Upper Falls
Montana • 109 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrain
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.9 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Upper Falls
Upper Falls is a waterfall in the West Fork Yaak River drainage of the Kootenai National Forest, north of Yaak in far northwest Montana. It is reached by the short West Fork Cascadia Trail (USFS Trail #315), which runs about 0.4 mile from Forest Road 5857 to the falls. Lower Falls, at the West Fork Yaak Falls trail off Yaak Road 92, is about 1.5 miles to the east.
The Setting
Upper Falls sits at 3,284 feet within Kootenai National Forest, in the mountains of Montana. At 109 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Montana.
Height: 109 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy hike follows West Fork Cascadia Trail (#315), a 0.9-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is developed (Class 3).
USFS Trail
WEST FORK CASCADIA TRAIL #315
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.43 miTrail Description
USFS Trail #315, the West Fork Cascadia Trail, is mapped at 0.43 mile one way from Forest Road 5857 to the falls, so the round trip is a little under 1 mile. The Forest Service lists it as a Class 3 trail with a native (dirt) tread and a typical grade of 8 to 10 percent, so expect a few steeper pitches.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 109 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Upper 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 Upper Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Late spring and early summer, when snowmelt keeps the West Fork Yaak running high.
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 grizzly and black bear country: carry bear spray and make noise on the trail. Rocks near the falls can be slippery.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Yaak River, 28 miles away, not on Upper Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
117 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 69 years of record
3.04 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 Yaak River near Troy MT (45 km away).
Today
Moderate
126 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Moderate
119 cfs
6/10Tue
Moderate
109 cfs
6/10Wed
Moderate
114 cfs
8/10Thu
Moderate
115 cfs
6/10Fri
Moderate
115 cfs
8/10Sat
Moderate
120 cfs
5/10Best window: Wed — moderate flow, partly sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to late June, 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 Yaak hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Upper Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Upper Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 49°F to 33°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 122 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.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 120 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. It lines up with the 109 feet the falls are usually credited with. Elevation at the pin is about 3,274 feet.
The whole reach is steep: about 153 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 141 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north 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
- 3,274 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 120 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- 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 north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Yaak, the West Fork Cascadia Trail (#315) starts on Forest Road 5857 (French Garver Road), a gravel road the Forest Service maintains for passenger cars. Check a Kootenai National Forest map or call the forest for current road conditions before driving.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
3,284 feet above sea level
Coordinates
48.931345° N, -115.717131° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring a Kootenai National Forest map, since cell coverage is limited in the Yaak. Wear shoes with good grip for the steeper sections of trail.
Where to Stay
Quiet Log Cabin • Gazebo • Near River & Trails
Log Inn Bonners Ferry
North Haven Campground
Northside School Bed & Breakfast
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
GARVER MTN. LOOKOUT RENTAL
3.5 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Garver Mountain Lookout is perched on top of Garver Mountain at an elevation of 5,874 feet. The lookout is located in the Yaak area of the Kootenai National Forest, characterized by its minimal services and rugged beauty. This destination is ideal for visitors with an adventurous attitude, looking for a plethora of outdoor activities. Garver Mountain Lookout has been used as an observation point for detecting forest fires since 1929. The first lookout was a one-story log cabin, which is
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Lower Falls on the West Fork Yaak (USFS Trail #176 off Yaak Road 92), the West Fork Yaak River Trail (#318), and Yaak Falls south of Yaak.
Cities near Upper Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Upper Falls
25 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
Writing about Upper Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.