LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Elizabeth Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Elizabeth Falls is on Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes land. Non-members age 12 and older need a CSKT conservation permit to go onto tribal land, and there is no maintained trail to a viewpoint of these falls.
About Elizabeth Falls
Elizabeth Falls is the tall waterfall in the Mission Mountains that drivers see on the mountainside when they top Ravalli Hill on US 93. It sits on Mission Creek above Mission Falls, on Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes land on the Flathead Reservation. There is no maintained trail to a good viewpoint; most visitors see it from a distance or hike to Mission Falls below it.
The Setting
Elizabeth Falls sits at 5,919 feet within Flathead Reservation, in the high mountains of Montana.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
The Mission Falls Trail climbs about 2 to 2.4 miles from the end of the road above Mission Reservoir to Mission Falls, with steep sections near the start and in the last half mile. The route beyond Mission Falls toward Lucifer Lake passes Elizabeth Falls but is unmaintained, very steep, easy to lose in thick brush, and does not offer good vantage points of the falls.
What to Expect
Expect a distant view of a long, narrow fall on the face of the Mission Mountains. Close views require off-trail travel on steep, unmaintained terrain.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and elevation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Elizabeth Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Dog rules for CSKT tribal lands were not found; check with the CSKT Tribal Wildland Recreation Program before bringing a dog.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Elizabeth Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Late spring through early fall is the best time to visit, as the trail is more accessible and the waterfall flow is typically strongest during this period.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow.
Safety Information
The Mission Falls trail has steep sections and has seen fatalities near the falls. The route above Mission Falls is unmaintained and very steep. Carry bear spray; this is grizzly country.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Mission Creek, 3.1 miles away, not on Elizabeth Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
18 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 44 years of record
1.89 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
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Mission Creek ab reservoir nr St. Ignatius MT (5 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
19 cfs
3/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
19 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
18 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
17 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
18 cfs
3/10Sun
Barely Flowing
18 cfs
2/10Mon
Barely Flowing
17 cfs
2/10Best window: Tomorrow — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid May to early August, peaking in June.
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 St. Ignatius hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Elizabeth Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Elizabeth Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 43°F to 32°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 18 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 454 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 5,893 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 308 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 378 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 5,893 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 454 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The falls can be seen from US 93 at Ravalli Hill. The Mission Falls trailhead is at the end of the road past Mission Reservoir east of St. Ignatius; a high-clearance 4WD or AWD vehicle is strongly recommended for the last stretch.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is at the Mission Falls trailhead at the end of the road; there are no restrooms there.
Elevation
5,919 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.339099° N, -113.928712° W
Land Management
Managed by TRIB Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Bug spray is recommended during the summer months. Check trail conditions before visiting, especially in spring when snowmelt can make the trail muddy or slippery.
This trail sits at 5,919 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 24% 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
Ninepipes Lodge
Private Home With Amazing Mountain Views-Two Bedroom and Two Bath
Arlee Studio with Mountain Views 29 Mi to Missoula
Hot Tub-Mountain View-Secluded-Entire Private Floor
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
Lindbergh Lake Campground
10.8 miles away · 0 sites
Lindbergh Lake Campground has 11 designated campsites. Restrooms, fire rings, and food storage boxes are available. Drinking water is not provided; please bring your own source of water. This campground is wheelchair accessible. Fishing, swimming, and boating may be enjoyed on the lake. The maximum recommended trailer length for this area is 20 feet. Please pack out what you pack in-- no trash service is provided. There is a trail from the campground which leads part of the way around the west si
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Nearby Attractions
Mission Falls, Mission Reservoir and the town of St. Ignatius with its historic mission church.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, black bears, and birds. Visitors should practice bear safety and carry bear spray.
Cities near Elizabeth Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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