Thunder Bird Falls — Local services in Alaska

Easy walk into the observation area. Lower trail is a bit more difficult but not hard. Be aware there can be bears and wildlife. When entering area, check the pay station to confirm if payment is required. Restrooms are outhouse style, so do not drop in trash. Lower trail offers access to water and close up of the falls. Stay on trails to protect the area. There are slide areas that are gated as people have damage the area on over time.

If you plan on going to the water, or crossing, this is glacier water, freezing cold, be prepared. Also on the sides around the falls, the trails are slippery and a little dangerous. Take appropriate cautions to ensure you can enjoy...

The falls are beautiful, and expect a 1 mile hike each way up and down hills. It costs $5 to park. The restrooms were terrible. No toilet paper and feces splattered over one of the toilets. No hand sanitizer. The trail is mostly paved, but there is a lot of mud on them. Once you get to the falls area, there is a boardwalk. Had most of the trail been a boardwalk, I think it would have been less muddy and safer to walk on. Bottom line: this place should be maintained better for $5. As many people as visited when we were there, they should be making enough for daily restroom and trail...

Fairly easy hike from parking lot to the falls, temperature seems to drop from 80 to 55 at the base of the falls (mid July). We wasted no time for few nice photo with gorgeous back drop. The dense foliage of mid summer is in the way of a nice view from the observation deck. It's rewarding to hike to the base, we wanted to taste the crystal clear water but we forgot my MSR Guardian...