Lower Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.6 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Lower Falls
Lower Falls is on the West Fork of the Yaak River in the Kootenai National Forest of far northwest Montana, near the community of Yaak. The Forest Service lists the West Fork Falls Trail (#176), a 0.3-mile walk to the falls from the Yaak River Road (Road 92). It is a short stop rather than a long hike.
The Setting
Lower Falls sits at 3,123 feet within Kootenai National Forest, in the mountains of Montana.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows West Fork Yaak Falls (#176), a 0.6-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is highly developed (Class 4).
USFS Trail
WEST FORK YAAK FALLS #176
Trail Class
Highly Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.23 miTrail Description
West Fork Falls Trail (#176) is about 0.3 mile each way from Road 92, per the Kootenai National Forest trail list, which shows no notable elevation change. Forest Service GIS data class the tread as native surface with some steeper pitches, so watch your footing on the approach to the falls.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Lower Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Kootenai National Forest trails; keep them under control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Lower Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Late spring and early summer bring the highest flows from snowmelt.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Kootenai National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Stay back from the edge at the falls, where rocks are slippery, and carry bear spray; both black and grizzly bears live in the Yaak.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Tobacco River, 28.8 miles away, not on Lower Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
85 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 10 years of record
2.44 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 regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Tobacco River at Eureka, MT (46 km away).
Today
Moderate
91 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Moderate
88 cfs
6/10Thu
Low
79 cfs
5/10Fri
Moderate
85 cfs
5/10Sat
Moderate
90 cfs
5/10Sun
Moderate
95 cfs
5/10Mon
Moderate
100 cfs
5/10Best window: Tomorrow — moderate flow, patchy fog then mostly sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to early July, 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 Yaak hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Lower Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Lower Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 34°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 85 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.
The ground through the falls loses about 55 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 3,139 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 54 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 12 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 3,139 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 55 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Take the Yaak River Road (Road 92) to the trailhead for West Fork Falls Trail #176. Check a Kootenai National Forest map for the exact turnoff.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Trail #176 trailhead along Road 92.
Elevation
3,123 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.935512° N, -115.681575° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
The Yaak is remote with few services, so fuel up and bring supplies before driving in. Wear shoes with good grip for the rocks near the falls.
Where to Stay
Quiet Log Cabin • Gazebo • Near River & Trails
Log Inn Bonners Ferry
North Haven Campground
Northside School Bed & Breakfast
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
GARVER MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL
5.2 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Garver Mountain Lookout is perched on top of Garver Mountain at an elevation of 5,874 feet. The lookout is located in the Yaak area of the Kootenai National Forest, characterized by its minimal services and rugged beauty. This destination is ideal for visitors with an adventurous attitude, looking for a plethora of outdoor activities. Garver Mountain Lookout has been used as an observation point for detecting forest fires since 1929. The first lookout was a one-story log cabin, which is
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Yaak Falls, a roadside stop on Highway 508 northwest of Troy, and the Garver Mountain Lookout rental are in the same region.
Wildlife
The Yaak is home to deer, elk, moose, and black and grizzly bears. Keep a safe distance from all animals.
Cities near Lower Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Lower Falls
18 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
Writing about Lower Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.