Just 11 miles from the quaint and close-knit mountain town of Thompson Falls, the epic Graves Creek Falls in Sanders County provides a stunning hike for beginners and intermediate hikers alike. And we’ll be honest, it’s the perfect vehicle for a homemade pie reward at Thompson Falls’s Minnie Cafe.
This steep, gushing waterfall is one of our favorite ways to beat the summer heat with a shaded picnic and some trail mix, offering stunning views of the Lolo National Forest. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t warn you: it’s a long way down so don’t let your littles or pups get too close to the edge!
Originally utilized by the indigenous Kalispel tribe and pioneering Montanans, Graves Creek Falls is still relatively undiscovered and we’d like to keep it that way. As a mountainous arm of the Lolo National Forest, it’s surrounded by nearby epic peaks perfect for the more adventurous hiker: Graves Peak, Mt Headley, Cube Iron Mountain, and Vermilion Peak.
On its own, however, these falls offer refreshing mists and a small piece of the great Treasure State. Even better: parking at the trailhead is plentiful, although unfortunately, the trek to the falls isn’t necessarily ADA-accessible. Hopefully, that will change in the near future!
And by the way, don’t let your Google search fool you! There’s another Graves Creek Falls closer to Bigfork that we also love for its lush greenery and epic Jewel Basin sights, but today we’re here to discuss one of Sanders County’s most gorgeous landmarks.
Read on for more information on our favorite swimming, camping, lake jumping, fishing, and more.
Graves Creek Falls, Sanders County – A Complete Guide
From reservoirs to smaller creek bends to a night in your tent under the Milky Way at Thompson Falls State Park, the area surrounding Graves Creek Falls offers numerous recreational activities to choose from. Are you ready? Let’s get into it!
Graves Creek Falls, Sanders County Stats
- Size and Scope: 3,622 ft
- Season: Year Round
- Hours: 24/7
- Number of Campsites: None
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
Recreational Activities
As we mentioned at the top, we’ve got a lot of love for the gorgeous area surrounding the falls, offering millions of acres of hiking, biking, trout fishing, camping, swimming, and more.
Whether you’re cruising along the Clark Fork River in a kayak, enjoying an afternoon picnic along the Noxon Reservoir after a fishing expedition, or roasting marshmallows under the stars, there’s just something magical about Sanders County.
Read on for some of our favorite camping and fishing spots, as well as cabin rentals, lodges, and hotels around Graves Creek Falls, Montana!
Hiking & Biking
Since it’s surrounded by the Lolo National Forest, Graves Creek Falls offers numerous opportunities for hiking and biking – and you know we have favorites. If you’re looking for a real challenge, head around 30 miles west into Idaho and check out Simmons Peak.
It’s ideal for advanced hikers, so we can only recommend this Idaho treat for those with miles of hiking experience behind them.
Back in Montana, we like the Route of the Olympian in the Lolo National Forest because it’s wheelchair accessible, but our favorite hike – beyond the mountain peaks we discussed earlier – is Priscilla Peak which has an awesome cabin lookout built in 1929.
Following the old Northern Pacific Railway, we’ll always recommend the NorPac trail to fellow bikers. We love that it traverses through and connects different states with its nature and trails. Also check out the Big Spruce Creek Trail and the Wilkes Creek Trail near Thompson Falls, especially during fall’s changing colors.
Especially with Wilkes Creek, you might hit some brushy sections along your way, but it’s worth it for the reward at the end. We won’t spoil it for you!
Swimming & Fishing
If you’re a fan of fishing, we love the abundant bass and trout at the nearby Noxon Reservoir, as the reservoir is known to have an abundance of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and trout.
With over 6,100 acres of lake water at this west-central Montana beauty, you’re sure to find numerous access points to put a line in, although fishing from a boat provides the most successful runs here. (Ask us how we know!).
Into ice fishing in the colder winter months? Well, brave soul, you just may have success with northern pike and walleye out on the ice, perfect for a warming fish fry supper with some homemade dill tartar sauce.
And beyond fishing, you’ll find that Noxon is mighty popular during the summertime months for boating and swimming, although if we had to choose, we’d rather swim at the smaller Thompson Falls State Park after a night in our tent (It’s just as magical as it sounds!).
Still, if easy access is what you came to this corner of Montana for, Noxon Reservoir is king for kayaking, canoeing, and practicing your backstroke.
We’d recommend heading to the town of Trout Creek for the best access – just know that you may get a few fish bites on your toes if you find your way into the water! They’re just saying hi!
Of course, the big question is: can you swim at Graves Creek Falls? Honestly, we wouldn’t recommend it due to the height differentials, but luckily, there are