you need.
Where to Stay
Remote Wolf Creek Cabin - Wide Open Spaces!
Pet-Friendly Augusta Cabin - Walk to Main Street!
Cozy Augusta Cabin with Grill - Walk to Main St
Cozy Augusta Cabin w/ Furnished Deck & Grill!
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Double Falls Campground
8.1 miles away · 0 sites
CampgroundBears may frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers and remove all food from area after eating. Mandatory food storage is required.
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Nearby Attractions
Steamboat Mountain and other Rocky Mountain Front trails west of Augusta.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Be cautious of bears and carry bear spray if hiking during the warmer months.
Cities near Cataract Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Cataract Falls
4 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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