We love waterfalls in every season, but once a year, they freeze into icy sculptures. A frozen waterfall like this is something everyone should see once! If you can make the hike when it’s cold enough, it’s worth every step. Though the gate to the trailhead is closed in the winter, adding a bit of extra hike is never a problem. Beauty awaits!
Welcome to today’s snowy adventure, a hike out to the frozen Palisade Falls at the Hyalite Recreation Area.
Scottia Judkins/AllTrails While this is a gorgeous park year-round, there is something special that happens as soon as cool air hits the area.
The falls, usually cascading over the rock, start to freeze over.
Ben Hardill/Flickr Within a short time, the waterfall turns into an icy sculpture that changes every year to reflect the water flow when it started.
As long as the weather is good, you can visit this tall falls even when it’s all ice and snow.
rachel s/AllTrails When you get here, don’t be surprised if you come across some ice climbers scaling the waterfall. Once you see a person on the falls, you’ll understand just how large it really is.
The mile-long hike doesn’t take that long to traverse, but if it’s slick, you might need a good pair of Yaktrax or cross-country skis to get going on the snow-covered trail.
Blake Clawson/AllTrails
The best part of this hike is the all-season beauty. What is beautiful and cooling water in the warmer months is also a stunning frozen sculpture in the winter.
Willem Schott/AllTrails Don’t forget your camera!
Make sure you never leave anything out here on the trails when you visit. Keeping this beautiful area natural is a goal we should all have.
Stuart Keller/AllTrails Happy hiking!
If you’d like to check out the one-mile trail to the falls, visit the Palisade Falls page on AllTrails for a map, forecast, and more. As a heads up, during the worst weather conditions, the trail is subject to closure. It freezes earlier than you might expect, and during true winter weather, it isn’t always safe to traverse. Be prepared!
Scottia Judkins/AllTrails
While this is a gorgeous park year-round, there is something special that happens as soon as cool air hits the area.
Ben Hardill/Flickr
Within a short time, the waterfall turns into an icy sculpture that changes every year to reflect the water flow when it started.
rachel s/AllTrails
When you get here, don’t be surprised if you come across some ice climbers scaling the waterfall. Once you see a person on the falls, you’ll understand just how large it really is.
Blake Clawson/AllTrails
Willem Schott/AllTrails
Don’t forget your camera!
Stuart Keller/AllTrails
Happy hiking!
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Address: Palisade Falls, Montana 59047, USA
