Shower Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (2)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Length
7.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Shower Falls
Shower Falls is one of the string of waterfalls on Hyalite Creek Trail #427 in Hyalite Canyon, south of Bozeman in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. It sits on the upper part of the trail, past Champagne Falls (about 3 miles in) and below Apex and Alpine Falls (about 5 miles in). Most hikers see it on the way to Hyalite Lake.
The Setting
Shower Falls sits at 8,140 feet within Gallatin National Forest, in the high alpine of Montana.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The moderate hike follows Hyalite Creek (#427), a 7.5-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
HYALITE CREEK #427
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
USFS Segment
0.10 miTrail Description
Hyalite Creek Trail #427 starts at the Grotto Falls trailhead at the end of Hyalite Canyon Road and climbs along the creek past about eleven waterfalls to Hyalite Lake, 11 miles round trip with about 1,900 feet of gain. Shower Falls is roughly 3.5 to 4 miles up the trail, between Champagne Falls and Apex Falls. The first 1.5 miles to Grotto Falls are wide and gentle; above that the tread is rockier and steeper.
What to Expect
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 Shower Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Custer Gallatin National Forest trails, including Hyalite Creek Trail; keep them under control.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Shower Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to snowmelt. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while summer provides warmer 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 Gallatin National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Carry bear spray and be aware of wildlife. Check trail conditions before visiting, as snow or rain can make the trail more challenging.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Hyalite C, 12.6 miles away, not on Shower Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
27 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 73 years of record
2.32 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 Hyalite C at Hyalite R S nr Bozeman MT (20 km away).
Today
Moderate
27 cfs
9/10Tomorrow
Moderate
27 cfs
9/10Thu
Moderate
27 cfs
9/10Fri
Moderate
27 cfs
9/10Sat
Moderate
28 cfs
6/10Sun
Moderate
27 cfs
6/10Mon
Moderate
27 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).
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.
Is Shower Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Shower Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 30°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 26 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.
1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 124 feet through Shower Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 8,144 feet.
The ground changes about 110 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 40 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northeast, 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
- 8,144 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 124 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northeast
- 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 northeast).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Bozeman, drive south on 19th Avenue, turn left onto Hyalite Canyon Road, continue past Hyalite Reservoir, keep right at the fork and follow the road to its end at the Grotto Falls and Hyalite Creek trailhead.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the trailhead lot at the end of Hyalite Canyon Road. The trail is heavily used, so the lot can fill on summer weekends.
Hours
Elevation
8,140 feet above sea level
Coordinates
45.399377° N, -110.956888° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
The trail is shared on a timeshare schedule: hiking and horseback only on Fridays and Saturdays, open to bikes and motorcycles Sunday through Thursday. Carry bear spray and plan for snow lingering on the upper trail into early summer.
This trail sits at 8,140 ft — the air is noticeably thinner
High AltitudeSome visitors experience headaches, fatigue, or shortness of breath at this elevation. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and consider supplemental oxygen if you're coming from a lower altitude.
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.
Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)
Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.
Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex
Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.
Where to Stay
Game Day Hub! half Mi to MSU and Bobcat Stadium
Field & Stream Lodge Bozeman
Under Canvas North Yellowstone - Paradise Valley
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Livingston Yellowstone
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
CHISHOLM CAMPGROUND
5.2 miles away · 10 sites
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Nearby Attractions
Other hiking trails and natural attractions in the area may include scenic viewpoints and smaller waterfalls.
Wildlife
The area is home to various wildlife, including deer, birds, and occasionally bears. Carry bear spray and make noise while hiking to avoid surprising wildlife.
Cities near Shower Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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