You’re expecting gorgeous and spectacular everything when you visit Yellowstone, and this park won’t disappoint. And yes, that includes the Yellowstone National Park waterfalls.
While you might make a beeline for the park’s other attractions…thermal features like the Grand Prismatic Spring, or a spot renowned for wildlife like Lamar Valley, you don’t want to miss waterfalling. Your family will agree that waterfalls offer some of this Idaho + Montana + Wyoming national park’s most exciting, beautiful views.
You may need to hike to several Yellowstone waterfalls โ some of these gems are off the beaten path. But that’s not a worry for adventurers like you, right? However, Yellowstone is one of the most accessible national parks by car, so you can catch several beauties right from the parking lot or main road.
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The 13 Best Yellowstone National Park Waterfalls
Yo may have already heard of the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone Canyon, which are the two major waterfalls of the Yellowstone River. But those are certainly not the only two waterfalls worth visiting in this park! Yellowstone has gorgeous waterfalls ready for viewing all over the park, not just in the canyon area.
But since the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone are the most well-known, we will start there, and then dive into the rest of these watery wonders you can find throughout the park.
1. Upper Falls
There are two great options for seeing the Upper Falls. One offers a very short walk for a grand view of the falls from afar. The other will offer a VERY up-close view, for slightly more effort.
Option One: View of the Upper Falls from afar at the Upper Falls View Point
How to get there: From Canyon Village, head south on Grand Loop Rd for 2.3 miles, turn L on South Rim Dr to park in the first parking lot
Hike length: couple hundred feet
Difficulty: easy
Option Two: View of Upper Falls UP CLOSE from Brink of the Upper Falls
How to get there: From Canyon Village, head south on Grand Loop Rd. Pass N. Rim Drive, then look for signage on left for brink of upper falls parking (you’ll be on Grand Loop Rd approx 2 miles). If you hit South Rim Drive, you’ve gone too far.
Hike length: 0.3 miles, out and back (there are about 20 stone steps on the trail/no ramp)
Difficulty: easy
The first thing you’ll likely notice about the Upper Falls is its dramatic views. And the colors! You’ll see pink, red, yellow and white palettes in the canyon; the water is gorgeous turquoise. The dramatic colors carved out of the canyon will make you want to stare and stare some more (as long as your kids let you, that is).
The Yellowstone River crashes its way through the Upper Falls at 109 feet, with puffs of steam emanating from sections of the falls. The canyon comes from water supplied by ice dams that melted and flooded the region during the most recent ice age.
Of the two options for viewing the Upper Falls, our family’s favorite is the Brink of the Upper Falls. Standing at the very top of the falls and watching it cascade down over 100′ from less than 10′ away is pretty spectacular. And there is plenty of metal fencing mama bears, so that should allay some waterfall fears.
2. Lower Falls
The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, at 308 feet, rage and plunge through the 1,000-foot-deep Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Believe it or not, the Lower Falls are twice the height of Niagara Falls.
There are multiple ways to get a great view of this iconic Yellowstone National Park waterfall including Artist’s Point, Lookout Point, Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, and South Rim Trail.
The most popular options are Artists Point and Lookout Point because of the easy access.
How to get there: You can access Artist Point at the end of South Rim Road and Lookout Point off North Rim Drive.
Hike length: Artist Point: 1/10 mile on a paved trail off South Rim Drive. Lookout Point: You can drive right up to it! These are the most accessible waterfalls on our list.
Difficulty: Easy
Check it out in the spring for the most water volume. Consider trekking to the falls during golden hour, when the receding sunlight shafts golden light across the falls and landscape. Magical! (Pssst…want some other suggestions for where your family should see sunsets in this park? We’ve got some for you!)
Definitely check out the amazing (and easy to access) view from Artist Point โ where Thomas Moran sketched his famous landscape for extraordinary views.
Artist’s Point offers two wheelchair-accessible observation platforms. Rangers lead hikes daily and offer talks at 10 a.m. for kids at this location (which Heather’s family has attended and highly recommends).
Where’s the best place to glimpse the Lower Falls? Probably Lookout Point. Lookout Point gives you a peek of the roaring water just 1/3 of a mile away!
Check it out in the morning where the spray from the waterfall creates rainbows. Access to Lookout Point is simple as well. The trip from parking lot to this beautiful view point is less than a quarter mile, round-trip and is almost completely flat.
Past Lookout Point, you could continue down over 300 stairs to Red Rock Point, but as we know, what goes up, must come down, and vice versa…so if you decide to hike down, remember going up isn’t quite as fun.
And the view from the point is really amazing, so you can easily save your quadriceps the trouble without feeling too badly.
Note that there’s no shortage of trails that can take you to a view of the falls, including the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, 0.5 miles off North Rim Drive (Heather’s family’s favorite view point).
To access the Brink of the Lower Falls, you have to hike down (then back up) a steep switch back trail (600′ elevation change over 0.8 miles round-trip) to the observation point (which has plenty of metal fencing for safety).
Heather’s family did it with kids ages 11-16, and they had no issues, but be aware this is a difficult hike heading back up to the parking lot from the bottom of the trail.
However, my family would say the most scenic opportunity is to take the South Rim Trail, a 1.75-mile trail along the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. You won’t want to stop taking pictures, but hold onto your kids โ the edge of the trail is just that โ an edge!
3. Crystal Falls
How to get there: You can access Crystal Falls on South Rim Trail just east of the Uncle Tomโs trail area.
Hike length: 4.1 miles โ you can see the Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls all at once on this trail.
Difficulty: Moderate
Don’t forget about Crystal Falls amid the grandeur of Upper and Lower Falls. You can see it between both Upper and Lower Falls. It’s a whopping 129 feet of crystal beauty! Your family will like this as much as the Upper and Lower Falls.
4. Fairy Falls
How to get there: You can access two trailheads to Fairy Falls. Either park at the end of Fountain Flat Drive or a mile south of Midway Geyser Basin at the Fairy Falls parking lot.
Hike length: 5.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Oh, my goodness, my kids had so much fun at Fairy Falls.
First, you’ll have the opportunity to take a left at a fork in the path to see a bird’s-eye, gorgeous view of the Grand Prismatic Spring, which is better than the view you get on the walking trail.
Grand Prismatic is unbelievable from above because you can see the orange, green and blue jumping out at you from the path.
We visited Yellowstone National Park in August, so it was busy here โ and Fairy Falls was swarming with people. There was definitely some jockeying for position to get a good photo. However, we did get to play around at the foot of the 200-foot waterfall.
My kids skipped rocks, sat on logs and kinked their necks to glimpse the top of the falls.
The hike is easy, and it winds its way through young lodgepole pines. I clearly remember that my son forgot to grab his water bottle, so he was thirsty! Don’t forget to grab the Hydroflasks!
5. Cave Falls
How to get there: From Ashton, Idaho, head east on Main Street/ID-47 for 6.1 miles. Turn right onto Cave Falls Rd/1400 N. You’ll pay the usual park fee to enter the park because it is inside Yellowstone National Park.
Hike length: Quick walk to the falls
Difficulty: Easy
We’ll cover Bechler Falls and Cave Falls in the same group because you can access them on the same hike/drive. Note that these two waterfalls, though close to eachother, are very much off the beaten track from the rest of the park.
We’d recommend checking these two out only if you are going to be heading in or out of the park via the south entrance. So this could be a good pit stop if you’re planning on doing Yellowstone and Grand Tetons NP on the same trip.
Cave Falls looks like the length of a football field (it’s the widest waterfall in Yellowstone NP) โ your jaw will drop when you see its wide span. Take advantage of the refreshing swimming hole at the bottom, but use caution when swimming here, especially with young kids.
You can also access both falls from the Bechler Ranger Station, the trailhead for Cascade Corner. Bechler Meadows’ wetlands attract grizzlies and black bears and great blue herons. Trails are wet through July, so don’t forget your kids’ boots (and bear spray).
6. Bechler Falls
How to get there: Continue east on the riverbank trail 1.5 miles from Cave Falls.
Hike Length: 1.5 miles from Cave Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Bechler Falls is one of the broadest and most voluminous waterfalls in Yellowstone tucked in the remote southwest corner of Yellowstone. As you drive there, you’ll likely wonder where you’re going because it’s not on the main path. It’s worth traveling down a dirt road to see these gorgeous falls.
Again, like Cave Falls, Bechler Falls is not accessible from the main part of the park. It’s worth checking out though if traveling between Yellowstone NP and Grand Teton National Park.
7. Gibbon Falls
How to get there: Driving east from Madison to Norris, you can access it on Grand Loop Road, 4 miles east of Madison.
Hike length: 0.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
You’ll be impressed by the 84-foot falls from the Gibbon River, one of the park’s most eye-pleasing cascades. The falls bump and jump over hard rhyolite that marks the edge of the Yellowstone caldera. You don’t have to stop at Gibbon Falls; you can see it from the road, but I highly recommend getting out to see it up close.
There’s a short .5 mile total (out and back) path from the small parking area down to the falls overlook that runs between the river on top of a bluff, and the road.
Our favorite part of Gibbon Falls besides the jaw-dropping views? The picnic areas are where you can sit, admire the river, and munch on some tasty peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches and potato chips. (Sound oddly specific? Yep, that’s what we ate.)
8. Tower Fall
How to get there: Access Tower Fall off Grand Loop Road, just south of the Tower-Roosevelt junction
Hike length: 150 yards from the parking area
Difficulty: Easy
Sore and tired from hiking? Looking for a waterfall recommendation on the roadside? Easy!
Tower Fall fits the bill, where Tower Creek plunges 132 feet to combine with the Yellowstone River. Don’t forget to gaze at the volcanic pinnacles along the way.
P.S. For some reason, it’s called “Tower Fall,” not “Tower Falls.” You’ll sound like a true Wyomingite when you say it without the “s.”
While you’re there, don’t miss the general store…it’s a great gift shop. Plus, they have nice bathrooms here. And even better…ice cream!
9. Mystic Falls
How to get there: You can access the trailhead at Biscuit Basin.
Hike length: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy/moderate
This one’s on a trail, so you’re welcome for the recommendation if you have kids who need to burn off steam!
We loved Mystic Falls because you hike through a burned forest to Mystic Falls’ lava-rock base. You can also switchback up Madison Plateau to watch Old Faithful. Another reason to trek to Mystic Falls: You get a super uncrowded view of Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin! Three cheers for that!
10. Rustic Falls
How to get there: Drive about 4.5 miles south of Mammoth on Grand Loop Road.
Hike length: Quick walk to the side of the road
Difficulty: Easy
Here’s another quick stop on the waterfall tour: โโRustic Falls is a bell-shaped waterfall cascading down a 47-foot basalt cliff.
An easy stop on Grand Loop Road, you can stop at the top of the falls or 500 yards down the road. Consider checking it out in the spring and early summer to capture it when snowmelt has the best chance of impacting your camera and your memories.
11. Undine Falls
You can catch a good look at this beautiful waterfall easily from the side of the Grand Loop Rd, but there’s also a hike, if your family is so inclined.
How to get there: Access the trailhead across the road from the Lava Creek picnic area or Mammoth Campground. If you want to see if from a roadside overlook, there’s parking for several cars off the Grand Loop Rd, 4 miles east of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Hike length: 4.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Undine Falls gets its name from wise sprites who reside near waterfalls. Undine Falls (whether sprites have something to do with it or not) plunges 60 feet into a deep canyon. If you’re looking for peace, this is a good stop because it’s not busy.
If you want to turn the falls into a hike, you can take the Lava Creek Trail near West Yellowstone, Montana. You’ll likely catch others birding, fishing and hiking along the trail, so if you and your family like to do those activities, you’re in good company.
12. Wraith Falls
How to get there: 5 miles east of Mammoth Hot Springs on the Grand Loop Rd (just past Undine Falls)
Hike length: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
For our family, the best part of Wraith Falls is the hike to get to it. It’s not a long or difficult trail, only 1/2 mile each way, but it strolls through some BEAUTIFUL meadows.
You also get to cross a stream, and negotiate a small bridge (which the kids loved). Then you see the falls, which are more of a gentle, tumbling cascade instead of the raging river-type waterfall like you’ll see with the Upper or Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River.
Wraith Falls is more quiet, understated, and peaceful.
13. Kepler Cascades
How to get there: 2-miles south of Old Faithful Village on the Grand Loop Rd, you can access a pullout for parking, where a short walk leads you to a wooden patio on the canyon’s edge.
Hike length: Quick walk from the parking lot
Difficulty: Easy
When you’re in the Old Faithful region, don’t forget about the 100-foot Kepler Cascades, which swoosh through a rocky canyon south of Old Faithful Village.
Kepler Cascades is a gorgeous waterfall that handles the tumultuous Firehole River. Whip out your camera for another gorgeous family pic under these cascades.
How to Choose the Best Waterfalls to View at Yellowstone
Yellowstone is gigantic and has oodles of waterfalls, so which ones should you choose?
Here’s the deal. Planning a short trip may seem like a weird story problem from sixth grade without an easy answer. The park covers 3,471 square miles (larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined!) with 250 miles of roads and 1,100 miles of hiking trails. It could take a month to drive all the roads and a lifetime to hike all the trails.
My family and I went to Yellowstone in August 2022, and we had a great time tromping through creeks, hiking the trails, learning about fumaroles and mud pots and, of course, trying to catch waterfalls with our hands. We had a range of ages with us โ my parents, who were in their sixties, us (in our late thirties at the time) and two kids, ages nine and six.
We tried to hit all the main areas of the park in a week (whew, we put a lot of miles on our truck):
- Canyon Village
- Madison and West Yellowstone
- Mammoth Hot Springs and the North
- Norris Geyser Basin
- Old Faithful
- Tower-Roosevelt and the Northeast
- West Thumb, Grant, and the South
If you have the time, you can hit all the areas or pick a couple and stick to it. The largest waterfalls are in the Canyon Village area.
Many of the waterfalls on this list will be along your route…the great thing about Yellowstone is it’s set up in a loop, and you’ll be making pit-stops all-along the way.
We’d say the Yellowstone National Park waterfalls you can’t miss (and are easy to work into your route are:
- Upper and Lower Falls
- Gibbon Falls
- Undine Falls
- Tower Fall
Each of these will likely be right along your way at some point during your trip, and none require hikes to see. So definitely squeeze these waterfalls into your itinerary!
Snap a Pic with Your Family at the Best Waterfalls
Whether you’re at the top of the falls or taking pictures from the main roads, Yellowstone (the world’s first national park!) has some of travelers’ favorite waterfalls in the United States.
Whether you spend a whole day chasing waterfalls to get a closer look at the must-see tallest waterfalls on your list or spend an hour on the brink of the Upper Falls or another popular spot, get at least one picture with a waterfall in…safely, of course.
No leaning over balconies, kids on shoulders at steep overlooks, jumping fences etc. (you’ll give this mama heartburn). But you’ll be happy to have at least one waterfall family pic…I know we’re glad we got one!
Looking for more information about Yellowstone NP, or travel tips in more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
- 12 Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone [for Families]
- Dining in Yellowstone National Park: 21 BEST Options!
- Sunset in Yellowstone National Park: 10 BEST Family Spots
- Yellowstone National Park Animals: Best Family Guide
- Yellowstone National Park Bears: Guide For Families
- 17 BEST Yellowstone National Park Hikes for Families
- Yellowstone National Park Entrances [Family Guide]
- 8 BEST Yellowstone Glamping Options For Families
- Family Road Trip Essentials: 17 BEST Items To Pack
- Gift Guide for National Park Lovers
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It looks amazing. We are ‘stopping’ at Yellowstone for a couple of days at the beginning of September. I know we won’t be able to see much during that short time, but I hope to at least hit the highlights. Were you never afraid of running into a grisly bear on your hikes?
Loved the pictures, and the great descriptions of the waterfalls and everything! It looks like you had a wonderful time! Have a great week! – Patty