US Route 89 Roadside Diversion: Memorial Falls

If you are not looking for it, the turn off to the parking area for the Memorial Falls trail is easy to miss. It is located in the Kings Hill National Scenic Byway section of US Route 89 between White Sulphur Springs and Great Falls, Montana. Look for it on the east side of the road about a mile and a half south of Niehart.

The half-mile, well-maintained trail is through a narrow canyon leading to two waterfalls. The lichen-covered rocks along the trail are Niehart Quartzite, one of the hardest and oldest rocks found in the Rocky Mountains. The best time to hike the Memorial Falls trail is from early June to late September when flowers attract butterflies and the quiet hiker may spot a marmot or mule deer.

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The trail to the two Memorial Falls

Niehart Quartsite, one of the hardest and oldest rocks in the Rocky Mountains

The Main Falls is about .3 of a mile from the trailhead

The Upper Falls at the end of the trail is about half a mile from the trailhead

Along the stream are many beautiful small falls

Hike the trail in summer when wildflowers attract butterfiles

To learn more about the drive to Memorial Falls, go to the White Sulphur Springs to Great Falls Road Trip Guide on the US Route 89 Appreciation Society website.

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