From the trailhead for TR 18 you start your hike walking parallel with the magnificent Boulder River for about ¼ of a mile. Abruptly you start to climb out of the valley up the mountainside and soon you cross the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness boundary. The trail becomes somewhat rocky and with a few switchbacks offering some incredible views of the Absarokas. After hiking 1.5 miles up Great Falls Creek trail there is a undeveloped trail to the left you want to take. This will you down a steep draw some 200 yards to a very cool Great Falls Creek Falls. |
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Drive south of Big Timber on Montana Secondary 298, past historic McLeod, 25 miles to the Main Boulder Road (FR 6639). Continue going south another 5 miles to the turnoff for trail 18 (Great Falls Creek trail) and the subsequent parking lot. |
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The headwaters of the Boulder River is in the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountain deep in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area. From there it flows pretty much due north through the spectacular Boulder Valley, where it confluences with the Yellowstone River by the town of Big Timber.
Natural and man-made wonders can be found all along this valley. Hiking out of the historic Main Boulder Ranger Station, you can view Lions Head, a prominent rock out cropping, and ancient Indian caves. Almost to the end of the Main Boulder Road is Box Canyon Rd., which up it 5 miles is the old mining ghost town of Independence. The short period the town was in its’ mining heyday was during the 1890’s, then it was for the most part abandoned. Today you can view the historic ruins from the road, but the town is privately owned so please don’t trespass.
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Falls Creek Campground is 3 miles south of Natural Bridges State Monument on the Main Boulder Road (County Rd 212). Located in the Gallatin National Forest this campground run by the U.S.Forest Service. This is a pack-in pack-out tents only campground with 8 campsites. There are handicapped accessible toilets, potable water from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and there is no camping fee.
Big Beaver Campground is a USFS camping area 3 miles further south from Falls CG on County Rd. 212 (access road not suitable for vehicles longer than 32 feet). There are 5 campsites, Pack-in pack-out, no water, handicapped accessible toilets, and no camping fee.
Chippy Park Campground (USFS) is 25 miles south of Big Timber on US 298 then another 9.5 miles on the Main Boulder Road to the campground. There are 7 camping units, handicapped accessible facilities, drinking water (Memorial Day – Labor Day), pack-in pack-out with $5/day fee. The largest parking spur is 12` x 42` and 2 of the camping sites are walk-in (park at a distance).
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Waterfall Resources
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Below are some means
to help you on your journey discovering Montana's waterfalls.
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Waterfall Photography
Tips on Waterfalls Photography, Waterfall Photography Gear, Tough Digital Cameras, Ideal lenses ... [more]
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Gear for exploring Montana's waterfalls
Enviromentally Friendly Gear. Backpacking, Hiking and Camping Equipment. GIS, Fishing ... [more]
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Green cars for a clean Montana
We advocate the use of enviromentally freindly vehicles. Lets face it, Montana,
with the largest superfund site in the nation could use some of our help ... [more]
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Waterfall posters
We have a great collection of waterfall posters. Some are of Montana waterfalls, Some are of waterfalls found across the globe ...
[more]
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Home Waterfall Resources
Information on how to build and where to find indoor waterfalls, Outdoor waterfalls, Garden Waterfalls and Pond Waterfalls ...
[more]
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