Ousel Falls in Big Sky Montana: Awesome 4-Season Hike

The Ousel Falls hike in Big Sky, Montana, is a rare four-season gem, gorgeous (and hikeable!) any time of year. It’s also short, beginner-friendly, and easily accessible—triple win! In this trail guide, we share everything you need to know to plan your hike to Ousel Falls.

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Much like Lone Peak, Ousel Falls is practically synonymous with Big Sky, Montana. You’re just as likely to encounter locals as you are visitors, and it’s justifiably included on just about every list out there of the best things to do in Big Sky. 

The short, family-friendly hike meanders alongside the Gallatin River most of the way, passing through a postcard-perfect forest and canyon en route to the namesake cascade. It’s a great option for a lighter day on the trail or to acclimate before tackling taller peaks in the area. 

As a tremendous bonus, it’s also doable in all four seasons (we’ve hiked it in September, July, and April). If you know anything about Montana, not many hikes (okay, okay, not much of anything) are even accessible year-round, much less doable.

Stick around to find out why the Ousel Falls hike (pronounced Ooh-zuhl, for those curious) is one of the best, most popular hikes in Big Sky. 

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Admittedly, this trail is a lot more ‘urban’ than many (most) other Montana hikes, with amenities like picnic tables and doggie waste bag dispensers. Heck, there’s even a path to the trailhead directly from Big Sky Town Center!

Yes, that means the trail tends to get a bit crowded, but we assure you, it’s still well worth it. In fact, we do this hike nearly every time we visit Big Sky!

The path undulates through a rugged gorge en route to Ousel Falls, running alongside the Gallatin River most of the way. For those of you who’ve been to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, the trail reminds us a lot of Mossy Cave. 

Speaking of national parks, it’s easy to confuse the Ousel Falls in Big Sky with Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park while researching. 

Fun fact: they’re both named after the bird more commonly called the American Dipper, which hunts by diving underwater for insects and small fish.

In a hurry or looking specifically for details on the route? Skip to our section-by-section breakdown of the Ousel Falls trail.

Know Before You Go

The hike to Ousel Falls is short and sweet, but there are still several things to keep in mind before hitting the trail. 

Getting to Ousel Falls

The Ousel Falls trailhead is about two miles southwest of Big Sky Town Center, right outside the entrance to the luxury gated Spanish Peaks community. 

Coming from either Bozeman to the north or Yellowstone to the south, take Highway 191 to MT 64/Lone Mountain Trail and head west, toward Big Sky Resort. Turn left (south) on Ousel Falls Road at Town Center, and go 1.8 miles to the park and trailhead. 

Ousel Falls is equidistant from Bozeman and West Yellowstone, just shy of one hour from both. It’s a short enough hike that you can easily do it as a quick stop road-tripping between the two! We’ve done exactly this and highly recommend it.

You can also walk to the trailhead from Big Sky Town Center, if you want to add a few easy miles to your distance. Start HERE (park in the big lot behind Alberto’s), and follow the 1.8-mile trail that runs alongside Ousel Falls Road.  

Parking

There’s a large parking lot right at the trailhead with well-maintained pit toilets and picnic tables. 

Cell Service

We’ve always had decent cell service on the entire trail, with both Verizon and AT&T. 

How Hard is the Ousel Falls Hike?

This is an easy, beginner-friendly hike. There are a few sets of gentle switchbacks, including right at the beginning of the trail, and a fair amount of undulation, but it’s completely manageable even for kiddos. A large portion of it is even paved!

The trail is also wide, very well-marked, and level, even in the ‘steepest’ sections along the switchbacks. Hikers with mobility concerns may find a pair of trekking poles beneficial, but otherwise there’s nothing at all to worry about!

How Long Does the Hike Take?

Even if you intentionally take your time or have kids who stop what seems like every 10 feet, hiking to Ousel Falls shouldn’t take longer than about one hour. Of course, having a picnic, exploring side trails, or playing in the water may take a bit longer! To be safe, budget about two hours total.

Best Time of Year to Hike to Ousel Falls

One of the things that makes the Ousel Falls trail such a gem is that it’s hike-able in all four seasons. Because that’s such a rarity in Montana, we honestly don’t think there’s one ‘best’ time. Instead, each season has its own special magic:

• Winter (December-March): The snow-blanketed trail is a true winter wonderland, with Ousel Falls frozen over and icicles clinging to the gorge walls. It’s more crowded than you may assume, though—not only is it one of the only hikes accessible in the winter, but it’s also a popular local sledding area!
• Spring (April-early June): Waterfall chasers will be in heaven, as the falls and river rage with snowmelt. Note that snow and ice often linger into early summer. 
• Summer (Late June-early September): By far the most popular (and yes, crowded) time of year for this hike, when you’ll see lots of people taking a refreshing dip and loads of wildflowers.
• Fall (September-November): One of our personal favorite times of year in Big Sky, when summer crowds thin, the weather is gorgeous, and trees start to turn. Ousel Falls itself slows to not much more than a trickle, but the scenery is still incredible.

Hiking Ousel Falls in winter? Consider renting snowshoes when there’s significant snow on the ground. East Slope Outdoors in Town Center rents them for $15 per day. At the very least, bring microspikes you can quickly throw on over your boots if needed. 

Wildlife on the Trail

A wide variety of wild animals live in this area, including deer, moose, foxes, and yes, both black bears and grizzly bears. Bear sightings aren’t necessarily frequent in the Ousel Falls area, but they’re not unheard of, either—this is bear country, after all. 

Pay close attention to your surroundings and make noise if you find yourself alone on the trail (which, honestly, is unlikely unless it’s winter time, when bears hibernate anyway). If you feel more comfortable, you can also carry bear spray on your hike. 

Hey Bear in Town Center rents bear spray by the day, starting at $16.

Route Details

Managed by Big Sky Community Organization, the entire Ousel Falls trail is exceptionally well-maintained. Not only is the trail in great shape, it’s also well-signed throughout.

From the parking lot, the clearly marked trailhead is right behind the bathrooms. If you’re looking at the main kiosk in the lot, there’s also a small blue sign that says, “waterfall this way” with an arrow. 

As you progress on the trail, you’ll pass a couple of trail junctions: First Yellow Mule and Ralph’s Pass. The Ousel Falls trail is easy to follow, but be mindful that you don’t accidentally hop onto one of these. 

This is exactly why having AllTrails Plus comes in handy, so you can follow the trail map even in places where there’s no cell signal.

Into the Canyon

The trail initially follows the canyon rim, but almost immediately descends into the gorge, dropping a little over 130 feet via a few switchbacks. 

At about 0.3 miles, you’ll cross the first large footbridge over the South Fork of the West Fork of the Gallatin River (a mouthful, we know!). 

After the bridge, the trail climbs ever so slightly and passes a couple of trail junctions. Remember, stay on the Ousel Falls Trail! 

Continue on through the forest, and in about a quarter-mile, the trail drops a bit again and you’ll come to another bridge crossing, this one over a smaller creek. You’ll see some small, unnamed cascades as you cross this second bridge, a little taste of what’s to come. 

After another set of switchbacks and a third bridge, you’re nearly to Ousel Falls. In fact, the falls come into view (and earshot) at the end of this last one. 

Here, you have a few choices. The trail leads to an overlook across from Ousel Falls. A short but steep trail with steps and handrails leads down to the base of the falls and picnic area. There’s also another trail leading to the top of the falls. Signs point the way for all options. 

Feel free to explore all around the base of the waterfall, but do so carefully and only with sturdy, grippy shoes. In the best conditions, the rocks here are slippery.

In warm weather (and even some not-so-warm weather!), you’ll likely see people taking a dip at the base of the falls. Again, use extreme caution if you decide to swim. Even when the water looks calm, this is a wild, undammed river with unpredictable currents. 

When you’re ready to head back, simply retrace your steps back to the parking lot. 

Tips for Hiking to Ousel Falls

Montana has a couple of unique fishing regulations to protect wildlife. Barbless, single hooks are required (no treble hooks), and you must use lead-free weights.

• Wear grippy, water-ready shoes. You’ll encounter water crossings or mud any time of year, plus you may want to get in the water. Hiking sandals like Chacos are perfect in summer and early fall, and waterproof hiking boots are best in winter and spring. 
• Take extra precautions (and gear!) in winter. The river continues to flow under snow and ice even in the dead of winter, so watch your footing. It’s also smart to bring microspikes and/or trekking poles. Better to have and not need than need and not have!
• Download a trail map ahead of time. Even though Ousel Falls isn’t a long or difficult hike, it’s ALWAYS a smart idea to have an offline trail map. AllTrails Plus is perfect for this!
• Fishing enthusiast? Bring your rod. The Gallatin River is a prized fishing destination, particularly for trout. Just be sure you have valid Montana fishing licenses. Yes that’s plural, but thankfully you can buy them online.

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