Pine Creek Falls is an easy-access waterfall hike that delivers a genuinely impressive payoff: 100 feet of multi-tiered falls that you can photograph from multiple angles and hear from a hundred yards away. The flat approach makes it accessible to nearly anyone, and the creek alongside the trail is good for dogs the whole way.
The honest framing is that Pine Creek Falls is also the first mile of the Pine Creek Lake trail, and a lot of hikers who come specifically for the falls eventually start wondering what is above them. If you are a casual hiker, the falls are the destination and they are worth it. If you are an experienced hiker, treat this as a warmup and keep going.
The trailhead will appear busy due to the popularity of both the falls and the Pine Creek Lake hike, but you should have no trouble finding a spot.
The trailhead is located at the Pine Creek Campground which has a vault toilet. You'll drive past it on your way to your parking spot.
This is one of the most popular short hikes in Paradise Valley, so expect company. The trail is wide enough that passing other hikers is never an issue.
Once you're on Luccock Park Road, it gets a bit narrow and windy, but nothing rough. Pavement the entire way.
You'll be out of service for the entirety of this hike.
Dogs can be off-leash on this trail and there is plenty of shade and water along the way. Your dog will love the creek access.
38.7 Miles from Bozeman, MT. 50 Minutes
From Bozeman, head East towards Livingston on Interstate 90. When you get to Livingston, take exit 333 for US-89 South through Paradise Valley.
Head South for about three miles. When you see a sign for Carter's Bridge Fishing Access, take the left onto MT-540. You'll be on this road for almost 8 miles until you see some signs on your left for Luccock Park. Take the left onto Luccock Park Road crossing the cattle guard, drive another three miles and you'll hit a dead-end at the Pine Creek Campground and Trailhead.
The trail runs alongside Pine Creek for most of the hike. Given the short distance, just bring a water bottle and you'll be fine.
16 oz consumed per person
The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow the entire way to the falls. Expect some muddy spots in early season.
The trail is mostly shaded and easy. Tennis shoes or light hiking shoes will work fine. You might get some mist on you near the falls, so keep that in mind if it's a cooler day.
Footwear: Tennis Shoes OK
This is a short hike and food is not necessary. If you want to make a picnic out of it, there are spots near the falls to sit and eat.
Due to the water and forest there's potential for bugs on this hike depending on the weather and time of year. Bring your bug spray in case.
The trail runs through dense lodgepole forest almost the entire way, so you'll have shade for the majority of the hike.
This is a short day hike with no camping at the falls. If you're looking to camp, the Forest Service operates Pine Creek Campground right at the trailhead.
Pine Creek Lake
The trail to Pine Creek Falls is the first mile of the longer Pine Creek Lake hike. If you're feeling ambitious, keep going past the falls for a strenuous 11-mile round trip to one of the most stunning alpine lakes in the Absarokas.
George Lake
Quickly after starting the hike from the trailhead, you'll see a sign for George Lake to your right. It's a dead-end five-mile trek with its own trailhead at the west end of Pine Creek Campground.
Beartooth Publishing's Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Map covers this hike.
Pine Creek Falls is accessible year-round. Spring snowmelt brings the strongest flow. Summer is peak season with consistent access and off-leash dogs allowed. The trail is passable most winters.
June through August: high water from snowmelt in early season, trail clear, dogs can be off-leash, campground at trailhead is open.
May and September: fewer people, May brings peak snowmelt flow, September is cool and quiet with good photography light in the lodgepole forest.
No seasonal road closure. The paved road is accessible year-round. Early spring can bring muddy trail conditions.
Yes, and dogs can be off-leash on this trail. The wide path and creek access alongside make it comfortable for most dogs.
Pine Creek Falls is at the 1-mile mark on the same trail that continues to Pine Creek Lake at 5.5 miles. Most casual visitors stop at the falls. Experienced hikers continue up the steep trail above to the lake.
Yes. The road is paved the entire way from Livingston, including Luccock Park Road. It gets narrow and winding near the campground but is passable in any vehicle.
The 2.5-mile round trip takes about 1 to 1.5 hours at an easy pace. The trail is flat and the footing is solid the whole way.
Yes. Pine Creek Campground has vault toilets at the trailhead area. You will drive past them on the way to the parking area.
Plug 2.5 miles and 460 feet of elevation gain into our free hiking time calculator for a personalized estimate.