Ousel Falls is a 30-foot horsetail waterfall on the South Fork West Fork Gallatin River in Gallatin County, Montana, inside Ousel Falls Park on the south side of Big Sky. An easy 0.8-mile gravel trail leads to it from a trailhead in town, and the park is open year-round.
The falls
The river spreads into a single wide horsetail in a narrow canyon. Lidar data puts the drop at about 30 feet; earlier surveys listed 50 feet in two drops, and some published figures run higher. The trail offers viewpoints both below and above the falls.
Getting there
The Big Sky Community Organization, which owns and runs the park, directs visitors south from Big Sky Town Center on Ousel Falls Road for about 2 miles, then into the signed trailhead lot on the first left past Crown Butte Road. The lot can fill quickly in peak summer. The trail map lists 0.8 mile one way on improved gravel. The round trip is 1.6 miles with 400 feet of elevation gain; the broad path descends gently to the falls, rated easy, with bridges and groomed paths.
When to go
Spring and early summer snowmelt bring the strongest flow, and April to June is the peak season. In winter the falls freeze into ice pillars; the trail is ungroomed and icy then, and muddy and slippery during spring runoff. Stock animals are prohibited from April 1 to June 15.
On site
The park has overlooks, picnic areas and interpretive signs. Dogs are allowed on a leash. The rock near the falls is often wet and slippery. In a project report dated March 20, 2026, the park operator says it installed handrails and safety barriers along the trail, replanted trampled areas and closed several user-created paths, so stay on the main trail and behind the barriers.
History and name
The 29.5-acre park was acquired in 2003. The falls take their name from the water ouzel, also called the dipper, a bird that can still be heard along the trail. From the park, trails continue onto Custer Gallatin National Forest land via First and Second Yellow Mule and Ralph's Pass.
Nearby
Cedar Falls is about 8.6 miles away, Hoodoo Cascade about 10.9 miles and Pioneer Falls about 12.6 miles.
Distances are straight-line.