Thunderbird Falls
Montana • Glacier National Park
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
Partly frozen · 0 days below freezing LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Length
12.4 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
1,050 ft
About Thunderbird Falls
Thunderbird Falls is a backcountry waterfall in the northwest corner of Glacier National Park, near Lake Francis on the Boulder Pass Trail between Goat Haunt and Brown Pass. Thunderbird Creek drains Thunderbird Glacier into Lake Francis below Thunderbird Mountain. Reaching it is a long day hike or backpacking trip, most often from Goat Haunt at the south end of Waterton Lake.
The Setting
Thunderbird Falls sits at 6,634 feet within Glacier National Park, in the high mountains of Montana.
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Lineham Falls (410 ft) lies 9.5 miles to the north. Also nearby: Upper Bertha Falls (246 ft, 7.6 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The hard 12.4-mile out-and-back trail gains 1,050 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
From the Goat Haunt Ranger Station, the trail to Lake Francis is 6.2 miles one way with about 1,050 feet of gain, per the NPS; the falls are near the lake. Hawksbill and Lake Francis backcountry campgrounds are nearby, and Brown Pass lies a short distance farther west. From the Bowman Lake side, the falls are on the far side of Brown Pass, roughly 14 or more miles one way.
What to Expect
Expect a remote backcountry trail through forest and subalpine terrain with views of Thunderbird Mountain and its glacier. There are no developed facilities at the falls.
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 Thunderbird Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets aren't allowed on trails, lakeshores or in the backcountry in Glacier National Park; leashed pets may stay in developed areas like roads and campgrounds.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Thunderbird Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
July through September, when the trail is mostly snow-free and the boat to Goat Haunt operates.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Check with Glacier National Park for current conditions.
Safety Information
This is grizzly bear country; carry bear spray and make noise. Snow can linger on the trail near Brown Pass into early summer, and weather changes quickly.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Swiftcurrent Creek, 19.7 miles away, not on Thunderbird Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
22 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 76 years of record
1.56 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 Swiftcurrent Creek at Many Glacier MT (32 km away).
Today
Strong
23 cfs
7/10Tomorrow
Strong
23 cfs
10/10Thu
Strong
23 cfs
10/10Fri
Strong
22 cfs
10/10Sat
Strong
23 cfs
7/10Sun
Roaring
23 cfs
6/10Mon
Roaring
23 cfs
6/10Best window: Tomorrow — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to late July, 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 Polebridge hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Thunderbird Falls Frozen?
Updated about 7 hours agoPartly frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Thunderbird Falls is probably icing up: 6 freezing days in the last two weeks. Expect icicles and ice at the edges with water still running through the middle.
- Days below freezing
- 6 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.
Along the line through the falls, the bare ground drops about 440 feet, most of it in one sheer step, the signature of a plunge waterfall. The ground at the falls is roughly 6,644 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 94 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 483 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and 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
- 6,644 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 440 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
Most hikers reach Goat Haunt at the south end of Upper Waterton Lake by tour boat from Waterton, Alberta, or on foot, then follow the trail toward Lake Francis and Brown Pass. Hikers can also come over Brown Pass from Bowman Lake in the park's North Fork area. Check the NPS trail status page for cross-border travel rules at Goat Haunt.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is no road to Goat Haunt. Park in Waterton townsite for the boat, or at the Bowman Lake trailhead if approaching from the North Fork.
Elevation
6,634 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.940725° N, -114.032455° W
Land Management
Managed by NPS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Overnight stays require a Glacier National Park backcountry permit. Carry bear spray, rain gear and enough food and water for a full day.
This trail sits at 6,634 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 27% 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 challenging 12.4 miles trail gains 1,050 ft in elevation — come prepared with proper hiking boots and trekking poles. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.
America the Beautiful Annual Pass
Covers entrance fees at 2,000+ federal recreation sites — required at most National Parks.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
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.
Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof
Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.
Where to Stay
Aspen Village
Waterton Lakes Lodge Resort
Prince of Wales Hotel
Waterton Glacier Suites
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
SCHNAUS CABIN
16.2 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Schnaus Cabin is located near the Wild and Scenic North Fork of the Flathead River, in the Flathead National Forest. It can host up to 12 guests for a scenic, peaceful mountain vacation. The rustic dwelling provides a superb setting for fishing, hiking, bird watching and much more in the Whitefish Mountains. The fully accessible cabin can be reached via vehicle and a parking area is located outside the cabin. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must b
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Lake Francis, Lake Janet, Brown Pass, Hole in the Wall Falls, Upper Waterton Lake and Goat Haunt.
Wildlife
Grizzly and black bears, moose, mountain goats and bighorn sheep live in this part of the park.
Cities near Thunderbird Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Writing about Thunderbird Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.