Ousel Falls is a gorgeous waterfall located in Southern Montana. If you find yourself in the area for summer adventures, this is worth a stop! It’s a relatively easy trail through the Big Sky mountains. Certainly a worthy addition to your Big Sky, Bozeman, or even Yellowstone trip! Whether you’re a chubby girl or not, here is my ultimate guide to hiking Ousel Falls.
Getting There
Ousel Falls is a very easy trail to access! Located only a few minute drive outside of Big Sky (and about an hour from Bozeman), it’s very easy so squeeze into a Montana morning or afternoon. The roads are smooth, large, and easy to navigate. Just keep an eye out for wildlife!
The trailhead can be a little tricky to find. I put it in my Google Maps and actually ended up somewhere completely different a few miles away. To help, here is an exact pin to the trailhead and parking lot. The lot isn’t huge and I can imagine will fill up quickly in peak seasons. I visited on a weekday in June and had no issues. However, I can imagine the peak season really picks up in July and August. If you’re planning to visit on a weekend in the summer, try to get there early. Otherwise, parking was a breeze, free, and right at the trailhead.
The Hike
The hike to Ousel Falls is a little less than a mile each way. While that doesn’t seem like far, I would recommend budgeting for about 1.5 – 2 hours for this hike. It is not a flat trail. The trail starts with a descent for about a quarter mile. After the initial decline, you’ll go through a period of flatness, only to be greeted by another incline before the falls. On the incline, there were a few times I needed to stop and catch my breath. The overall elevation gain is about 400 feet.
The trail itself is a packed dirt/gravel mix. It’s pretty easy to walk on, even on the inclines and declines. There are a couple spots where the trail splits into another one, but just follow the signs (like pictured above) and you’ll stay on the right path! You’ll venture along the West and South Forks of the Gallatin River and over three study bridges before arriving at the falls. It really is a great hike!
Plus- Sized Accommodations Along the Trail
I was very pleasantly surprised along the trail! As a plus-sized traveler, I always have a little pre-hike apprehension. Hoping there is enough room for me, a place for me to rest, and I won’t bring any unwanted attention to myself. I also worry about if I can physically do the hike. Will I get too out of breath? Will I have to turn back? Of course, we are all different and I cannot advise you whether this hike is suitable for you. However, I found it to be perfectly within my comfort level. Even the inclines weren’t bad. It felt good to get my blood pumping, and I took a rest when I needed. The path was very walkable and wide enough where you could have plenty of room to rest and let others pass.
I really appreciated how many benches and picnic tables there were along the trail. Fewer at the beginning, but they become more frequent once you start walking along the river. These are perfect for not just resting your breathing, but taking a break off your feet. Along the river, there are even a few benches with backs on them. This was a very lovely (and welcome) surprise!
When I hear “bridges” along a hike, I immediately get nervous. Even though I know they’re all tested to withstand thousands of pounds, and my chubby little body isn’t going to force it to collapse… it’s still a worry. However, the bridges on this trail are fixated and incredibly sturdy. No need for anxieties here!
At the Falls
Once you arrive at the falls (after about a quarter mile uphill with switchbacks), it’s time to enjoy! There are two main viewpoints: an upper and a lower. At the upper viewpoint, you’ll find even more picnic tables and a straight on view of the falls. It’s the perfect place to relax, have a snack, and take in the scenery. Pictured above is the rocky staircase (with a handrail) down to the lower viewpoint. Down there, you will only find tree stumps to sit on, but it’s super refreshing to relax and be sprayed by the mist.
I visited just days before the historic flooding in June 2022. You can already see from the photo the high water levels and how rough the falls were. This isn’t normally what they look like! They’re far less muddy and much more calm. While it hurts my heart to see what came from these floods (Yellowstone!), it was pretty cool to see so much water going over the falls so quickly. Gave me Niagara vibes.
In normal times, I was told the falls are calm enough to create a swimming pool. Hikers can dive in the hole and take a refreshing dip after their hike. Of course, that wasn’t an option when I visited, but an idea for another time. You could make an afternoon (or an entire day) out of that!
What to Wear
When I visited in early June 2022, the temperatures were starting to turn. If you plan to visit during a similar season, I’d recommend a pair of athletic or bike shorts, with a tee shirt, and sweatshirt overtop. This gives you versatility and ability to adapt to the weather. The entire hike is in the woods and is very shady, so it is significantly cooler. We’re also in the mountains, so temps are going to be lower naturally!
You will also want to wear a pair of sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes. While the trail is pretty packed and paved, you’ll want something with a good grip during the inclines and declines. I was just fine in my Asics sneakers, but if you want to wear something more durable, it can only help. If you plan to swim at the falls, make sure to pack your bathing suit and water shoes or flip flops to wear near the water.
What to Pack
I’d recommend bringing a light, but sturdy backpack with you on the hike. There are bathrooms at the trailhead, but I am not sure if there was running water. Err on the side of caution and bring your own pre-filled water bottle and a snack. If you wanted to take some time at the falls, consider packing a light picnic!
The trees are pretty dense so there isn’t much room for sunlight. You can lather up with sunscreen if you’d like, but I wouldn’t say it’s totally necessary. If you have bug spray, it’s definitely worth a few sprays on any exposed skin. Don’t forget that this is also bear country! If you have bear spray, bring it. If you’re hiking solo like I did, also consider wearing a bell or something that makes noise as you’re walking. I didn’t have either, so I played music on my phone. If you’re with others, try to keep talking or making noise as you walk to warn bears that you’re around.
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