LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Tenmile Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainAbout Tenmile Falls
Tenmile Falls is on Tenmile Creek in the Kootenai National Forest, in the Salish Mountains east of Lake Koocanusa and west of Trego in northwest Montana. The Forest Service's Tenmile Trail (#21) follows the creek and passes close to the falls. Little published information exists on the falls themselves, so plan with a forest map.
The Setting
Tenmile Falls sits at 4,042 feet within Kootenai National Forest, in the mountains of Montana.
Trail & Hike Details
USFS Trail
TENMILE #21
Trail Class
Minimally Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.11 miTrail Description
USFS Tenmile Trail #21 climbs east from the Tenmile Trailhead road near Lake Koocanusa and passes within a few hundred feet of the falls roughly 3 miles in, based on Forest Service trail mapping. The Forest Service rates it Class 1 (minimally developed), with some short sections mapped at 20 to 50 percent grade, so expect a rough, steep path rather than a groomed trail.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and elevation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Tenmile Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Kootenai National Forest trails; Forest Service guidelines require a 6-foot leash in developed recreation areas and on interpretive trails.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Tenmile Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Late spring and early summer, when snowmelt keeps Tenmile Creek running highest.
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
This is bear country: carry bear spray and make noise. Watch for falling snags in the burned area, especially on windy days.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Kootenai River, 16.5 miles away, not on Tenmile Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
4,260 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
17.88 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
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 Kootenai River bl Libby Dam nr Libby MT (27 km away).
Today
Low
4601 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
4247 cfs
6/10Thu
Barely Flowing
3643 cfs
5/10Fri
Low
4474 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
4574 cfs
4/10Sun
Low
4837 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
4936 cfs
4/10Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, mostly sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early November to late December, peaking in December.
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 Trego hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Tenmile Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid
Tenmile Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 41°F to 31°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 4220 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 measures about 186 feet of descent through Tenmile Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 4,084 feet above sea level.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 178 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 148 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing south, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 4,084 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 186 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The Tenmile Trail (#21) begins at the end of the Tenmile Trailhead road (Forest Road 14007), a high-clearance native-surface road near the mouth of Tenmile Creek on Lake Koocanusa. Check with the Kootenai National Forest for current road and trail conditions.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
4,042 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.618571° N, -115.171831° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Carry a Kootenai National Forest map and do not rely on cell service. Ask the Forest Service about trail maintenance before going.
Where to Stay
Sandman Motel
Evergreen Motel
Stunning Montana Retreat Hot Tub, On-Site Hiking!
Ohana Ranch
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Barron Creek Boating Site
9.1 miles away · 0 sites
The Barron Creek Boating Site is approximately 25 miles northeast of Libby on FDR road 228. This camping area has seven sites. The 3 sites in the open area have fire rings and vault toilet nearby and are able to accomodate up to a 40' rv. The 4 sites in the boat dock parking area have a vault toilet nearby. Campground road and boat ramp are paved, parking spurs and loops are of native material. Amenities include vault toilets, and a fully developed boat ramp with dock.
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Lake Koocanusa, the Koocanusa Bridge, and Little North Fork Falls on Big Creek Road 336.
Cities near Tenmile Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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