Are there fees or permits required for Palisade Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Palisade Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Palisade Falls.

Live Conditions · 35 ft³/s · About average

Palisade Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Palisade Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Palisade Falls.

Montana • 80 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 1 other waterfall also named Palisade Falls, see below

Gallatin National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

High Trails CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Ron Schott CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.2 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

200 ft

About Palisade Falls

Palisade Falls is a stunning waterfall located in the Gallatin National Forest near Bozeman, Montana. It cascades over a basalt cliff, offering a picturesque view that is popular among hikers and nature enthusiasts.

The Setting

Palisade Falls sits at 7,060 feet within Gallatin National Forest, in the high mountains of Montana. The falls drop 80 feet.

Height: 80 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Palisades Falls (80 ft) lies 0.4 miles to the east.

Palisades Falls

Trail & Hike Details

1.2 mi distance 200 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Palisade Mountain Foothills (#676), a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 200 feet of elevation gain. The trail is highly developed (Class 4).

USFS Trail

PALISADE MOUNTAIN FOOTHILLS #676

Trail Class

Highly Developed

Surface

Native Material

USFS Segment

1.13 mi

Trail Description

The trail to Palisade Falls is a short, paved path that is well-maintained and suitable for most visitors. It winds through a forested area and leads directly to the base of the waterfall, offering beautiful views along the way.

What to Expect

The falls cascade 80 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 Palisade Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Palisade Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Late spring through early fall is the best time to visit, as the trail is clear and the waterfall flow is typically strong. Winter visits are possible but may require snowshoes or traction devices.

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. In winter, the trail and parking area may be icy. Always check weather and road conditions before visiting.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

35 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

23 32 54 66

Based on 80 years of record

2.39 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

9.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 49 sq mi

Altitude: 5,540 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Hyalite C at Hyalite R S nr Bozeman MT (15 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

35 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

35 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

35 cfs

5/10

Sun

Barely Flowing

34 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

39 cfs

3/10

Tue

Low

37 cfs

6/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

33 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

33 cfs

5/10

Best window: Tue — low flow, mostly sunny (trip score 6/10).

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.

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 shows the creek losing roughly 102 feet through Palisade Falls over a long run of ledges. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 80 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 7,050 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 168 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 66 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Palisade Falls near Emigrant, Montana, showing about 102 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing southwest

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 7,050 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 102 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southwest; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Palisade Falls is located about 30 minutes from Bozeman, Montana. From Bozeman, take Hyalite Canyon Road (Forest Road 62) to the East Fork of Hyalite Creek. Follow signs to the Palisade Falls trailhead.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a designated parking area at the trailhead, which is typically sufficient for visitors. However, it may fill up during peak seasons.

Elevation

7,060 feet above sea level

Coordinates

45.471599° N, -110.936332° W

Land Management

Gallatin National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid crowds. In winter, the trail may be icy, so bring appropriate footwear. Check road conditions during winter months as Hyalite Canyon Road may be snow-covered.

This trail sits at 7,060 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 28% 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.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 1.2 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.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

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

MAXEY CABIN

0.9 miles away · 1 sites

Walking distance Reservable

Overview Maxey Cabin offers a quaint mountain retreat that is ideally located in one of Gallatin National Forest's most popular recreation areas. Guests can expect a few creature comforts at the cabin, but they will need to bring some of their own supplies and gear.The cabin is accessible by car in the summer. During the spring (from March 31st through May 16th) the road to the cabin is closed to motorized vehicle traffic every year. Guest should be prepared to hike or bike 12 miles to the cabin

Book on Recreation.gov