Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
50.00 ft (15.24 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
1.00 mi (1.61 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Boulder Creek Falls is an easy out-and-back hike near Darby, Montana. It is only about a half mile from the parking lot to the falls, and there is minimal elevation gain. You will reach to a fork in the trail; take a left to go to the falls or a right to keep going deeper along Boulder Creek. The falls are divided into a couple sections, so you will need to climb some rocks to get to the upper falls. There is a horse staging area in the parking lot, but no toilet.

Boulder Creek originates high up in the Bitterroot Mountains from Boulder Lake near the Idaho border. It rushes through the canyon winding its way down into the West Fork of the Bitterroot River. The area houses many species of animals including black bear, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, big horn sheep, mountain lions, mountain goats, and elk. The flora in the Bitterroot wildnerness is incredibly abundant as well. Keep your eyes peeled for species such as arrowleaf balsamroot, bear grass, Indian paintbrush, subalpine spirea, and, of course bitterroot.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Shaded. Easy. Allows horses.

Cons

Bugs.

Trailhead Elevation

4,503.00 ft (1,372.51 m)

Highest point

4,553.00 ft (1,387.75 m)

Features

Family friendly
Waterfalls
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Bird watching
Fishing
Horseback riding

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Horseback

Permit required

No

Location

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