Best Yellowstone Waterfalls
Yellowstone National Park is the most diverse park I have ever visited. We have plans in the works to visit again this fall. While it will be my third visit to the park, it will be Jessie’s first and I’m looking forward to taking on the tour guide role to show him some of the amazing scenery and wildlife the park has to offer.
In this post, I have picked out my favorite waterfalls to visit in Yellowstone National Park. Many spectacular waterfalls in the park are easy access, which is great when you have full days exploring the park. The downside is that in the high season of summer, they can be extremely busy. For the best chance at avoiding the crowds and snagging a parking spot, start your day early. I took all of the photos in this post on two different September trips, so these waterfalls are flowing even into the fall.
Waterfalls Highlighted
Moose Falls
Fairy Falls
Gibbon Falls
Mystic Falls
Lower Falls
• Artist Point
• Brink of the Lower Falls
Undine Falls
Moose Falls
Parking coordinates: 44.152074, -110.673669
Trail length: 0.1mi/0.16km RT
Moose Falls is located just north of the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. There is a parking area along the main road. From the parking area it is a short, downhill walk to view the 30ft (9.1m) falls. This isn’t the biggest waterfall in the park, but it’s probably my favorite. The water flow is great, even in the fall, and it just feels more secluded when you are there.
Canon EOS Rebel T2i - 17mm, ISO 100, f/16, 0.4sec
Capture time: early evening
Fairy Falls
Parking coordinates: 44.515047, -110.832465
Trail length: 4.8mi/7.7km RT
Fairy Falls is a 200ft (61m) high waterfall near Grand Prismatic Spring. The hike to Fairy Falls starts just south of the parking area for Midway Geyser Basin. It follows along the south side of Midway Geyser Basin, passing by Grand Prismatic Spring. The trail is mostly flat and easy. Start early!
Canon EOS Rebel T2i - 17mm, ISO 100, f/14, 1 sec
Capture time: mid-morning
Gibbon Falls
Parking coordinates: 44.655086, -110.771053
This is a beautiful 84ft (25.6m) roadside waterfall with a decent sized parking area. It’s just a short walk along the paved trail to view the waterfall. Gibbon Falls is a great, quick stop on the way to Mammoth Hot Springs or Canyon Village.
Canon EOS Rebel T2i - 36mm, ISO 100, f/14, 0.3 sec
Capture time: mid-morning
Mystic Falls
Parking coordinates: 44.485094, -110.852413
Trail length: 2.4mi/3.86km RT
The trail to 70ft (21.3m) tall Mystic Falls starts in the Biscuit Basin parking area. After taking the boardwalks to the west side of Biscuit Basin, you hop onto the Continental Divide Trail and it’s an easy hike west to the falls. As an ambiance bonus, there is steam that vents from the rocky area off to the side of the waterfall.
Canon EOS Rebel XTi - 23mm, ISO 100, f/22, 1/8 sec
Capture time: late afternoon
Lower Falls
Artist Point
Parking coordinates: 44.719372, -110.481025
Trail length: 0.2mi/0.32km RT
This is probably the most well-know view point in the entire park. It’s absolutely worth a stop, but I recommend going early or during the off-season as the parking lot fills up fast. Lower Falls plunges 308ft (93.9m) into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. I love the contrast of the dark water below next to the light colored cliffs. You can even see some steam from thermal vents next to the river!
Canon EOS Rebel T2i - 19mm, ISO 100, f/18, 1/4 sec
Capture time: mid-morning
Brink of the Lower Falls
Parking coordinates: 44.719695, -110.497466
Trail length: 0.7mi/1.13km RT
You really get a sense of the power of this river when you hike down to the top of the Lower Falls. From the parking area, the hike down to the Brink of the Lower Falls is short, but it is also steep. It puts you right on the edge of the top of the waterfall (with safety railing of course) where you can watch the water fall over the edge and down into the canyon below.
Canon EOS Rebel XTi - 40mm, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/100 sec
Capture time: mid-morning
Canon EOS Rebel XTi - 17mm, ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/60 sec
Capture time: mid-morning
Undine Falls
Parking coordinates: 44.943455, -110.640315
Undine Falls is a 60ft (18.3m) tiered, roadside waterfall just east of Mammoth Hot Springs on the Grand Loop Rd. It’s a quick, easy stop. In the fall, there’s some colorful undergrowth that adds interest.
Canon EOS Rebel T2i - 48mm, ISO 100, f/20, 1.6 sec
Capture time: mid-day
I hope this short summary of my favorite Yellowstone waterfalls helps you in planning out your next trip. There are many more waterfalls in Yellowstone, but these are my favorites and they are all fairly easy-access.
