Porcupine Falls
Summary
This one-mile round trip hike to a waterfall is located east of Lovell in the Bighorn National Forest. From the parking area, the trail drops 440 feet in half a mile, but the beauty of the waterfall makes the climb back out well worth it.
Intro
Most trailheads in the Bighorns have the sound of silence as soon as you step out of the car. At the Porcupine Falls trailhead, there is a dramatic roar of rushing water from somewhere far below in the trees. From the kiosk in the parking area, the trail starts immediately down into the forest. Well-placed stairs and switchbacks make the descent fun and easy. The waterfall comes into view on the left at mile 0.3, and after one more bend in the trail, the view opens up completely and the trail leads down to the water. A sandy beach with a wooden bench marks the end of the trail. Hikers are free to roam the shores of the creek and explore the edges of the rocky bowl formed by the waterfall. When it is time to head back to the car, the climb back up the trail can be strenuous. But with only a half mile of climbing, it’s possible to take plenty of breaks and still reach the parking area within about 30 minutes. On the way back up, watch for adorable chipmunks as they scurry among the wildflowers beside the trail.
What Makes It Great
The waterfall is part of Porcupine Creek, which has its headwaters high above the falls near Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark. The entire Medicine Mountain area has been an important Native American cultural center for at least 7,000 years. From the falls, Porcupine Creek continues northeast, out of the mountains, all the way to the Bighorn River, and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean. During spring run-off, Porcupine Falls is actually a double waterfall, with a second cascade coming directly out of an opening in the rock face.
Who is Going to Love It
The hike is short and suitable for most levels of hikers. Families will love the views from the bottom, where there are many spots to sit and enjoy lunch. Brave swimmers can wade into the turbulent pool formed below the waterfall. The water is cool but refreshing. Also, science has shown that just watching a waterfall can relieve stress and make people feel happy. For anyone needing to de-stress, a relaxing break at Porcupine Falls may be the perfect remedy.
Directions, Parking & Regulations
From Lovell, take Highway 14A east into the Bighorn Mountains for 35 miles. After the switchbacks, turn left at the sign for Porcupine Ranger Station (Forest Service Road 13) and follow the signs to Porcupine Falls at the end of Forest Service Road 146. It’s about five miles to the trailhead from Highway 14A. Park near the trailhead kiosk and look for the trail at the north end of the parking area. There is no cell phone service in this area.
Difficulty: 2
Time to Complete: 1 hour
Distance: 0.9 miles
Seasonality: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fees/Permit: No
Dog Friendly: On Leash
Destination Highlights: A short hike to a gorgeous waterfall