LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Overwhich Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainDifficulty
Hard
Trail Length
16.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Overwhich Falls
Overwhich Falls is on Overwhich Creek in the Bitterroot National Forest, in the mountains between Painted Rocks Reservoir and Lost Trail Pass in southwest Montana. It is a backcountry waterfall reached by long trail routes: the designated Overwhich ATV trail from the West Fork Road, or the Colter Creek trail from the Lost Trail-Saddle Mountain Road, which ends at a falls lookout.
The Setting
Overwhich Falls sits at 6,568 feet within Bitterroot National Forest, in the high mountains of Montana.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The hard hike follows Capri Lake (#400), a 16.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is moderately developed (Class 2).
USFS Trail
CAPRI LAKE #400
Trail Class
Moderately Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.40 miTrail Description
The Overwhich ATV trail, reached from the West Fork Road south of Painted Rocks Reservoir, is about 16 miles round trip to the falls and rated moderate to strenuous; expect to share it with ATVs. A shorter but one-way option is the Colter Creek trail, about 5.4 miles of mostly downhill singletrack from a small pullout on the Lost Trail-Saddle Mountain Road, past beaver ponds and meadows to the falls lookout; it is known for downed trees and needs a car shuttle or a long return.
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 Overwhich Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Bitterroot National Forest trails; keep them under control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Overwhich Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit is late spring through early summer when water flow is at its peak due to snowmelt. Fall also offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warm weather for hiking.
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 Bitterroot National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
There is no cell service. Expect downed trees on the Colter Creek route and ATV traffic on the Overwhich trail. Use caution on wet rock near the falls and carry bear spray.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on West Fork Bitterroot River, 9.9 miles away, not on Overwhich Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
58 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 85 years of record
1.12 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.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge West Fork Bitterroot River nr Conner MT (16 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
58 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
60 cfs
2/10Tue
Barely Flowing
61 cfs
2/10Wed
Barely Flowing
59 cfs
5/10Thu
Barely Flowing
61 cfs
2/10Fri
Barely Flowing
61 cfs
2/10Sat
Barely Flowing
59 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to mid 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 Sula hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Overwhich Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately 3 more freezing days forecast
Overwhich Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 35°F. 3 freezing days are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 3 of the next 7
- Flow
- 58 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 laser survey finds one clean step here: roughly 279 feet of drop concentrated at the brink. Elevation at the pin is about 6,586 feet.
The ground changes about 48 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 145 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 6,586 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 279 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- West
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
For the Overwhich ATV trail, drive the West Fork Road (south of Darby) past Painted Rocks Reservoir to the trailhead. For the Colter Creek trail, drive the Lost Trail-Saddle Mountain Road from near Lost Trail Pass a little under 3 miles to a fork, go left, and look for a small pullout on the right about 100 yards later.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is limited to small pullouts and trailhead areas on forest roads.
Elevation
6,568 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.718341° N, -114.077016° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy or uneven in places. Bring insect repellent during the summer months. Check weather and trail conditions before your visit, especially in spring and fall.
This trail sits at 6,568 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.
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.
Where to Stay
Cozy Cabin Oxen-Le-Fields Montana
Tent 2 Oxen-Le-Fields Montana
Tent 1 Oxen-Le-Fields Montana
Riverside Cabin in Bitterroot National Forest!
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
MEDICINE POINT LOOKOUT
6.3 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Medicine Point Lookout is a historic tower located on Medicine Point, west of Sula. It has been restored to reflect a lookout of the 1940s, including the stove, furniture, dishes and other small touches. It offers a unique chance for visitors to camp on a mountain peak, near the scenic Bitterroot River in a rustic, old-time setting, while having the enjoyment of recreating on public lands. The tower provides spectacular views of the surrounding western Montana wilderness. Recreation An e
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Nearby Attractions
Painted Rocks Reservoir and State Park, Lost Trail Pass, and the West Fork Bitterroot River.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and occasionally bears. Visitors should exercise caution and follow wildlife safety guidelines.
Cities near Overwhich Falls
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