North Fork Falls
Lewis and Clark County, Montana
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Lewis and Clark County, Montana
- Access status
- Long wilderness trail; free day use
- The walk
- About 7.3 to 7.9 miles one way, about 15.7 miles return
- Ground & access
- Long but mostly gentle grade with rolling inclines. Shared with stock users. Burned forest from the 2017 fires.
North Fork Falls is on the North Fork of the Blackfoot River in the Scapegoat Wilderness. From MT-200 about five miles past Ovando, take the gravel road about 12 miles to the North Fork Blackfoot River Trailhead. The Hobnail Tom Trail follows the river canyon with a gentle grade, crossing on footbridges, to the historic North Fork Cabin about seven miles in. Just beyond the cabin the trail gives views of the falls from the cliffs above. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
North Fork Blackfoot River Trailhead (Forest Road 5518) on the Hobnail Tom Trail (#32) up the North Fork canyon into the Scapegoat Wilderness to the North Fork Cabin and falls
onX describes a 7.3-mile trail to the North Fork Cabin and nearby falls and lists the there-and-back route as 15.71 miles.
Long but mostly gentle grade with rolling inclines. Shared with stock users. Burned forest from the 2017 fires.
Where to start
North Fork Blackfoot River Trailhead with parking and stock facilities, on Forest Road 5518, a gravel road suitable for passenger cars.
Timing & water
Wilderness rules apply: no motor vehicles or bicycles, group size limits, and bear food storage rules. Flow is strongest in spring runoff.
Before you go
onX says no fees or permits are needed for day use; register at the trailhead kiosk.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.