Bear Creek Falls Trail
- Madeline
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 26
The Bear Creek Falls Trail (#5) is located just south of Victor, due west from Tucker Crossing on Highway 93. It's about a 15-minute drive once you turn off the highway. If you're just going to the falls, the trail is about 3 miles out-and-back, however, there is a trail deep into the Selway Wilderness to Bryan Lake near the Montana-Idaho border. The full trail to the lake and back is 15.4 miles with nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain.
Going beyond Bryan Lake, the trail goes over Bear Creek Pass into Idaho, follows Packbox Creek, goes over Packbox Pass back into Montana, along Big Creek Lakes, and connects to the Big Creek Trail to the north. This full backpacking trip is about 27 miles and includes nearly 6,000 feet of elevation gain. I myself have not done this trek, but guides recommend planning for 4-5 days to complete the journey.
The trail does cross the creek multiple times - sometimes in maintained sections of trail, other times in not-maintained sections. Just after the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness boundary, there is a crossing with a log bridge. I'm not 100% certain it is the same location, but I did manage to find a cool photo of testing a new log footbridge across Bear Creek from 1961.
But back to Bear Creek Falls, which is the subject of this blog. The journey is much less strenuous, at only 2.8 miles out and 280 feet of elevation gain. I'd definitely classify it as an easy hike.
The first half mile of the trail and the half mile approaching the falls is characterized by a mix of talus fields and forest cover. The middle half mile is predominantly under tree cover. This covered section is often quite damp as there are some small run off streams that cross the trails. There is thick undergrowth and lots of moss. On a rainy spring day, it definitely feels like the Pacific Northwest.
Once you reach the falls at 1.4 miles, the trail opens up to a wide rocky clearing. In the summer, this is a great spot to plan a picnic if you're hiking with kiddos. There is a very sharp drop-off to the falls and the rushing creek, so keep an eye on pets and kids.
One of the more interesting and distinct aspects of the falls, is that it is not a one channel falls. But rather, the creek splits in two just before the falls and go around a rock island. It's effectively two falls in one. In the late fall or winter, when the creek water level is low, you can cross the split in the creek to get to the island. However, I'd caution you to be very careful and perhaps only attempt if you're hiking with a buddy. The water in the creek can be deceivingly deep and strong.
In peak run-off around June, kayakers will even hike in and go down the creek back to the trailhead. Even in the heat of summer, this is a great hike to do with kids and dogs. There are multiple spots for dogs to snag a drink, and there are accessible areas of the creek to dig your feet in at the beginning and after the falls. In the fall, head up the trail in October and early November to see the falls with a backdrop of golden tamaracks. The water level will be low, but there will still be a waterfall.
Unsurprisingly, the Bear Creek trail is a great spot for wildflower peepers. I've seen cinquefoils, glacier lilies, trillium, shooting stars, calypso orchids, Jacob's ladder, lupines, heartleaf arnica, rocky mountain clematis, paintbrush, and penstemons. I'm probably forgetting a handful. Needless to say, it's worth making the hike multiple times in the spring and early summer.
As always, enjoy wildflowers from the trail to avoid damaging any delicate plant life and to prevent the widening of the path over time. And don't forget to look up too! I have to catch myself sometimes when I hike along and just look at the ground looking for flowers. Don't miss the incredible views on the open sections of trail near the waterfall and in the talus fields.
See you out there.
Trail Information Sources:
Hiking Waterfalls Montana: A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes, John Kratz, Falcon Guides, 2022 (print)
Hiking the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, Scott Steinberg, Falcon Guides, 2012 (print)
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