Ousel Falls Trail Reviews

Well worth the trek down to the falls, trip back up is a little difficult but there are plenty of beautiful spots to rest along the way.

Close to Big Sky, we hiked the well constructed path to Ousel Falls on a sunny Thursday morning. The views were awesome. The hike was fun with all of the terrain and elevation changes, and the falls were truly beautiful.

The hike back to the falls (1.6 miles round trip) is not for the squeamish. The falls are exceptional site but be prepared for lot of up and down trails to see the water show. Well worth the trek but not a leisurely stroll.

Ousel Falls was well worth the hike! Very simple starter hike and the falls were great! Got more crowded with people as the day went on but not terrible

Easy, short hike with the family (teens) to see some pretty awesome Falls! We all really enjoyed it!

Beautiful morning hike to Ousel Falls. Trail was in great shape! Many thanks to Big Sky for maintaining this beautiful trail.

This was an early morning hike for myself, my 17-year-old twins and another family. It was one of the shorter hikes we did. The waterfall was gorgeous!

This was a nice AM hike with the family, very pretty and nice trails! The kids enjoyed being able to go down by the river!

Reviews said that it was an easy hike. Something to take into consideration is the altitude. I would recommend doing this after you have gotten used to the heights. The falls were lovely and it was a great day.

Ousel Falls is a quick well maintained trail to beautiful waterfalls. I recommend this to anyone visiting! I saw older people, small children and many dogs. There are benches along the way if you get winded. It starts out going downhil the flat across a bridge, then uphill, downhill and uphill again then back. The elevation change had me sitting at benches along the way, but I did it and Im in my mid sixties and out of shape. If I could do it anyone can and its so worth it!

This is a hike for those who are happy walking on asphalt, It is a simple little hike with serious elevation change only at the beginning and end. The falls are beautiful. It is a nice hike to start you time at Big Sky.

We visited the park on an off day from skiing. We snow shoed the trail, but on this day, they weren’t needed because the path was well packed down by all of the previous hikers. It was quite serene, with snow gently falling and the scenery was beautiful. The park was easy to get to, the hike not too long and not too strenuous for this 60+ year old.

This trail was pretty easy and short (about 0.8 miles one way), very well maintained and paved throughout, and the waterfall was beautiful! We didn't have a lot of time, but wanted to do some hiking and this was perfect. With all the picture stops along the way (you're going along the river/creek the whole time and there are plenty of pretty spots before the waterfall) it took us less than 2 hours.

The trail was very well maintained. It was a good uphill hike, that wound around the river and between the trees. The falls were lovely. So glad I went. It was a bit more than my friend wanted to hike so she sat at a picnic table overlooking the river, enjoying the scenery while I trekked up.

Loved this trail with lovely cascading falls. It was a little warm in august but well worth the hike. Bring lots of water and snacks

Great afternoon hike with breathtaking views, especially when you reach the waterfalls! Lots of places to stop along the way!

Beautiful hike to falls. The water was flowing and spraying with intense purpose. A must see if you are in the area@

We hiked this trail in the summer and it gets a bit busy. The views are lovely and we plan to hike it this winter.

Enjoyed the trail to and from Ousel Falls. Dispite the rain and mist during the early morning hours the trail was very safe and footing very good. The trail is maintained by locals and they do an excellent job of presenting the scenery.

An easy walk on a well maintained trail to a magnificent falls. Easy access and quick reward for a short hike. Great way to fill an hour in your stay at Big Sky.

What beautiful scenery! The trail is well maintained and lined with wildflowers. For our 2 very experienced hikers, it was an easy walk; for the others it was a hike but not overly difficult. Well worth the trip to see the falls!

I went in this trail in December , first day of winter. It was 17F early morning, very could . Just me in the trail. It was very doable with snow hiking boots and trekking poles but I think that it could be done just with regular hiking boots. The path was snowy but completely groomed until the waterfall. Just a few icy steps close to the waterfall that it was doable with handrails. The waterfall was almost completely frozen with fantastic photo opportunities. The scenery around was also fantastic and there was a great stone wall in the path some feet before the end of the trail with narrows and high frozens columns of waterfalls and “ stalactites” of ice that it was amazing. The hike was easy but it can be considered as moderate if you are in a hurry how I was in that morning. But it was totally worth it with a great reward for a relatively short effort. Hike and enjoy it!!!

Very scenic and well maintained public trail connecting to several other popular local trails. A must for all visitors to Big Sky.

Easy hike and fun way to cool off. I visited in early June and the winter run off was at peak so the falls were huge. We saw double rainbows in the mist. You could not wade in the high water due to dangerous currents, but the mist was refreshing and you could get soaked standing near the base if you wanted. Rocks were slippery but there's a hand rail. The trail is very well maintained and can be walked in any footwear, but I suggest sneakers or hiking shoes in the spring because it's wet and muddy near the falls.

We love Ousel Falls and hike the trail every time we are in Big Sky. It isn't long but it can get the heart pumping. Especially when you are not used to the elevation.

Beautiful easy hike on a well maintained path. Plea that of benches to stop and rest if you are limited. You can even rent a bike to ride this path from a local vendor.

The hike was perfect for a summer activity in Big Sky …really well maintained trail and well marked and beautiful scenery the entire way. We started at 11:00am and were done with the round trip by 12:30 even with stops and photos and enjoying the sounds of nature and water - Well worth the mile and a half and we went in and came back out and lots of benches and places to stop and rest or take photos along the way . A few stretches of steeper trails and stairs but worth it and easy to moderate if you like to hike. Both the river and the falls were picturesque and beautiful. Easy parking close to the trailhead and maps and signs marking the way. Would do again anytime and calming for the soul.

This short trail takes you through beautiful scenery and the waterfall is beautiful. It has some steep areas, but with the fact that it is well maintained, truly most people could walk this. I highly recommend that you go and enjoy this stunning surprise!

I'd highly recommend this as a short hike to a great waterfall! We are so glad we did this one morning while in Big Sky. So beautiful! Highly recommended!

Ousel Falls is not to be missed. Spectacular falls with an easy hike. Take lots of photos. Parking is easy to find.

This is a popular trail in Big Sky for a good reason. It’s easily accessible from the Town Center and a short hike on a very smooth and well maintained path. The highlight is the falls which changes based on the time of year. In the winter they become an ice fall which is simply magical.

Rainbows in heavy mist with the rivers running full, Ousel is beautiful in all sorts of weather, and a great, short easy trail with benches & tables along the way. Free parking at the trailhead.

This was a nice short hike to the bottom of a hill to get to the falls. The hill was a little steep, even though there was a switch back.

Great hike, beautiful scenery. Easy hike. Perfect for anyone. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow.

Ousel Falls is a short (1.6 mile), relatively easy, hike in the heart of Big Sky. Along the trail, between the South and West Forks of the Gallatin River, hikers cross three bridges before reaching the waterfall.
The trailhead starts at a fork; head right to take the densely-forested Yellow Mules Trail.
It's a heavily trafficked trail, best used May to October.

Easy hike and well marked trail even in winter. Wore Sorels and didn't feel that snowshoes would have been helpful. Frozen falls were beautiful. Very little effort needed. A slight wind sent snow blowing out of the pines creating a snow like effect. The river was beautiful. Very little traffic on the winter day that I went.

This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls and area to hike. The trail was tranquil and pristine and a fairly easy hike. A must do when in the area.

Beautiful short hike. Nice place to take kids, have a picnic, or go for a little bike ride. There are a lot of people here though.

This is about 10 min from big sky resort. They have manicured /perfected the path. What a nice hike and a beautiful waterfall.

It's a little hike back, but well worth it!! The views are amazing. I think I smiled the entire walk!

Stunning scenery in the winter. Round trip easy 3 km with frozen waterfalls to view. Highly recommended

Great trail for a beginner. Who doesn't like a hike with a waterfall? It was raining on the day we went and somehow that made it even better.

This is a beautiful hike to the waterfall. We are not hikers and did fine with it. The path is well maintained and easy to walk on. Beautiful views the whole way. Definitely worth it!

Ousel Falls was easy to find and you don't need to spend a lot of time here. I would say if you give yourself one hour that would be fine. The dirt path is easy to locate - it is a downhill walk so remember you will be inclining uphill on the return. The falls itself is not a large waterfall but it was a nice walk to get there.

Nice walk to the falls. Well maintained trail to a pretty waterfall. You can go to the base of the falls and then climb another trail to go to the top of the falls. Both give you a great view. TIP: This is not a good place for strollers and small children may be a challenge as its a good hike until you get to the falls.

We were looking for something to do one morning during our downtime. This little hike was perfect. It does have some steep areas, but the trail is well maintained. The falls are beautiful with access to the top and bottom areas of the falls.

Great quick trail - took about an hour roundtrip. Not meant for the serious hiker. Lots of locals and people walking their dogs.

There’s a parking area which was busy but there was room for us. Pretty falls, easy walk, many families and dogs on leash. Many places to stop and dip your toes along the way. COVID-19 report: A busy trail with about 10% of people wearing masks on narrow trails.

This hike is stunning to take in falling snow. Well marked trail winds thru the woods and leads you to the beautiful frozen falls. Absolutely stunning. Easy for a 5 yr old and a 70 yr old. Dress warm and wear hiking/snow boots!

The number one - one hour hike in the area. Good parking. Great trail. Beautiful water. If you are more ambitious and have more time Beehive Basin should be your top choice.

Awesome family hike!

Well maintained. Lots of places to rest. Is mostly down for going in and mostly up going back.
Beautiful sights along the way and waterfalls at end.
Easy for my 8 & 11 year old to do.
Only down side: was lots of people.
Wear good shoes for the hiking of ups and dows

It was slippery so good traction shoes or poles would be beneficial. Moose were bedded down on 2 consecutive days less than 100 feet from the trail. The waterfall was pretty much frozen but the scenery was gorgeous

Great views and scenery for short hike. Even though rated as Easy has plenty of elevation change. Well maintained.

Love this walk/hike. Great sights and sounds. Trail is well-maintained. Just enough up and down to get some exercise. Parking lot and trailhead are close to town.

Even with two bad knees I was able to do this trail. Waterfall is pretty, not worth extra walk to the very top, enjoy the falls from the bottom. Trail is very well maintained, as my husband says, “it’s like a paved hiking trail”, plus there are several benches along the way to help you as you traverse the inclines.

It was my first time in Montana and I can’t recommend this trail enough. It was very well organized and fairly easy to get through and everywhere you look was a gorgeous view. If you ever have a opportunity make it a point to try this trail out. You will not be not be disappointed

For most people this will be a pretty easy hike of less than a 1 mile each way. The biggest challenge is that it can be slippery in spots. When frozen, you can walk right up to the waterfalls. Very picturesque. With proper climbing gear you climb the falls, but that really does require the right equipment and knowledge. Bring your camera.

The trail was a great walk all family members plus kids enjoyed it.
Fabulous waterfall too
Paths were easy to use and follow

Beautiful well maintained trail with lots of side trails for those seeking the road less travelled. Heavily traffic including pets. Picked up others garbage and saw too much tree graffiti. Beware of hood rats on main trail. Main path is easy even for the inexperienced hiker.

We were able to hike this trail with added bonus of snow showers which totally made the journey more enchanting. The easy even on snow 1.6 miles round trip had a few switch backs and some mild up and down hills. The fall almost frozen are beautiful

Definitely read other reviews. Trail is wide & smooth enough for a stroller. Many call it "easy," but remember you are at altitude. So if you're not acclimated, take it easy with the many "ups & downs." Adequate parking & clean portable restroom. We carried bear-spray. This is a well-traveled trail.

Easy, beautiful hike. Pretty falls. Kids loved it. I would recommend this hike for all ages. There were enough people that I didn't worry about bears

Stroller friendly but still moderate challenge for us Floridian flatlanders. Well worth the 1.2 mile loop to the falls and back. Popular spot and understandably so! All
Level walkers, kids, dog friendly, bikers on this well traveled hike. Bridges to cross, shade, wildflowers, abound on this delightful walk. Our family loved it. Kids waded in the water, skippped rocks and enjoyed the Big Sky scenery. We brought a picnic lunch to enjoy. Highly recommend.

Not the easiest 1 mile but not that hard either. There is a lot of up and down but the trail is well maintained and our 3 year old grandson never complained.
The falls are beautiful. I was amazed that there was still this much water flowing at the end of the summer.
We took a family photo in front.
I went back a second time. I found a spot down river where I could view the right side of the falls, then a 2' fall and then a 4' fall. Beautiful spot.
There are picnic tables there.
There is OZ bench that is a perfect viewing spot.
Bring water and stay awhile.
There are bothrooms at the trailhead but nothing after that.
PS, since I had time I tried the mule trail. Goes up high along the river and on top of the falls. Very hard to see anything, too many trees.
The other trail was closed, because of animals? Sounded interesting but I follow rules.

A beautiful walk, a beautiful waterfall, a must see in Big Sky. Some people turn away from this gem because there is about a 1.3 mile walk to get to the falls...and that is up and down a path that skirts along the river. I know this can be a bit difficult at 5800 feet, but if you take a walking stick and take your time, it is so worth the effort. Take water...even though you are surrounded by it the whole time, you will want to stay hydrated.

Super easy hike. Pretty hike w a few fun bridges to cross. Rewarded with a pretty waterfall at the end. Christmas picture!

great trail and pretty easy. Down to the falls is very icey ( I did not go down but my husband 13 & 6 year old with help went down) very pretty area and very popular

Beautiful short hike to a great waterfall! Lots of ups and downs, but beautifully maintained and bridges are fantastic. Cute picnic area was flooded due to excessive water from snow melt, but would be a great picnic spot. Overall I highly recommend!

The Ousel Falls Trail is a short 1.8 mile mostly paved hike on the outskirts of Big Sky Village in Montana. The hike is pretty and features a path that meanders along a stream ending at the Ousel Falls. Having seen some large waterfalls prior to this hike, the falls themselves were a little underwhelming. But the hike was still enjoyable and worth doing. It is easily accessible and can be done by people of virtually any ability level. Its location near Big Sky makes it very accessible and easy to get to.

On the whole, I recommend hiking out to Ousel Falls for anyone who just enjoys going on peaceful walks or just being outside. There are some picnic benches available for those who want to enjoy a meal out in nature.

A bit strenuous if you're not in good shape, but plenty of well-placed benches along the way to catch your breath if you need to. Gorgeous waterfalls along the way, with a big finale. Very scenic.

Nice, well-maintained trail, bridges and picnic areas. Several people were pushing strollers although some areas were a little steep. We had no problems with our small dog and older parents. Several benches along the way to stop and rest. My 75 year old mother/couch potato who has had a knee replacement did fine walking slow and taking breaks when needed. Plenty of parking and a restroom at the trailhead. Limited cell service along the trail, obviously. The falls were beautiful. Nice views of scenery over the entire trail.

Excellent trail and is easy hiking for everyone and all ages. Took our entire family of adults and grandchildren and we all enjoyed it.

Well worth the hike. This was a great hike and the falls were amazing. We had younger children and they did great

Short, fun hike you could take with the family. A lot of fun. The waterfall is stunning. This is a must do in Big Sky. People were 50/50 on wearing masks in crowded areas.

We went in December and it was gorgeous!!! The trail was easy even though it had snowed. It was well traveled. The falls mid-way were frozen over with icicles hanging from them - climbers on them! You could walk behind them as if you were walking behind a frozen waterfall...beautiful! The end fall was gorgeous. It was frozen over, yet you could see water still falling behind the frozen part. Such a wonderful hike. Not strenuous. Definitely worth it!

I hiked recently (in November) with a fresh layer of snow, and the views and scenery were beautiful! Wide path, nice bridges, and a great payoff with the waterfall at the end! The trail is very dog friendly, and although there are some inclines and declines, it is suitable for all ages.

Highly recommend. Montana is such a gorgeous state! Wasn't too rough of a hike, the weather was lovely, not too many bugs.

My wife and I decided to walk Ousel Falls this morning to start the day. I highly recommend this hike. It is less than 2 miles round trip with lots of great photo opportunities.

My 25 minute hike to the falls was worth my effort. The clearly marked path and the many benches along the way helped tremendously!

I would not call this a “fairly easy hike” but I am an “old baby boomer” so the ups and down were not easy.

The falls and scenery is beautiful.

This is a moderate hike with good scenery. Not terribly long, but enough hills to be a little workout - especially on the return trip (uphill). Very close to Big Sky, Definitely worth seeing.

Fantastic place
To go during a hot summer day. Crisp clean water. Jumping ledge. Little water falls. We had a blast and it was beautiful.

Great hike for all levels. Can be done by all age groups. Some parts are a little steep but you just go at your own pace and it is great. Very pretty.

Five us went rafting, ages 24-62, and all had a fantastic time! The water gets exciting but our guide helped us navigate through it. SO much fun! Highly recommend it!

Bring ski poles, shoes/boots with good traction, kids’ snow clothes. Fun little hike. We slipped around and the kids had a great time sliding down some of the inclines. Lots of picture opportunities! The icy path was starting to soften when we finished around noon.

Trail itself is not long. Good trail for families. There were longer trails available off of main trail. Very beautiful walk. If I were a local would come often.

The falls are about a mile from the parking lot. Trail is fairly easy and not very rocky. We were in and out in about an hour and even saw some mule deer on our way out. Very nice all around.

Just beautiful, great hike, close to Big sky resort. we went end of March to see frozen waterfalls. The vies are breathtaking. About 2 mile hike, we really enjoyed it.

beautiful views and stunning views of the falls. Definitely worth the hike and don't give up.. it was awesome

The falls are so mesmerizing. We learned two days later what an Ousel was (a bird). The trail was easy for our 7-year-old and 15-year-olds, and us oldster parents. Great picture opportunities abound, and even with many people on the trail you still feel like it is your own adventure. This is a must-do if you are in the area.

Well worth the time to get out to enjoy the weather and beautiful hike. We are always in awe of the sight of the frozen falls.

We always wear ice or shoe cleats to avoid slipping

My husband and I visited the falls on our next to last day in Big Sky. The parking lot for the trail is spacious, and the total round trip is less than 2 miles. The trail is well maintained and has incredible views of the river.

My husband and kids hiked this trail on our last night in Big Sky. What a beautiful hike it was. The waterfall was amazing and they got to see a mother moose and the baby while on the hike. It was a pretty easy hike as hikes go., There was a lot of ups and downs, but manageable for my 7 and 11 year olds. They are so happy they went on this hike.

Great to see so much water. A really good experience to see such a terrific setting. Can’t wait to come back

This was an easy hike through beautiful mountain scenery. The snow made for a gorgeous backdrop for our walk to the falls. The frozen falls are just beautiful! There is ample parking and the path is cleared even in winter. Would absolutely recommend this for anyone looking for a beautiful walk/hike while in Big Sky!

We walked the trail about mid-morning in May. The trail is mostly easy but can be a little strenuous for someone who isn't in great shape. While we were there we only saw a handful of people. The area had gotten rain in recent days so the falls were full. Beautiful scenery the whole way.

This hike is popular and crowded for Big Sky but very much worth the climb. The falls are really beautiful and the trail is very well marked. We hike it every year.

We stayed in this area 3 yrs ago and did not know about this hike. Glad I found it this time. Not an easy hike. Not exactly a hard hike. But helps if you are in shape. Really beautiful and worth it. You descend down pretty far, so you need to get back up. It’s a nice path and not a lot of steps.

Great setting with waterfalls and trees, not too steep, pet friendly although your dog will be exploring the sides of the trails.

We mistakenly thought the trail was ‘easy’ and began walking the 1 3/4 mile trail. We had a 22 year old three 50 somethings and an 86 year old. It’s a narrow crowded trail with a steep descent at First. Doesn’t take long to see the hike back is going to be a challenge. It’s beautiful once you reach the falls! We couldn’t believe it was an easy hike - come to find out we misread the info - it’s moderate. Be prepared for a workout if you’re not used to the elevation!

We hiked through with family who are 6, 10, 60 and also a pregnant woman. We enjoyed the walk and the scenery. It was generally easy with a few steep in lines.

Amazing trail with beautiful falls that you can see up close at the end. The trail is less than one mile, very scenic, and great for all ages. The falls are particularly spectacular as you can get up close to them and even dip your toes in the water.

Beautiful hike. Love the waterfall. Good hour hike. Not to bad as we are in our mid 50s. We enjoyed the views, the snow and the not to bad hike

The trail is vary well maintained. Although there are at least 3 significant elevation changes (more if you go to bottom and/or top of falls), they are not steep. Worth the visit.

This was truly an awesome walk / hike. Not hard. Not long. Very peaceful and beautiful. Vault toilets in the parking lot. Trailhead very close to Big Sky town center. Not overly crowded when we went around 9am on a Thursday.

The hike to the falls is well worth it. There are several places to stop along the way to enjoy the view and take pictures. Once you reach the falls you can actually walk down into them or just sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the falls.

Loved this hike to a gorgeous waterfall. It is short, easily walkable by almost any group and worth the time. Parking is available and this is a very popular trail, so that helps around Big Sky. My son brought his fly rod and was able to walk around some of the creek beds to get a couple trout, then release them. Add this one to your list!

This hike should be easy for most people. The path has good footing and mostly courses along the river with a couple of grand bridges on the way. When you reach the water fall, you can walk down to see it from below, view it directly across from you or get above it. This is a must see for the area

Ousel Falls Trail is a very short, yet beautiful and accessible trail and it is not uncommon to see families with young children and older folks walking this trail. It is not particularly taxing, but the views, as well as the falls are a great first taste of the beauty of Montana. It shouldn’t take more than an hour, Dogs must remain on leash, and there are some picnic tables up top. It is generally so well walked that the ever present threat of bears is almost non-existent.

This trail is pretty easy to complete and you can complete it in less than an hour. It's up-and-back. The rushing water and views are beautiful. This trail is quite busy with people, so if you are looking for a more secluded trail, this isn't it.

Beautiful scenery of the falls after a short hike. The trail was well maintained and had places to stop & rest. Just wish people were more respectful of nature & picked up their dog poop bags!

The hike is about 2 miles to get to the falls. It is very beautiful and worth a picture. We went when it was muddy and a little snow/ice on the ground. We saw bear tracks in the snow. I didn't realize that bear tracks with claws were Grizzly tracks. Glad I didn't know that at the time. We didn't have an encounter or any problem. There were lots of people going to and from the falls as well so we didn't feel too isolated.

This is a great trail to get your heart rate up a little and show friends and family a beautiful waterfall reward at the end of the .09 of a mile trail. Very well maintained trail, dog friendly and a fun place to take a little picnic as the hike it self isn’t strenuous or that long. Lots of benches along the way and beautiful bridges. Perfect little hike to start the day!

Great hike; beautiful scenery. Lots of photo ops. Plenty of places to rest if needed. Perfect length trail to the falls if you don't have a lot of time.

This hike was perfect for our teenagers and middle schoolers. The hardest part really was the hike back as usual. The falls were amazing and we were even able to catch a kayaker go down the river from the falls! Incredible

for the short easy hike, this is, the rewards are amazing! A must-see while visiting. The hike is less than a mile each way and the climb is easy to navigate. It is popular but very worth it.

Can be difficult during the winter season due to slippery conditions, but after the rainy season is an easy and beautiful trail for all hiking levels. The actual destination of the Falls is worth the walk.

This was a fairly easy hike that was shady and beautiful. There ae lots of spots to stop and enjoy the beautiful surroundings or take a photo. It's a well traveled trail.

Our family hiked to Ousel Falls in June of 2022 and enjoyed a breathtaking view. The trails are well maintained and safe. I have read reviews that indicated that they were friendly to strollers, but I was glad we elected to hike without one. It would have been safe enough, but not much fun to push. There are plenty of spots along the trail to stop for photographs or a break. Overall, we really enjoyed the experience.

My 2 year old twins and 5 year old daughter, with my wife and I hiked this trail to see the falls. It was my favorite of the 3 hikes we've done on this trip. Beautiful scenery. Got to stick out feet in at the top of the falls.

this is a good family hike... I would say 1.5 miles to the falls... some hills,.. but can be managed. along the river and at the falls, you can swim.. so bring your swim suit and a towel.

This trail is not too long, .8 miles from the trailhead, and not too strenuous. It's very well maintained and just beautiful. Other trails branch off from there if you want a longer hike. Lots of families with young children and older parents were on the trail.

Be sure and bring water. There are restrooms off the parking lot at the trailhead.

Easy, quick hike that leads to small waterfall. Very busy. Trail was slightly icy and slick in places.

This is a very pretty place in Big Sky, but then again I didn't see anything that wasn't pretty. You don't want to go here if you suffer from vertigo though. Some of the trail is narrow and no rail on the side of it. We saw a lady coming out from the trail with a puppy and 2 little boys....maybe around 5 and 6. I wouldn't recommend this trail with little kids.

This is a fairly short hike with not too much elevation to climb. I read on another site is was 1.6 miles each way, but it did not seem so, maybe roundtrip. The site claimed 225 feet in elevation gain which was likely fairly accurate. Well groomed and plenty wide trail with most of it right along the river made it cooling with plent to see along the way to the top. Many benchs along the trail to rest if needed as well. The falls were powerful and beautiful. I recommend this to anyone, kids included.

plenty of parking , easy access and safe for kids, enjoyable easy trek.Watch the little ones on the stairs.

This is a hike in a state park, featuring trails winding next to a beautiful stream with several waterfalls. The trails are easy. They let you get quite close to the stream and lead you past lovely bluffs set with wild flowers. And there are actually ousels there--thrush-like birds that dip or dive into the stream to eat goodies among the rocks.

I'd seen pictures of Ousel Falls, but after a major Montana winter, the force of Ousel Falls was AMAZING to see! There are three different paths to with varying views of the waterfall. Make sure you see them all. (And take TIME to sit and enjoy the peaceful setting at the base. It was worth every step to see! Very pretty and simple hike to get there... you do NOT want to miss this pretty scenery!!!

Some spots were a little steep, certainly not "easy" if people have difficulty walking up and down type trails, but for most people its doable.

Really enjoyed this hike. Not “easy” for this 58 year old but with frequent stops it was wonderful. A little bug spray helps keep annoying bugs away. Highly recommend.

A nice little hike to a small waterfall. Lots of deer flies in late July. Not spectacular, but a good way to kill an hour if needed. If you’re looking for a spectacular hike, do Beehive Basin. Plan to commit 4 hours to that, and it is a moderately strenuous hike.

My husband has cancer and uses a walker. The trail is wide enough for walkers, benches all along the way for resting. And, it is beautiful!!!! 1 1/2 mile round trip. Up and down but not steep.

Was a beautiful hike that wasn’t very challenging but just enough to get some exercise and see some beautiful scenery!

We really enjoyed this hike. It wasn't strenuous, not too crowded either. A great little waterfall at the end.

We did this hike after the Beehive Basin trail just to get our legs moving after dinner. It's fine, nothing too exciting and the falls are ok. But if you're in the area and either have kids or are looking for a short hike, this would be worth doing.

My husband and I walked this trail and found it exhilarating. We enjoyed the river flowing over the rocky areas, the plant life and the falls were beautiful.

Absolutely beautiful. Good trail but lots of elevation coming back. We stopped at trail head to hear ranger talk about safety (bears). Will go back again next summer

We went to this trail with a bunch of couples, some of which were a little older. The trail is packed and easy to traverse. We went towards the falls and got phenomenal pictures. I know that there is an area where bikers can ride on the trail, but we were not impacted by them. I strongly recommend this trail.

Wonderful trail. Easy but not all flat - can get a bit hilly. Very pretty water features throughout. Quite a few pups while we were there but all were leashed. Please pick up after your pup and keep them leashed in public! No garbage cans. Carry your garbage with you. Easy parking and free.

This is a wonderful way to spend a few hours. Make sure you bring a picnic lunch as there are some wonderful areas with picnic tables, one of which is right at the base of the falls. Path is easily traversed and gorgeous throughout. Falls are beautiful from above or below, hike to both for different points of view. Fun place to wade your bare feet in some really cold water!

This is a lovely trail where you can see a waterfall after a short hike. The trail is cool and shady in the summer, but it is sometimes on the cold side because of that shade. Also, the trail sometimes gets icy because of the cold and the fact that it is a very popular trail. It can be crowded.

In the Fall be very careful because bears are active in the area.

This trail to Oesel Falls is very well maintained. There are a few steep grades and lots of switchbacks but the river and the falls are beautiful! ❤️ It was not super busy in September so walk was very peaceful.

Family with 86yo to 8yo enjoyed the walk. Beautiful. Bring a picnic. Very close to town. Well marked and easy to find.

My sister and I took this hike on a beautiful day. The trail is well kept in most spots, but has hills and some areas where you need to watch where you are walking. The trail goes up, down, and around a river with falls at the end. On a nice day it was quite easy to walk and there was good scnery the entire way. There is free parking and toilet near the parking. We saw people with dogs and small children enjoying the hike. It is a reasonable length (something like 1.5 to 2.0 miles) and is good for most people who are in reasonably good shape, but not normally used to hiking.

After reviewing activities available in Big Sky, our group picked these falls as an activity for all ranges of physical fitness. Trip advisor reviews rated it easy, we are from Houston and are fairly active, this was not the experience we had at all. Perhaps it was the altitude change but it was more difficult than an easy hike. The fall and hike scenery were beautiful but consider the altitude if you are not from here.

Short hike but worth every step. Easy hike for all ages. Many places to stop and take photos. Dip your toes in the cool water for a refreshing break.

Perfect small little hike gorgeous falls so easy to get to. You can even play in the water under them!

This is a must do in Big Sky! The trail is moderate but not easy because of the hill side. There were a few in our group that had to stop a few times to catch their breath and take a break. The trail is not paved and hiking boots/shoes would be a better option than sneakers but not necessary.

One of the best short hikes you will ever take. Stop in the small village just before at the hungry Mossed and get sandwiches to go and bottled water. Carry a backpack for snacks and a lunch. There are picnic tables right by the falls. Plan on taking off your shoes and dipping your toes into the water. It's exquisite. Great place for photos and fun!

This is a very good hike if you have a shorter amount of time. There are mild inclines with plenty of flatter areas for a slower pace. It is mostly shaded by trees and the area is cooler. It is very picturesque and the falls are beautiful.

Quick. Easy. Beautiful. Great Trio and nice send off, as we headed to Bozeman airport. Picnic tables down by falls, too. Trail was wide, with steps , or path options at some steep places. Many visitors, with dogs, helped dimish our anxiety not having bear spray with us. A very nice little hike in Big Sky.

We had a great time, beautiful scenery. The walk was nice, trail was/is well manicured and the smells we beautiful.

We hiked this groomed trail twice during our visit. The trail is well groomed and is appropriate for anyone! .8 miles in and .8 miles out. Trail is up and down hill. Being from Ohio - it was much easier the second day!

Excellent trail for novice hiker still getting used to altitude! Very enjoyable and fun rock finds too! Wish we brought snacks to stay longer!

We took our 4 year old and 1 year old on this hike the last day of our trip to Big Sky and I’m so happy we did. The whole hike is scenic and was easy enough to complete with the 1 year old in my front pack. The falls are truly stunning.

Easy hike, well maintained trails, in and out in about 40 minutes. Well with it with beautiful scenery and the falls are spectacular.

Beautiful scenery! Didn't break a sweat. Lots of places with benches and tables to stop for a picnic so bring a snack/lunch if you like. Lovely falls! Well worth going out of your way. In and out in an hour.

Record rainfall in the Yellowstone area, means that the rivers are faster and more dangerous....but beautiful! Went to Ousel Falls twice during our visit. Once with half the family and then again with all 9 of us. The river was powerful! It had just rained and the trails were a little slippery, but absolutely worth it. It's a quick hike and well maintained, so the whole family will love it. Had to look at photos online to see what it would look like (normally). Water was ice cold. Good Job, Montana

This trail was full of adventure, rushing water, mist and rainbows from the sun shinning through the mist of the falls! All of us on the trip enjoyed this great alternative to a closed Yellowstone National Park!

We timed it perfectly between rain storms. Groomed trails. Lots of places to stop and appreciate nature. Several levels of falls to view.

A smooth path, with benches to rest along the way. The Falls were beautiful. Close to Town Center in Big Sky. Great for children.

If you are in Big Sky and looking to take a walk with nature, Ousel Falls trail couldn't be more convenient. It is well marked and not overly challenging. We saw many families with small children and older couples. Dogs are welcome too! Be warned, there is a bit of elevation change in both directions, but most people should not have an issue. We didn't do a picnic, but it would be a great place. It is probably about 1 mile each way, so it's a great way to squeeze into an open afternoon.

The hike is 0.8 miles one way, and there is some elevation change involved but it is not challenging for most people in reasonable shape. The waterfall itself is beautiful, but there are plenty of places along the way where you get fantastic views of the river and surrounding canyon walls. We took our kids 12 and 7 and they loved it - there are some shallow parts too where you can stand in the river well below the falls if you like. Definitely worth doing for anyone.

Great hike with awesome scenery! Family friendly! There are a few climbs but easy and plenty of spots if someone needs to along the way

I love going on a hike that has a key sight to see, like a waterfall - and Ousel Falls delivered! There are a number of switchbacks and pavement that make this an easier hike to navigate. It was also the first time I was able to go to the top of a fall, just beautiful to see.

This trail was recommended to us by one of the store owners as an easy hike that did not require any equipment other than good snow boots. I would not have described it as easy, the trail was rather slippery for the majority of the hike. At one point people were sitting on their butts and sliding down rather than trying to walk. I don't think snowshoes were necessary, but walking poles would have been beneficial. It was still a fun hike and the waterfall peeping through the frozen exterior was unique. I would recommend this trail to people looking for a short hike with a little bit of adventure.

We hiked with seven adults and seven kids. One kid was a baby that we carried in a pack. This hike is relatively short. This hike was extremely accommodating for this group and the views were amazing. Early in the spring the run off at the Falls is something to behold. This hike is definitely worth your time.

Quick and easy trip in and out with multiple locations to view the river. Small amounts of snow on 5/26 but you only need light layers.

We saved this for our last full day in Montana. We loved it! It was one of our favorite things we did. My girls (ages 7 and 8) loved it and found the falls amazing. The path is very well maintained and there are lots of places to rest along the way. We saw people of all ages and fitness levels on this trail.

Beautiful falls frozen in time. My phone froze too so wasn't able to get the up-close shots but beautiful experience. It took @ 1 hour round trip, so easy to do.

Lovely easy hike for all ages. We loved walking along taking our time, and going down by the river. Mostly shaded.

Nice and easy hike for all ages. The falls are totally worth it! The trails are nicely maintained and there is good parking.

This was a great little family hike. The waterfalls are lovely and you can also walk down along the creek. Recommend getting there in the morning; much more crowded in the afternoon.

This hike was stunning. Easy hike clean well maintained trail. Enjoyed the scenery and sound of water flowing. We took this hike in the morning before rafting.

Fantastic in the winter! Numerous spots to stop for pictures or gaze at creek and rock walls. Part of the falls had thawed and the water was gushing from behind and flowing under sheets of ice. Beautiful!

What a great hike for the family! I felt that it was good for all ages. My grandson is 9 and the rest of my party were all in their 70s. We are in good shape and came prepared with water bottles .
Because we were going white water rafting that afternoon,we really hiked the trail very quickly.It took about an hour to go up & back & take pictures and short rest stops. There were some steep parts going both up & down which made it a little challenging & fun 👍
The Falls were beautiful & the trail was cool & refreshing on a hot day...

Short but beautiful hike to Ousel Falls! Take your bear spray and enjoy the gorgeous views. Great hike for novice hikers- just a short walk from town center.

Went to Big Sky for a wedding and stayed in the Rustic Rainbow on the Gallatin River. The location was perfect with panoramic views of Lone Star and other mountains. Skiing venue in the winter and rainbow trout in the summer. Just a short drive to West Yellowstone to the south and Bozeman to the north though the picturesque Gallatin River canyon

Such a beautiful amazing trail and scenery! Stunning views for the entire trail, with excellent spots for pics! Very easy to access with parking and bathrooms.

Not difficult at all and a very nice trail, but does have some hill so I wouldn’t call it easy. My boys loved watching a few guys fly fish just below the falls, they were catching fish!

Beautiful day! And highly recommended if you’re in the area.

Totally worth the short hike, really cool when frozen over. Great place to take amazing pictures with friends and family. Well maintained.

Short hike through forest down to a pretty waterfall. We walked this right after a thunderstorm so there was nobody there. Definitely one to hit early.

This was one of the most beautiful walks we have ever been on. A lot of up and down but the falls are very worth it. Trail is well maintained and clear. Water is gorgeous ❗️
We saw a lot of folks in their 70s doing it. So , not hard. My wife and I highly recommend it.

Nice, easy 1 mile hike along the creek. Beautiful views, and great picture opportunities. Well maintained trail

Easy walk to an outstanding view of a magnificent waterfall. The trail was well maintained. A hidden gem!

It is about 1.5 mile walk from the parking lot. There are many benches along the trail to just rest and enjoy the view. The falls themselves are beautiful. The trail is very clean and easy to follow.

Only about a two mile hike. It had resting spaces for children and those who needed it. Beautiful scenery and a picnic spot once you reach the top of the falls. Beautiful and well worth your time.

A 50 degree day, jackets needed in the shade, a few spots with ice, and still a lot of snow, but absolutely beautiful! The hike is easy with a few inclines. Once you make it to the falls, the scene is breath taking!

Nice walk for kids and adults of all ages. Changing scenery, hear the sound of the river the entire walk. Beautiful falls!

We walked down to the falls. It was September and the weather was still warm so there were a lot of people on the trail. A lot of people walking their dogs. There are picnic tables down by the falls but make sure you take your food and trash with you so bears aren't attracted to the area. The falls are beautiful and its an easy hike for families with members of all ages.

Nice easy hike during the a winter visit to Big Sky Ski resort. The frozen falls were very cool for the low effort.

This trail was not super long to get to the waterfall and was absolutely gorgeous!! Definitely would recommend this trail

This is a .8 mile hike (1.6 miles roundtrip) to a beautiful waterfall. There are definitely some small hills involved, but the route is quite shady and well maintained. In the late afternoon there were a few other hikers, but it was not at all crowded. I would definitely recommend it after adjusting to the altitude.

Absolutely stunning! The trail is wide and smooth to the bottom of Falls. If you suffer from altitude sickness - the hike is strenuous due to the elevation. A couple was taking wedding pictures at the bottom of these falls.

This was an easy trail to complete with kids. We had 12 people in our group, with 3 kids under the age of 7. There are plenty of photo friendly areas providing great scenery.

Ousel Falls is 0.8 miles from the parking lots. It is a beautiful, easy walking path. The river can be seen throughout most of the walk. Unfortunately we were only able to make it to the 0.3 mile marker due to snow on the trail. Would suggest making plans to see it more toward the middle of May when the snow is hopefully melted so you can make it all the way to the falls.

This was such a great family hike. We have 6 kids from 4 to 13 and they could all easily do it and really enjoyed the hike. Plenty of rest stops along the way.

Nice hike. Ups and downs, in and out. Shaded. Plenty of people but that's what you get at a tourist destination.

Great hike, not too far and great trails. Beautiful area and falls! Google maps brings you farther than the parking lot so look for the park sign.

This is a well traveled hike with plenty of parking, facilities, picnic tables. Great for families with young kids or someone who can't walk too far.

This a very easy, beautiful hike to take. The fall is not very high, but still beautiful. Kids could easily go along on this one. Worth the time.

This is an easy walk. Hike back to a lovely waterfall, People of all ages can make this trip. We saw young and old and many, many dogs. If you are worried about the walk, there are many benches along the way to rest and take in the beautiful scenery. There are also many picnic benches along the way. Enjoy the walk. Besides the trail to the falls, there are other trails to keep it interesting.

We spent our last day of a 2 week trip in Big Sky, MT and loved hiking this trail. It was an easy hike and what a reward at the end! The water was cold but we loved dipping our toes in the water! A must-do if you are in the Big Sky area.

Ousel Falls is easily accessible from the base of Big Sky. The parking was a little tight when we went but not that big of an issue. Overall the trail was a great and not very difficult. The falls at the end of the trail were beautiful and well worth the hike!

so glad we did this. it is popular, but we understand why. very easy to navigate, and just beautiful scenery!

A great short hike with a nice view at the falls! The rainy day did not stop us b/c it was easy and a nice trial.

this was a short but fun hike to the water falls. It was nice and brisk in the august morning. trails/paths were well maintained

Beautiful hike crossing and wandering along a fork of the Gallatin river and then ending at a tall waterfall. Good for children. Go early as the trail gets very crowded later in the day.

Great place to stop, especially on way from Bozeman to West Yellowstone. The falls themselves were nice, but nothing exceptional. The trail is beautiful start to finish. Glad I stopped.

Easy hike for family with young kids. It wasn't very crowded for hiking. Must see waterfall. Easy to get to

There are so many beautiful trails and hikes around Big Sky, it is difficult to not find one with beautiful flowers, wildlife, and views. Ousel Falls is only two miles of the main road from the Village, and is only a 1.5-mile round trip with no strenuous demands. The entire family can enjoy the trail, with two bridges over a beautiful stream that the trail follows to the falls. The trail provides the opportunity to hike an addition 100 meters to above the falls and down a staircase to the base of the falls, with picnic tables and several areas to relax and enjoy the nature around you.
Beware, the deer flies are bountiful and aggressive! If you are not familiar with them, they look like large flies but have a very painful bite (yes, bite! They have mandibles that bite into you.)
There are several additional trails that intersect with the main trail. One allows you to walk along the stream back to the first bridge and out. If you continue across that intersection, onto Ralph's Trail you can walk along the stream and through gorgeous meadows and ridges. After about 500 meters you will be entering private property. The owner is gracious enough to permit nature lovers onto his land with the caveat to remain on the trail and to keep dogs on leashes--even providing loaner leashes on a stand at the entrance to the property.
Ousel Falls trail is a great trail for both experienced hikers and the urbanite who just wants to enjoy nature. The first several hundred meters is a continuous descent to the stream from the parking lot, so you must ascend the hill to return, but it is worth it.
You might be disappointed if you are a world traveler or avid hiker, but you would be missing the point of the simply access to the beauties of the nature and world around you.
Fortunately, the parking lot provides ample space, as the trail can get busy at times.

Thought I'd need bear spray but it is so well travelled you don't and it is pretty easy to walk to the Falls...the scenery is gorgeous. There is parking for a lot of people and it's easy to find. If in Big Sky you need to see these falls and the scenery around them, so worth it

Beautiful trail that is only 1.6 miles RT. The trail is well marked and people of all ages were on the trail.

The falls are so pretty! The trail is very well maintained. My advice is to wear suitable footwear—no flip flops, and take a rain poncho. Weather can change quickly. We got soaked in a sudden downpour coming back up the trail .

Even though the trail was largely snow covered, with a little care it was very manageable. A little downhill and uphill to the top of weasel falls. We spent 1 1/2 hrs from start to finish and enjoyed conservations with locals long the way. Very pretty short hike.

This was so beautiful, we have a great time waking the trail. Wear good tennis shoes. There are nice benches along the way if you need to rest.

Gorgeous hike! To get to Ousel Falls, the path was clear and scenery was beautiful. It had a few steep grades and I would classify it as being not an easy hike, but semi-medium difficulty.

Beautiful!! Well worth the short hike. Only draw back was that it rained. Still enjoyed it. The hike is one and one-half miles long round trip. Can make it longer by choosing other trails.

Hiked Ousel Falls trail on two different days, we enjoyed the layout and its about a mile back to Falls. The river scenery is fantastic and the Falls can be enjoyed from a distance or can take a trail straight to falls. Please note: the trail is considered as "easy" but realize the trail is easy to walk on (wide and hard packed surface), but still have to decent to bottom towards river and back up to top of the hill. If you have heart issues/leg issues, I would advise to expect a long uphill walking that can be exhausting for those not in shape. Also, a few places have picnic tables.

We did this hike with our 6 year old. He did it without any issues. This hike is very easy and is just outside of the Town Center. Beautiful, well worth the trip.

My husband and I did this hike early morning as we left Big Sky for the airport in Bozeman - perfect last hike to enjoy. Loved following the well-groomed trail to the falls, the sunlight between the trees, mountain air... pure joy! Don’t miss this trail.

Great time! We went behind the falls. Lovely hike. Our guide from Big Sky Adventures was the best. She added a lot of history and a snack on the tour

Well worth the hike in, loved it! We went to the bottom of the falls as well as the top of the falls. Looks different from those angles.

We had a wonderful time hiking the trail to Ousel Falls. It is somewhat strenuous, but totally worth it.

It’s an easy hike from the town to the waterfall took it to chew up some time since I had a day to spend in the town during the shoulder season. The hike is on a dirt path even though I saw one hiker with bear spray I doubt it was necessary saw a mixture of locals and tourist doing the walk. Might be best to get a bottle of water in town before doing the hike since I did it in the morning I was not sweating.

Beautiful easy hike with shaded and sunny spots. There are many little pools and cascades that kids and adults can play in. The path is narrow 2 people walking shoulder to shoulder at some spots. There are benches and picnic tables along the hike and near the water so you could bring a picnic lunch and let the kids play in the water all day.

The falls is beautiful and worth the hike. Our granddaughter made it up and back with no problem. The altitude is shown at trailhead as 6675 and you gain another 400 feet on the hike to the falls. If you have problems with that altitude you should acclimate to the altitude before trying the hike. It was a fun little hike and was busy with families when we were there.

This is a very well kept trail. The trail is not very long and looks more like a park path than a hiking trail. There are a few ups and downs, but the waterfall is well worth the trek.

Anyone in your group should be able to make this easy hike along a well groomed trail. Close to the Meadow Village and well worth the trip

Easy hike with several stops to go down to the water before arriving to the big falls. Very beautiful waterfall. Highly recommend if you are in the Big Sky area

Short hike to see the falls. Some mild steeps. Follows the river with plenty of scenery. Good anytime of day. Up the street from the downtown

This is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever been on. Beautiful, tranquil, with well developed trails.

If staying anywhere near Big Sky, look no further than Ousel Falls to break up your Yellowstone excursions! Beautiful falls and lots of places to sick and eat a packed lunch.

I was a lovely day to hike to the falls and we enjoyed it. One of the reviews I had read before going was that it was "stroller friendly". Whilte I am sure that it is possible to push a stroller the entire round trip, it sure would take it out of you.

Also, there are some areas where it seems like sheer drops on the sides of the trails. They made me nervous with the children playing around while on the trail.

Just a fancy sidewalk with a little waterfall at the end.kida anti climax. Unless you are at high water, or when the waterfall is thawing in the spring

My husband and I visited this lovely spot after a wrangler at the ranch we were visiting recommended it. It was a gorgeous day, and the hike was very doable, even for us ( we are not avid hikers!). Worth the visit!

Beautiful area for a short hike close to town with a beautiful waterfall. Easy to moderate hike depending on fitness level as there are steep areas and multiple elevation changes. Busy trail so no concerns regarding bears, although I always carry bear spray when hiking in Montana. Many areas to stop for pictures and benches to rest on. My kids (11, 10, 7,) really enjoyed the trail. Well maintained. Worth a hour or two walk for sure.

We were traveling with our 8, 10 & 12 year old and looking for a fun hike. Ousel Falls was an absolute hit with the kids with a clear purpose - to see the waterfall - and there is path down to it where you can sit and take in Montana's beauty. The trails are well groomed, shaded for most of the way and incredibly scenic. It was the right level of rigor - not too strenuous but enough to make it feel like you were on a hike. I highly recommend this activity.

This was a fairly short and easy hike with not too many ups and downs. Good walkable trail. It's accessible and the parking lot is plenty large. We didn't see any ousels, but that doesn't mean they aren't there.

Go. Do it. Great hike. I’m sure it’s even more wonderful in the summer. We enjoyed this even though parts were muddy and slippery at end of snow season. Would go here a lot if I lived in Big Sky.

An easy hike with some incline. No snow shoes needed in the winter. The waterfalls are breathtaking when frozen!

Ousel falls is a easy beautiful trail. It has a gradual steep incline in some areas so if you have difficulty walking make sure you wear sturdy shoes or sneakers. We didn’t swim in the water since it was too cold. There’s a cute little stream at the beginning of the trail that kids can put their feet in. There are various picnic benches along the way.

Less than a mile from the trailhead at the park to the falls. Well groomed trail is all downhill to the falls, so the march back up is aerobic, especially on the first day at altitude. There is a 2 mile flat trail from the town to make this a 5.6 mile out and back if you need a bit longer walk.

This beautiful waterfall is literally in Big Sky’s backyard. It does involve a hike of about a mile but it is well worth it.

A 1.5 mile winding downhill trail with hard packed snow with no rails. Takes about 20 down. With Small bridges and benches to stop and rest, The views are unbelievable! I would suggest crampons and a walking stick, areas on trail can be icy and with no rails near extremely high and narrow passages it can be scary. The end of the trail was awesome with views of a blue frozen waterfall. Even saw some rick climbers trying to climb it.

Worth the drive from Bozeman! Hyalite Canyon was impossible to drive through, so we decided to try Ousel Falls. I don’t hike much, and the air is thinner than it is at my home, so this hike was perfect for me. Snow was packed down enough for me to hike with just my Brooks tennis shoes. This would be ok for older kids. It took us 45 minutes to the falls and back, even with a couple of stops for me to catch my breath. It was a perfect post-Christmas-food-binge hike.

My son and I did this hike just before dusk. It was just the right length and beautiful, but due to the weather, there were several sections that were very slippery.

OK, the 0.75 mile trail and the view of Ousel Falls was a great Big Sky activity just a couple miles south of the village. However...Mesa Falls about an hour drive to the south near Ashton Idaho is 10x larger and 5x higher. Impress the other tourists with your knowledge !

It is a fairly easy hike through the beautiful woods near Big Sky. The weather was perfect on a late August afternoon. The falls are just magnificent. The trail follows the gentle stream from the falls for much of the way and there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the serenity of God's creation. Just one bit of advice. From the map by the parking lot, head to the right. Left leads back to town. That too is a beautiful trail just the same. (Yes, we did that.)

This was a beautiful and relatively easy hike for our entire family of five (two parents and kids ages 22, 19 and 13).

Go early as is popular hike for great reasons: easy, occasional benches to sit and enjoy the peace and serenity (if you go early), wildflowers and lots of shade, picnic table by the biggest falls - go past them to see falls from the top

Very popular crowded trail with many people bikes and dogs
Lots of up and down mild to moderate grades
Lots of dog poop left on trail beware
Well maintained trail
Beautiful waterfall and river views
Only 1.5 miles roundtrip

We visited during the flooding time that ultimately closed yellowstone. This led to a tremendous view of the falls as the river was running much higher than normal. The lower viewing platform was inaccessible due to the increased overflow at the falls. Overall we traveled with a three year old, seven year old, and two over 60 year olds and all did this hike just fine.

We had a beautiful hike through Ousel Falls last week. Snowshoes are not necessary - they would hinder the experience in current conditions. That may change with the snow coming this week. We used Yaktrax and they were great. We saw several people with snow boots, sneakers etc without the yaks and they were falling and sliding so use something for traction. There are amazing ice formations, the water can be seen and heard rushing under the snow. Just a beautiful experience. A trip to the top of the waterfall is a must and we also did First Yellow Mule.

Fairly busy trails that are great for solo adventurer, couples, families, and don't forget Rover! Lots of well behaved doggies out today! The only concern is a need for more parking. As I left, a couple school buses full of kids were trying to figure out how to park and had to park off the side of the road. I took bear spray just to be safe, but the trails were so busy I didn't see any wildlife. Pretty flowers and beautiful trees, however!

We had a little bit of time before our flight out of Bozeman so we stopped at this highly rated trail. And, now we know why it is so highly rated. This is a lovely trail, especially in the winter. It can be a bit slick after a snowfall, so take care.

We stayed in the Big Sky area in early November, just after the area received over a foot of snow. The snow covered scenery as we hiked was beautiful! We passed 5 other groups during the hike, so it seemed well traveled even in the cold snowy weather. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a short and easy hike.

Quick trip to a beautiful waterfall. We took a couple of hours to do the 3 mile round trip hike. Trail is well marked, great condition, with several stops along the way for pictures or a rest.

We drove up to Big Sky and marveled at the mountains, and homes in the area. We were thrilled to find this park, with a 1.3 mile round trip hike. Up and down, but easy to walk. We followed an 82 year old couple who had been walking it for 40 years!!!

Very nice place to hike and soak in nature. The falls were gorgeous! The trail we went on had some flat areas but mostly up and down hills. Definitely worth the time to have a little family adventure.

This short hike was a bit of a disappointment. It was close to town and not very crowded in early October.

Beautiful easy hike in Big Sky. The trail is well marked and there are plenty of benches for rest stops. We stopped at several points for photos. The falls were impressive. Hold onto little ones at the top of the falls. The fall colors are vibrant right now. It took us 1.5 hours round trip because we took several stops.

Beautiful Scenery! Start early to avoid crowded trail!!!
Good for entire family. Fairly easy hike!!!

Pretty nice falls trail for the whole family, although Cherry Wonderdog pitied the parents who allowed their toddlers to ride their bikes down the path and needed help going back up. A few nice waterfall sites. Not the most amazing I’ve ever seen but certainly short and easy enough to be worth the trip.

Nice hike to some pretty falls. Winding path along the river on and off. The trail is about 1.6 miles each way. Very enjoyable relaxing area. This trail is a must if you are in the area.

This hike is only about 1 mile and the trail is gravel and very easy to traverse. Views along the way are good and the water fall is wonderful. Easy for all levels.

This was one of the best trails we have ever hiked. Round trip is only 1.5 miles and perfect for kids. You can play in the river as you hike the trail. It has several waterfalls and the main falls at the end is awesome. I am so glad I took the time to see out this trail during my stay at Big Sky because it made our stay there much more enjoyable

A must see when in Big Sky. If you can walk you can get there and you will be amazed at the frozen falls. If the river is frozen well, you can venture behind the falls (for a great picture) About 8/10ths of a mile to the falls

A pen easy but gorgeous hike to a wonderful waterfall. Highly recommend. Gorgeous place for photos. Easy enough we took my 81 yo MIL (although she is quite active and feisty)

We stopped here with our two children aged 7 and 9, and it was a great time for all of us. We were doing a long road trip, so it was a stop to break up our drive a little. Worked perfectly.

Really nice falls to visit. After about a 1.5 mi trail I got to see these beautiful falls. the trails is really pretty and comfortable to walk. It is a little up and down, but doable. Allow about 1 hour to visit these pretty falls.

I went on this trail in the summer and it was a great hike for the whole family! It was a very beautiful watterfnwith pleanty of picnic places. You also could go down to the stream if you were feeling very adventurous! It was a great trail for sure!

Loved it. Great trail. Nice place . Easy to find. Was pretty easy to get to. Well worth the walk. Very beautiful.

Our family of 12 which included a two-year-old took this hike one morning and truly enjoyed it. The walk was entertaining and the falls were outstanding. If we would’ve had time we would’ve gone in the afternoon just to enjoy it all again.

Great hiking, picnic tables and benches to stop at and take in the scenery or fish. It's a must see.

Nice easy trail. 8 year old and teens in the party. Lots of Wild flowers and a great waterfall at the end. We walked this trail on our 1st day while trying to acclimate to altitude and had no problem.

Do it! Only .08 mi. from the trail head. Well marked and maintained. Rewarding views of the falls. Incredible rock formations, beautiful foot bridge, tables for a picnic, and plenty of spots to rest along the way.

Nice hike for the entire family. Fun for kids and teens to take the stairs down to the bottom of the falls or to hike the extra trail around to the top of the falls. Bristol scenery the entire way!

This is a very doable hike for people of most ability levels. The hiking trail gradually gains elevation so it is comfortable for most people to do although there a few sections where the incline/decline is a bit steep. The trail is 1.6 miles roundtrip and culminates at Ousel Falls, which is a scenic waterfall with variety of vantage points to explore/view it. A nice activity to do for an hour or two. Suggestion: pack a lunch or snack and enjoy it at the picnic tables located near the falls.

This is a great family hike. The path is easy and well maintained. We tackled this one with a group that ranged in age from 18 to 75.

What a beautiful hike. Very easy. Only down side was public restroom was closed for the winter and the port-o-let was the worst I have ever seen. I didn’t use it. It just gave me an excuse to venture off the trail a little bit! Seriously, most beautiful to see with all the snow.

This trail is under 1 mile and you end up at a spectacular waterfall with swimming hole. Trail is easy with a few ups and downs. Trail head is right outside of Big Sky. Easy enough for young children.

Inclines can be tough if you’re not in shape but worth the effort—peaceful and ice formations are so cool

The walk to Ousel was a little longer than expected but doable. We saw many older people on the trail, so definitely doable for all ages! The falls are gorgeous this time of year with spring run off! Take a picnic!

Great place for a hike! Beautiful falls and a nice walking trail. We were glad we were able to visit this special spot! We hiked off the “main trails” for some extra time and it was well worth it!

Scenic hike with some incline which would be considered easy to slightly moderate. Lots of people on the trail. Worth seeing!

great hike! only about 1.6 miles from start to the waterfall viewpoint. a bit more if you wanted to hike to the base or top of the falls. switchbacks can get a bit steep making for a tough walk at times. otherwise very beautiful & would recommend !

For such a compact trail down into the waterfall and up again it offers more bang for your buck, absolutely stunning scenery and beauty at every vista. Our compliments to the trail keepers.

This is a great hike for the entire family. Not too long and a great payoff at the end. What a great way to spend a couple of hours. If you are looking for a short activity in Big Sky, add this to your list.

Walked the trail down to the bridge and falls with family while we waited for our horseback ride time slot. We played with rocks down by the bridge and enjoyed the great rock formations. Well maintained path.

We skied at Big Sky and tried this out for a day off. Its an easy hike, just make sure you have good shoes for trails. Beautiful views and the falls at the end are worth the trip.

Short walk with lots to see and a very nice waterfall at the end. Well worth the time and energy Easy to find and well marked trail

This is a classic Big Sky hike, easy for children, and scenic the entire way. It is being loved to death, with crowds visiting, and many people with dogs. Even though signs say that leashes are required, not all hikers are so considerate.

Nice walking trail to Ousel Falls that can be done in as little as 30 minutes round-trip, or your can spend an hour if you stop to take pictures and take in the views. In the winter the trail is packed-down snow, so be sure to wear boots or shoots with cleated or good griping soles - do not wear flat or smooth soled shoes or you will be sliding everywhere. Wear layers and some light gloves in the winter, as you can start working up a sweat if you keep moving along. A great little trail, a hidden gem.

This trail is good for families with kids who are looking for a short but scenic trail. A bit busy, but fun.

This is a must-do hike for us every summer. It is a very easy hike for the whole family on a super well-maintained trail. Pack some water and snacks and enjoy this short hike to a beautiful waterfall.

not too long of a hike from the parking lot to the falls. There are scenic overlooks at the top and bottom of the falls. The trail getting there is nice and well maintained.

Never seen it before in years of visits, it's beautiful and nice starter hike at elevation. Kids really enjoyed it.

Nice walk to the falls. Short. Only .8 miles from the parking lot but make sure you have good shoes/boots with good tread. It can be slippery.

Lovely short and easy hike with a great payoff at the end of the trail. The Falls are beautiful, and the up/down switchback trail getting there is so relaxing. Highly recommend this one!

This was a beautiful little hike through the woods on a nice trail to a pretty water fall. I think there were some picnic tables to have lunch, which is a great idea for next time.

Excellent way to get outdoors and in the woods for a couple hours.

The Ousel Falls Trail is a great hike. We were in town for a conference. It was a perfect length for a hike after class and before dining. Well marked and very scenic. We met families and hikers of all ages. Good break in the day.

The hike was a very easy hike and quick. The waterfall and beauty is just amazing. I could hike the trail everyday if I lived there. It was not that busy.