I see there is a waterfall somewhat near and the pictures appear to have a lake...

[jBiGz:.]

How is the lake/pond? Can you go in at anytime?
Is the waterfall complicated to get to?
Might be something nice to do at sunrise if not.
Black bears.... is there alot of them?

[Jerry'sPhriend]

The ponds are off limits for swimming, but they are stocked with fish! - and on site. You can take a shuttle to the river.
The waterfall- the pics look nice, ha but I have never made it down there. I have been to every festival at MM but have never taken the time to do the hike... or play the disc golf course- and I live to throw and hike

[jBiGz:.]

yea the heat prolly puts a damper on it... id love to frolf there.. is there a map of this stuff there? or should i try to divuldge the information before i go?

i keep hearing the waterfall is cool but not worth the hike and theres always whack jobs haning out there.

the river is ok to dip in tho? correct?

[rchasei]

Yes. The river is good for swimming. Good is an understatement. It's down right glorious. If the heat is as bad this year (which it shouldn't be. First week of June at that altitude normally isn't THAT bad) I'm sure more peoe will make there way down there. The hardest part is scheduling your trip. There's so much music to see, it's sometimes hard to make the sacrifice and leave the festival grounds. Let me re-state, the river is glorious. Make sure you just take water bottles with you. I wouldn't recommend drinking down there, or acting foolish in general.

[fresh suggs]

The waterfall is cool and a fun spot to chill, but I must say the hike there is really no joke and it's often pretty packed down there. It all comes down to if you wanna go with that hike or not :P The river however is easy to get to and beautiful.

[jBiGz:.]

the river sounds wonderful thanks for the review

[msticdad]

Are there any other places around the festival to hike, or is the waterfall the only place? I have never been up in that area, so I do not know what the terrain or wildlife is like.

[KB]

The terrain is moderate/advanced, and there are a number of different hiking options. Many trails through the mountains, although many of them are all-terrain trails.

Can a local offer more detail?

[Pauly's Cheese]

Black bears.... is there alot of them?

The reason that the ponds are off limits to swimming is that they have gigantic snapping turtles in them. Trust me, I caught on once while fishing for catfish.

There aren't a whole bunch of bears, but they are pretty fearless. Here's a video of one on the festival grounds last year.

[brappple]

the waterfall is not on the same private property on which the rest of the festival is located. Be aware.