Montana · Hiking · Near Emigrant

Grotto Falls

2.4 mi
round trip
252 ft
climb
7,132 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Grotto Falls open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name Grotto Falls, so check the source for the area it covers (16 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Bozeman Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Grotto Falls is an easy, accessible hike on gravel in the Bozeman Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana. It is about 2.4 miles long, with an elevation gain of 252 feet, and the route is an out-and-back that starts and ends at roughly 6,880 feet, peaking around 7,130 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is accessible. Bikes and horses are not allowed, so plan on walking. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station run about 78°F for highs and 41°F for lows, and the station sits a few hundred feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route may run slightly cooler. The Grotto Falls Trail and Hyalite Canyon Trail are both within a tenth of a mile, and the Hyalite Creek Trail is about half a mile away. Climbers will find Hyalite Canyon about 0.8 miles off.

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  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Grotto Falls

    Best months: July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      30° / 9°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 9°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 17°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      48° / 23°

      11 wet

    5. May

      58° / 30°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      67° / 36°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      78° / 41°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 39°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 33°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 25°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      37° / 16°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 9°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Sky 2wnw, MT, 21.2 mi away at 6,590 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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