Heading into the great Lewis and Clark National Forest for a few days? Lucky you!
Surrounded by creeks and perched within hiking distance of numerous waterfalls and trails, Double Falls offers a beautiful site and campground on the eastern edge of the national forest and Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.
This central Montana gem is just one of many fantastic routes throughout Lewis and Clark County, one of the nine original counties within greater Montana established in 1865.
Although originally considered Blackfeet and Salish territory, Double Falls is now managed by the forest service, sitting along the lush banks of Ford Creek and offering its own first-come, first-serve campsites.
While there are only four available sites, anyone can visit their accompanying falls just a few hundred yards above the primitive camping sites.
Since the falls are heavily forested, their shade provides respite from summertime heat and cool waters to dip your toes into.
Visiting Double Falls
Located within the greater Augusta area, we highly recommend visiting Double Falls at the tail end of June so that you can split your time between primitive camping and the American Legion Rodeo, an entertaining one-day rodeo that engages much of central Montana to its base.
But if you’re anything like us and the mountains are constantly calling, you can take faith knowing that Double Falls and its surrounding trails, falls, and campgrounds will get you back to your own internal center.
Let’s read on for more on our favorite hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding spots in the area – there are more than enough to go around. Yeehaw!
Double Falls, Lewis and Clark County Stats
- Size and Scope: Elevation 5322 feet
- Season: Year Round
- Hours: 24/7
- Number of Campsites: 4
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
Recreational Activities
We love hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding as much as the next Montanans, but there’s something really special about this magical area at the foot of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
Between the lakes and reservoirs to swim and fish at and the numerous trails to hike or trot around, Double Falls and its surrounding area offer a pause, some peace, and even better trout. What’s not to love?
Hiking & Biking
You surely won’t have an issue finding a great place to explore around here! Double Falls is a delight of its own, but we like to venture further north to Willow Creek Falls Trailhead and the South Fork Sun Trailhead.
We also really love the Mortimer Gulch Trailhead to the north, which offers incredibly scenic views and grounds to picnic at. To the south, you’ll hit the Smith Creek Trailhead and the Elk Creek Trailhead, so you’ll really have no shortage of places to adventure around.
For biking, we highly recommend the Falls Creek area, as well as anywhere along Benchmark Road. If your bike all the way to August, we recommend refilling your calorie tank with burgers and cold beers at the local hangout, Buckhorn Bar. It’s got great food and some of the friendliest locals you can find at the gateway to the national forest.
Swimming & Fishing
Can you swim in Double Falls? Sure, feel free to dip your toes in the cool water after a summertime hike up the trails, but we recommend going all in at the nearby Wood Lake up Benchmark Road.
Just grab those kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddle boards from your vehicle and launch them into this refreshing lake!
Fishing is also a popular sport at Wood Lake, due to its bountiful rainbow trout, west slope cutthroat trout, and white sucker. And given that these are clean Montana waters, we highly suggest making a trout dinner back at your site!
While we love the nearby Mills Wilderness Adventures for their epic horseback rides through the backcountry and hunting trips, they’ve also got a great fly fishing option along the White River. This is a small family business we want to continue to support!
Trailing even further west, we highly recommend floating in the Danaher River, although you’ll want to keep your eyes out for nearby beavers sharing the space! Other swimming and fishing spots to the east include the beautiful Nilan Reservoir and the Shoco Ranch. Enjoy!
Camping & Lodging
Looking for the most convenient campsite? The Double Falls Campground is your safest bet, offering four unique first-come, first-serve campsites right near the falls. But we’ll be honest – this is truly primitive camping with neither water access nor accessibility options, so it’s best for those who