Located along Geyser Creek in Cascade County, Castner Falls is a minor water feature that can be accessed as a roadside attraction.
Nestled in the corner of the intersection of Klock Road and Castner Falls Road, the landmark is worth the detour when traveling along Montana Highway 15 between Wolf Creek and Great Falls.
Castner Falls, Cascade County Stats
- Elevation: 3547 feet
- Latitude: 3047
- Longitude: -111.49696
- How to Get There: Visitors will follow backroads to Castner Falls Road by exiting Montana Highway 15 or US Route 89. The falls are at the end of the street where the road intersects with Klock Road.
Recreation Activities
Hiking
As a roadside attraction in the middle of the county, there aren’t many hiking trails leading to the falls.
Luckily, the site is located only a few miles south of Great Falls and offers easy access to several trailheads leading to other waterfalls along the Missouri River and in Sluice Boxes State Park
After visiting Castner Falls, visitors should venture to the River’s Edge Trail, where they can see the series of five waterfalls that have awarded Great Falls its name.
Fishing
As a tributary of the Missouri River, plenty of fishing opportunities are available in the region surrounding Castner Falls.
Potential Wranglers should head to the Dunes Fishing Access Site or Tower Rock State Park for the best fishing in the region.
In the Missouri River, wranglers can expect to catch a diverse selection of fish, including Catfish, Walleye, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Carp.
Trail Routes
As a roadside attraction, Castner Falls does not require a hike to reach. Luckily, plenty of other fantastic hiking trails in the region lead to different waterfalls and other natural landmarks.
The Rivers Edge Trail
Visitors to Castner Falls should pair their waterfall adventure with a hike along the River’s Edge Trail, which follows the Missouri River north of Great Falls and features five stunning waterfalls.
From the South Shore Trailhead, hikers will follow the path past the Black Eagle Falls, and the Rainbow Falls before crossing over the water to the river’s north shore. Continuing along Rainbow Dam Road, visitors will shortly arrive at Big Falls, a majestic waterfall that dwarfs Castner Falls in comparison.
Returning along the River’s Edge Trail, hikers will complete the 12.8-mile out and back hike in approximately four and a half hours.
While this section of the River’s Edge Trail does offer access to five phenomenal waterfalls, the path itself does continue on an additional 54 miles and offers plenty of further adventures through Cascade County.
Sluice Boxes Trail
Approximately 55 miles east of Castner Falls, Sluice Boxes State Park offers visitors a hiking trail leading them through the beautifully preserved countryside and several of its crackling creeks.
From the Upper Sluice Boxes State Park Trailhead, follow the 2.8-mile out and back hike as it follows Belt Creek to the south.
The trail immediately breaks into two paths, one following the creek and the other along the ridge line. It does not matter which route hikers take, as both trails meet further down the way.
When the two forked paths converge, the conjoining trail immediately passes through Belt Creek. Be prepared to get wet on the crossing, and don’t get too comfortable. There will be three additional crossings throughout the hike and on the return trip.
The trail features several diverging branches throughout the hike, but visitors to the park need only stay on the path following the creek as it cuts through the nearby canyon.
Upon reaching the trail’s end, visitors can enjoy the monumental views before heading back to the trailhead.