Lady Face Falls
Idaho • 20 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainPhoto Credits (1)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
5.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
300 ft
About Lady Face Falls
Lady Face Falls is a 20-foot waterfall where Stanley Lake Creek cuts through a narrow bedrock gorge in an old glacial moraine, in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area northwest of Stanley. It is reached from the Stanley Lake Trailhead on the Iron Creek-Stanley Lake Trail (#640), a mostly level valley walk of about 2.4 miles each way followed by a short, unmarked side path to the falls. The round trip is about 5 miles with about 300 feet of gain, and the Sawtooth Association rates it an easier half-day hike suited to families.
The Setting
Lady Face Falls sits at 6,617 feet within Challis National Forest, in the high mountains of Idaho. The falls drop 20 feet.
Height: 20 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows Iron Creek Stanley Lake (#7640), a 5.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 300 feet of elevation gain with grades of 12-20%. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
IRON CREEK - STANLEY LAKE #7640
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.11 miTrail Description
From the Stanley Lake Trailhead, the trail follows the Stanley Lake Creek valley on a nearly level grade. At about 2.4 miles, a cairn and small sign mark a 0.1-mile side path to the falls; if you reach the Stanley Lake Creek ford (about 0.3 mile farther), you have gone too far. The side path is an unmarked user trail on a slope of loose sand and gravel. Round trip is about 5 miles with about 300 feet of gain.
What to Expect
The falls drop a gentle 20 feet. 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 Lady Face Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed; keep them leashed at the Stanley Lake trailhead and campgrounds, and on Sawtooth Wilderness trails from July 1 through Labor Day.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Lady Face Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit Lady Face Falls is during late spring or early summer when the waterfall is at its fullest due to snowmelt. Fall also offers beautiful foliage, making it a great time for photography.
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 Challis National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
The side path to the falls crosses a steep slope of loose sand and gravel above the gorge, where a fall could be fatal. Keep children and dogs close, and stay back from the gorge rim. Mountain weather can change quickly.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Valley Creek, 8.2 miles away, not on Lady Face Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
93 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 87 years of record
0.81 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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge VALLEY CREEK AT STANLEY ID (13 km away).
Today
Moderate
93 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
97 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
97 cfs
5/10Sun
Moderate
92 cfs
8/10Mon
Moderate
94 cfs
5/10Tue
Moderate
99 cfs
5/10Wed
Moderate
97 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to mid 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 Stanley hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Lady Face Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Lady Face Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 49°F to 31°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 91 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 Idaho.
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 153 feet of descent through Lady Face Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 20 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 6,603 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 149 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 24 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
- 6,603 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 153 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 Stanley, drive northwest on Idaho Highway 21 to the Stanley Lake turnoff and follow the gravel road to Stanley Lake. The hike starts at the Stanley Lake Trailhead near the lake's inlet, just before the inlet campground.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Stanley Lake Trailhead, which has a restroom. There are no trash facilities, so pack out all trash.
Elevation
6,617 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.231573° N, -115.095926° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Start your hike early in the day to avoid crowds and ensure you have enough daylight for the return trip. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water, as the trail can be rocky in places. Check weather conditions before heading out, as the trail may be muddy or slippery after rain.
This trail sits at 6,617 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 26% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.
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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.
This easy 5.0 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
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.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.
JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit
Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.
Where to Stay
Redfish Riverside Inn
Stanley High Country Inn
Stanley Spacious Home with Panoramic Views
Timberhaven Cabin
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.
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Nearby Attractions
Bridal Veil Falls is about 1.3 miles farther up the same trail, past a ford of Stanley Lake Creek. Stanley Lake has a beach and campgrounds.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and birds. Be cautious of bears and carry bear spray if hiking in the area.
Cities near Lady Face Falls
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