National Park Service Yellowstone’s Easily Accessible Waterfalls U.S. Department of the Interior Yellowstone National Park

DRAFT Yellowstone National Park is home to over 300 waterfalls, many of which were unknown until the late 1990s. The vast majority of these are located deep in the backcountry and require substantial or dangerous hikes to reach. About 10% of them, however, are located along the park’s roadways or are a short hike away. The falls range in height from around fi ve feet to the park’s tallest known waterfall, Silver Cord Cascade (1,200 ft/366 m), located along a creek that empties into the Yellowstone River in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The waterfalls listed in this guide are located in the park’s front country area or are easily accessible via a short or easy hike into the backcountry. See the reverse side of this fl yer for more details on each waterfall.

“The water does not seem to be under the dominion of ordinary laws, but rather as if it were a living creature, full of the strength of the mountains and their huge wild joy.” ~ John Muir, 1869 1. Undine Falls: 4.0 miles east of Mammoth; 14.1 miles west of Tower 15. Lewis Canyon Cascade (Upper): 6.8 miles north of the South JuncƟ on. This 60-foot waterfall along Lava Creek once graced the cover Entrance; 14.6 miles south of West Thumb JuncƟ on. This 80-foot cascade is of NaƟ onal Geographic magazine. The name comes from mythological visible from the highway, but there are no pullouts nearby. Therefore, the (feminine) water spirits who could acquire a soul by marrying a mortal man passengers of a vehicle can see it while the driver concentrates on keeping and bearing children. the vehicle on the road. (The lower cascade is not visible from the road) 2. Wraith Falls: 4.9 miles east of Mammoth; 13.2 miles west of Tower 16. Lewis Falls: 10 miles north of the South Entrance; 11.4 miles south of JuncƟ on. This 100-foot waterfall is named for its ghostlike appearance (a West Thumb JuncƟ on. Named for explorer Meriwether Lewis (along with wraith is a ghostlike fi gure). The waterfall is located along Lupine Creek, and the river and the lake), this 30-foot waterfall drops over the edge of the requires a short, 1/3-mile hike along level ground. Yellowstone Caldera, one of the few places where it is plainly visible. 3. Lost Creek Falls: At Tower JuncƟ on. This 40-foot waterfall is located 17. Kepler Cascade: 15.1 miles west of West Thumb JuncƟ on; 2.5 miles along Lost Creek approximately 1/4-mile behind Roosevelt Lodge. The hike east of Old Faithful. This double cascade (of 100 and 150 feet) along the is a bit steep but well worth the eff ort. is named a er the son of former Governor John 4. Unnamed Waterfalls on Baronette Peak: 4.2 miles west of the Hoyt (for whom Hoyt Peak along the East Entrance Road is named). Northeast Entrance; 24.4 miles east of Tower JuncƟ on. This 10,404-foot high 18. Fern Cascade: In the Old Faithful area west of the Government Complex; peak is home to many unnamed waterfalls during the spring snow melt and use the Howard Eaton trailhead. There are three sec ons of this cascade in the immediate a ermath of rain storms. You may also see the occasional with heights of 10- , 20- , & 70- . The fi rst two are visible from the trail; mountain goat perched on its cliff s. the taller, more scenic one requires some tricky naviga on to get to. 5. Tower Creek Cascade: 2.4 miles east of Tower JuncƟ on; 15.9 miles 19. Unfaithful Falls: 2.0 miles north of Old Faithful; 13.9 miles south of north of Canyon JuncƟ on. This 40-foot cascade is located along Tower Creek Madison JuncƟ on. This seasonal waterfall, also known to many locals as just above Tower Fall, adjacent to the roadway. It is especially robust during “Phantom Falls,” is a 100+ foot drop over the Madison Plateau on an unnamed the early spring snow melt and a er heavy rainstorms. tributary of the Li le Firehole River. It is visible only from Biscuit Basin and 6. Tower Fall: 2.4 miles east of Tower JuncƟ on; 15.9 miles north of Canyon the southbound side of the highway in that immediate area. JuncƟ on. Tower Fall is a 132-foot singular fall (thus the name) along Tower 20. Mystic Falls: Trailhead is at the back of Biscuit Basin, 2.0 miles north Creek. of Old Faithful. This 70-foot ered waterfall on Li le Firehole Creek requires 7. Lower Falls of the Yellowstone: Southeast of Canyon Village along a 3/4 mile trek and is one of the more popular hikes in the park. There are the Yellowstone River. By far the most popular waterfall in the park, this occasionally ranger-led hikes to this waterfall. Check with the Old Faithful 308-foot waterfall is probably the second most photographed feature within Visitor Educa on Center for dates and mes. Yellowstone. There are several vantage spots along both the north and 21. Fairy Falls: Trailhead is 4.4 miles north of Old Faithful; 11.5 miles south rims of the canyon for viewing, including Ar st Point. If you take the south of Madison JuncƟ on. The 1.6-mile hike to this waterfall along Fairy 3/8-mile hike down to the brink of the waterfall, you’ll be able to feel the Creek is perhaps the second most popular trail in Yellowstone behind that ground shaking from the force of the millions of gallons of water rushing by. to the summit of Mt. Washburn. A 197-foot ribbon, it is one of the most 8. Crystal Falls: Southeast of Canyon Village on Cascade Creek. Crystal Falls mesmerizing waterfalls in the park. is a 129-foot fall located just north of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone, and 22. Firehole Cascade (Upper): 13.6 miles north of Old Faithful; 2.3 miles is visible from the viewing pla orm at Uncle Tom’s trailhead. south of Madison JuncƟ on. This robust 20-foot cascade is located at the 9. Upper Falls of the Yellowstone: Southeast of Canyon Village along head of the Firehole Canyon. the Yellowstone River. Though not as well known or as photographed as 23. : Entrance to the canyon drive is 15.3 miles north of Old its lower cousin, this 109-foot waterfall can be just as drama c. Viewing is Faithful; 0.6 miles south of Madison JuncƟ on. This 40-foot waterfall falls available from the brink or from a pla orm at Uncle Tom’s trailhead. over the edge of the Yellowstone Caldera, and is framed by the striking 10. Silver Cord Cascade: Southeast of Canyon Village, the best view is Firehole River Canyon. approximately one mile in from the Glacial Boulder on the Seven Mile Hole 24. Gibbon Falls: 4.9 miles north of Madison JuncƟ on; 8.4 miles south of Trail. Located along Surface Creek, this is the park’s highest known waterfall, Norris JuncƟ on. This 84-foot waterfall (along with the river, meadow, and at over 1,200 feet. You can also get to the brink of this waterfall from the nearby hill) are named a er General John Gibbon, a U.S. Army offi cer who Clear Lake/Ribbon Lake Trail. was in charge of the Montana Territory and provided escorts for several of 11. Crecelius Cascade: 7.6 miles west of the East Entrance; 18.3 miles the survey teams who canvassed Yellowstone during the 1880s. east of Fishing Bridge JuncƟ on. This 75-foot waterfall along Clear Creek 25. Rapids: 10.6 miles north of Madison JuncƟ on; 2.6 is named a er the construc on foreman on the original stretch of this miles south of Norris JuncƟ on. This drama c 50-foot cascade along the sec on of highway in 1901-1903. Clear Creek passes through Eleanor Lake river between Elk Park and Gibbon Meadows is the home to Duck Rock, (named a er U.S. Army Engineer Hiram Chi enden’s daughter) and travels uniquely carved by the ac on of the rushing water around its base. Park in along the south side of the highway for several miles before emptying into the unmarked pullout and walk back (north) into the woods to view both. Yellowstone Lake. 26. Virginia Cascade: Entrance to the access road is 1.6 miles east of Norris 12. Talus Falls: 7.0 miles west of the East Entrance; 18.9 miles east of Fishing JuncƟ on; 9.9 miles west of Canyon JuncƟ on. This 60-foot cascade along the Bridge JuncƟ on. This 100+ foot, seasonal waterfall is named for the talus Gibbon River is named a er the wife of John Gibson, president of the early slope upon which it can be found duringDRAFT the early spring runoff . park concession company, the Yellowstone Park Associa on. 13. Sylvan Falls: 3.7 miles west of the East Entrance; 22.2 miles east of 27. Little Gibbon Falls: Trailhead is 3.7 miles east of Norris JuncƟ on; 7.8 Fishing Bridge JuncƟ on. Also known by many locals as “Three Mile Falls,” miles west of Canyon JuncƟ on. This 25-foot waterfall on the Gibbon River this 20-foot fall is located along an unnamed tributary of Middle Creek. It requires a short hike along the Wolf River Trail. gets its name from the fact it is shaded by a thick forest of trees (sylvan 28. Rustic Falls: 16.3 miles north of Norris JuncƟ on; 4.7 miles south of means “forested area.”). Mammoth. This fan-type waterfall is 47-feet tall and located along Glen Creek 14. Moose Falls: 1.4 miles north of the South Entrance; 20 miles south of as it falls into Golden Gate Canyon at Kingman Pass north of Mammoth. West Thumb JuncƟ on. This 30-foot plunge waterfall along Crawfi sh Creek is 29. Cave Falls: Access via Ashton Falls, Idaho, or Grassy Lake Road from one of the pre er ones in the park. A very short 200-foot hike is required Flagg Ranch. This 20-foot tall, 250-foot wide waterfall is one of several located to view it. The creek gets its name from the small crayfi sh that live in its along the Falls River, and was named for a nearby cave that collapsed in on warmer upper reaches. itself a few years ago.