Are there fees or permits required for Hoodoo Cascade?

No, there are no fees required to visit Hoodoo Cascade.

Is swimming allowed at Hoodoo Cascade?

No, swimming is not allowed at Hoodoo Cascade.

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Hoodoo Cascade near Big Sky, Montana, showing about 105 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing north

LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP

Nearby gauge (Gallatin River) · 246 ft³/s · About average

Hoodoo Cascade

Q: Are dogs allowed at Hoodoo Cascade?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Hoodoo Cascade. Dogs are allowed on the Lava Lake Trail in the Custer Gallatin National Forest; trail guides list it as leashed dogs.

Montana

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Gallatin National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

6.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

1,600 ft

About Hoodoo Cascade

Hoodoo Cascade is a turbulent cascade on Cascade Creek in Gallatin Canyon, in the Custer Gallatin National Forest between Bozeman and Big Sky. It is on the Lava Lake (Cascade Creek) Trail, where the path climbs a series of steep switchbacks beside the cascade just below Lava Lake. Most hikers pass it on the way to the lake.

The Setting

Hoodoo Cascade sits at 6,985 feet within Gallatin National Forest, in the high mountains of Montana.

Trail & Hike Details

6.0 mi distance 1,600 ft climbed

The Approach

The moderate hike follows Table Mountain (#445), a 6.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 1,600 feet of elevation gain. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

TABLE MOUNTAIN #445

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

USFS Segment

0.84 mi

Trail Description

The Lava Lake Trail leaves the Gallatin River and climbs along Cascade Creek through dense conifer forest, crossing the creek once and passing several small waterfalls. The first three quarters are a steady climb; the final quarter is steep switchbacks alongside Hoodoo Cascade up to Lava Lake. To the lake and back is about 5.7 to 6 miles with roughly 1,600 feet of gain.

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 Hoodoo Cascade?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on the Lava Lake Trail in the Custer Gallatin National Forest; trail guides list it as leashed dogs.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Hoodoo Cascade?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt.

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 Gallatin National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall and be prepared for changing weather conditions. Carry bear spray and be aware of wildlife in the area.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Gallatin River, 6.1 miles away, not on Hoodoo Cascade's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

246 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

Based on 7 years of record

4.82 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 nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

Gallatin River above Deer Creek, near Big Sky, MT

USGS 06043120

6.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 538 sq mi

Altitude: 5,875 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Gallatin River above Deer Creek, near Big Sky, MT (10 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

246 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

246 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

247 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

246 cfs

8/10

Fri

Moderate

232 cfs

8/10

Sat

Moderate

258 cfs

5/10

Sun

Moderate

267 cfs

5/10

Mon

Moderate

265 cfs

5/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to late July, 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 Big Sky hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Hoodoo Cascade Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Hoodoo Cascade is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 53°F to 36°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 255 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.

Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 105 feet of drop through Hoodoo Cascade, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 7,007 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 79 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 77 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Hoodoo Cascade near Big Sky, Montana, for comparison with the lidar view

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 7,007 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 105 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

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

The trailhead is on US 191 in Gallatin Canyon, about 20 miles south of Four Corners and about 13.5 miles north of the Big Sky turnoff, just north of the 35 mph bridge. Southbound the lot is on the right; northbound you cannot turn left into it, so continue to the first large turnout and come back.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a large parking area at the trailhead on US 191 that is also used as a rafting take-out. It can be nearly full on summer days.

Elevation

6,985 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.382984° N, -111.245231° W

Land Management

Gallatin National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start early to avoid crowds. The trail can hold snow, mud and ice in spring and late fall, which makes the switchbacks slippery on the way down.

This trail sits at 6,985 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 28% 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.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

With 6.0 miles and 1,600 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof

Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles

Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.

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

Gallatin Canyon, Hwy 191 & Big Sky

3.5 miles away · 0 sites

Recreation sites in Gallatin Canyon and further south along the Gallatin River and Highway 191. Big Sky recreational areas are also included in this travel corridor.

Book on Recreation.gov