Are there fees or permits required for Horsetail Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Horsetail Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Horsetail Falls.

Nearby gauge (Hyalite C) · 27 ft³/s · About average

Horsetail Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Horsetail Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Horsetail Falls. Dogs are allowed on national forest trails; they must be leashed in developed recreation sites such as campgrounds and picnic areas.

Montana

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 7 other waterfalls also named Horsetail Falls, see below

Gallatin National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

U.S. Geological Survey Public Domain · USGS

Matt Lavin CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Horsetail Falls

Horsetail Falls pours in long, braided strands down the west wall of the East Fork Hyalite Creek valley in Hyalite Canyon, south of Bozeman in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. It is passed along the East Fork Hyalite (Emerald Lake) Trail #434, which continues to Emerald Lake at the head of the drainage. Chisholm Campground is nearby at Hyalite Reservoir.

The Setting

Horsetail Falls sits at 8,389 feet within Gallatin National Forest, in the high alpine of Montana.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Palisades Falls (80 ft) lies 2.2 miles to the north. Also nearby: Palisade Falls (80 ft, 2.3 mi).

Palisades Falls Palisade Falls

Trail & Hike Details

USFS Trail

EAST FORK HYALITE #434

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

USFS Segment

0.11 mi

Trail Description

Follow the East Fork Hyalite Trail #434 south from the trailhead near the east side of Hyalite Reservoir; the falls are visible on the west wall of the valley well before Emerald Lake. The full hike to Emerald Lake is roughly 9 to 10 miles round trip. The trail is natural surface and is shared with other users.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Horsetail Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on national forest trails; they must be leashed in developed recreation sites such as campgrounds and picnic areas.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Horsetail Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Horsetail Falls is in late spring or early summer when the water flow is strongest. Fall is also a great time to visit for cooler temperatures and vibrant 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 Gallatin National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Carry bear spray and make noise while hiking to avoid surprising wildlife. Check weather conditions before your visit, as the trail can become muddy or icy.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Hyalite C, 11.3 miles away, not on Horsetail Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

27 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

16 22 34 41

Based on 73 years of record

2.32 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.

Hyalite C at Hyalite R S nr Bozeman MT

USGS 06050000

11.3 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 49 sq mi

Altitude: 5,530 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Hyalite C at Hyalite R S nr Bozeman MT (18 km away).

Moderate confidence

Moderate right now

27 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

27 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

27 cfs

9/10

Thu

Moderate

27 cfs

9/10

Fri

Moderate

27 cfs

9/10

Sat

Moderate

29 cfs

6/10

Sun

Strong

29 cfs

8/10

Mon

Strong

29 cfs

8/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early 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 Emigrant hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Horsetail Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Horsetail Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 30°F.

Days below freezing: 1 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 26 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.

1-meter lidar measures about 333 feet of descent through Horsetail Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 8,410 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 267 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 170 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and catch soft morning light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Horsetail Falls near Emigrant, Montana, showing about 333 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 8,410 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 333 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From Bozeman, drive south on Hyalite Canyon Road to Hyalite Reservoir, then follow the road along the east side of the reservoir to the East Fork Hyalite (Emerald Lake) trailhead.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park at the East Fork Hyalite (Emerald Lake) trailhead lot near Hyalite Reservoir.

Elevation

8,389 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.440766° N, -110.916331° W

Land Management

Gallatin National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

The trail is shared with mountain bikes and, on some summer days, motorcycles. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and check Custer Gallatin National Forest conditions before going.

This trail sits at 8,389 ft — the air is noticeably thinner

High Altitude

Some visitors experience headaches, fatigue, or shortness of breath at this elevation. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and consider supplemental oxygen if you're coming from a lower altitude.

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.

Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)

Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.

Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex

Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.

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

CHISHOLM CAMPGROUND

3 miles away · 10 sites

Reservable

Overview Chisholm Campground is located next to scenic Hyalite Reservoir in the Bozeman Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest, 18 miles south of Bozeman, Montana. The surrounding area offers many outdoor recreational opportunities, including boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking and climbing.Recreation Hyalite Reservoir offers many recreational activities, including boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. Anglers fish for Yellowstone cutthroat, Arctic grayling and brook trout. Hyalite

Book on Recreation.gov