Is swimming allowed at Lost Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Lost Creek Falls.

Nearby gauge (St. Regis River) · 96 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Lost Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Lost Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Lost Creek Falls. Dogs are allowed on Lolo National Forest trails; keep them under control.

Montana

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 4 other waterfalls also named Lost Creek Falls, see below

Lolo National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (3)

Yellowstone National Park Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Jeff Krause Photography CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Lost Creek Falls

Lost Creek Falls is on Lost Creek in the Lolo National Forest south of St. Regis, toward the Idaho-Montana divide. Forest Service data place it near the Lost Lake Trail (#112), which follows Lost Creek past pools and cascades to Lost Lake; Wild Montana lists that hike at 8.2 miles round trip with about 1,200 feet of gain. We have not confirmed how far along the trail the falls are.

The Setting

Lost Creek Falls sits at 5,046 feet within Lolo National Forest, in the high mountains of Montana.

Trail & Hike Details

USFS Trail

LOST LAKE #112

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

12-20%

USFS Segment

3.97 mi

Trail Description

Lost Lake Trail (#112) follows Lost Creek through meadows and timber, past pools and cascades, then climbs above the creek past rock outcrops to Lost Lake. Wild Montana lists the hike to the lake at 8.2 miles round trip with about 1,200 feet of gain and a high point of about 6,020 feet. The falls are along this drainage, but no source gives their exact distance.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail has a natural surface with climbing and is not wheelchair accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Lost Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Lolo National Forest trails; keep them under control.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fees are required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Lost Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is most active during these seasons 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 Lolo National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall, especially after rain. Watch for wildlife and stay on designated trails to avoid damaging the environment.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Roaring

These readings come from the USGS gauge on St. Regis River, 12.6 miles away, not on Lost Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

96 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

94 107 207 404

Based on 44 years of record

1.76 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

St. Regis River near St. Regis, MT

USGS 12354000

12.6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 304 sq mi

Altitude: 2,645 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge St. Regis River near St. Regis, MT (20 km away).

Moderate confidence

Roaring right now

96 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Roaring

104 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Roaring

97 cfs

9/10

Thu

Roaring

95 cfs

9/10

Fri

Roaring

105 cfs

6/10

Sat

Roaring

110 cfs

6/10

Sun

Roaring

109 cfs

6/10

Mon

Roaring

108 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — roaring flow, partly sunny (trip score 9/10).

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

Is Lost Creek Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Lost Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 33°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 94 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 196 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 5,107 feet.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 174 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 116 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing northeast, the falls catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Lost Creek Falls near St. Regis, Montana, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Lost Creek Falls near St. Regis, Montana, showing about 196 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: 5,107 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 196 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

Elevation

5,046 feet above sea level

Coordinates

47.114930° N, -115.117412° W

Land Management

Lolo National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy in spring or after rain. Bring water and a camera to capture the scenic views. Arrive early during peak seasons to secure parking.

Where to Stay

Big Sky Motel

8.2 172 reviews

Peaceful Superior Home w/ Fire Pit & Mtn View

9.5 2 reviews

The Lodge at Forest Grove

Rustic Cabin Rental in the Tranquil Montana Wilderness near Missoula

See all hotels near Superior

Cabins & Rentals VRBO

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

THOMPSON PEAK LOOKOUT TOWER

10.8 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Thompson Peak Lookout provides great views of the Clark Fork Valley, the town of Superior, the Idaho state line and, of course, the big sky of Montana. It is close enough to Superior to allow for easy access, but remote enough to provide the quiet and solitude expected at a lookout. The modernized tower provides amenities not typical to a lookout, making it a desirable place to stay.Recreation A variety of trails exist in the area, allowing visitors a chance to explore the surrounding fo

Book on Recreation.gov