15 Amazing Waterfalls in Wyoming

Famous for Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming is a land of stately mountains, oil rigs, and wide-open plains, where you might still see cowboys rounding up steers and cattle just like they did in previous centuries.

Most of Wyoming’s waterfalls are located in the aforementioned park, but not all of them.

Please remember that the state and park are in areas where wild predators such as mountain lions, wolves and bears still roam free, so make a lot of noise, and pick-up a can or two of bear spray just in case.

Below are 15 of Wyoming’s most amazing waterfalls.

1. Lower Falls

Lower Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park gets more than four million yearly visitors from all over the world, and most of them see Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River.

At nearly 310 feet tall, the impressive falls are surrounded by a postcard-like natural setting that is a great introduction to all the park has to offer.

The falls, located in an area called ‘The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,’ are easily accessible from both sides of the gorge through which they flow.

The light rock faces of the canyon are pleasingly stark contrasts to the pine trees and rushing water.

2. The Wilderness Falls and Columbine Falls

For those value-minded explorers who like to get maximum bang for their buck, Wilderness Falls and Columbine Falls are two-for-one falls that are located in Grand Teton National Park.

At 250 feet, their sheer size is astonishing, but you won’t get anywhere near them without some planning and exertion.

If boating, hiking, and climbing aren’t on the cards, you can skip all that and see the falls from afar, which is how most visitors choose to take them in.

The falls are at their most dramatic during early spring when swelled with snow-melt.

3. Kepler Cascades

Located on Yellowstone’s Firehole River, Kepler Cascades drop over multiple tiers nearly 150 feet down.

Their proximity to Old Faithful Village puts the falls on many tourist’s to-do lists, but since they’re easily visible from the road, most don’t do much more than take a few photos from the window before heading off to their next adventure.

The falls were named after the son of a late 19th-century governor of the Wyoming Territory.

The base of the falls is accessible, but only by a slightly treacherous trail that’s not for the faint of heart.

4. Upper Falls

Like their Lower Falls counterpart, the Upper Falls are located in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone National Park area.

They’re not as popular as the Lower Falls, but at nearly 110 feet, they aren’t exactly modest; in the early spring when the water flow is at its greatest, they can be downright impressive.

The vantage point from which they’re visible gives a stunning view of the river above the falls, as it curves through the dark rock just before plunging over the precipice to the large pool below.

With ample trails and parking, there’s no excuse to miss them.

5. Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming — Hidden Falls

Located in Wyoming’s Grand Teton Mountains, Hidden Falls are majestic and easy to reach, which makes them ground zero for the area’s many visitors.

The falls can be reached by the boats that depart for the trip across Lake Jenny three times an hour, all day long.

If you’d rather save a few bucks and work up a lather, the 100-foot falls are reachable by a 5 ½ mile round trip.

Regardless of how you choose to get there, the falls and surrounding park will be sights that you won’t likely forget.

6. Terraced Falls

If uncharted territory reachable only by four-wheel drive sounds like your cup of tea, then Terraced Falls in the desolate southwest portion of Yellowstone National Park are for you.

The falls drop nearly 130 feet in a series of stairs or tiers, the tallest of which is about 50 feet.

They’re located on the Fall River in the part of the park named Cascade Corner, for its abundance of waterfalls.

The road into the falls is nearly 14 bone-jarring miles, that aren’t suitable for your granny’s Buick, so these falls will require a little planning if you intend to reach them in one piece.

7. Undine Falls

Located in world famous Yellowstone National Park, Undine Falls drop about 60 feet from the precipice of Lava Creek and cascade down numerous tears before reaching the pool below.

The falls are near Mammoth Springs and there’s a convenient pull-out area by the road if you’d like to pull over and snap a few photos of the falls before heading to the next item on your list.

Due to the falls’ visibility and proximity to the road, there’s no need to exert any energy to view them, but if you’d like to see them more closely, you can walk.

8. Firehole Falls

Located on the Firehole River in Yellowstone’s southwest, Firehole Falls drop about 45 feet through the massive lava rock formation that forms the canyon walls through which it flows.

It’s possible to park along one of the many pull-outs along the road if you’d like to walk to the falls, which aren’t far.

The area below the falls is one of only two areas in Yellowstone National Park where visitors are allowed to swim.

Firehole Falls are a great place to take a dip, have a picnic, or just enjoy the surrounding splendor.

9. Tower Fall

Located on Tower Creek, Tower Fall drop nearly 130 feet and are named from the tower-like rock formations that loom over them.

Despite their size, the falls often freeze in the winter, when temperatures are numbingly low and the water flow is meager.

The falls are viewable from an easy-to-reach overlook. For those who are interested in seeing more, there’s a short and moderately difficult trail that leads down to the base.

If you happen to be at the park in winter and have had a calorie-rich breakfast, the falls can be seen if you don some cross-country skis or snowshoes.

10. Shell Falls

Cascading nearly 120 feet over a solid granite base, Shell Falls in Wyoming’s Bighorn National Forest are a must-see when visiting the area.

The falls are on Shell Creek; the park also has facilities, a welcome center, and a small museum that will explain the area’s history and geology to you before you head out to see all the sights.

Some of the park’s rock formations are among the earth’s oldest, at nearly three billion years.

The falls and park are located between Cody and Sheridan, Wyoming. If you happen to be there when the park is closed, you can still make the easy walk to the falls.

11. Gibbon Falls

With a drop of about 85 feet, Gibbon falls are just above the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers on Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park.

With so many grand and majestic falls in the park, Gibbon Falls is one that’s often overlooked, which makes it a rare gem that shouldn’t be missed by seekers of peace, quiet and natural beauty.

Most who stop at the falls view them from the road or the observation area, then quickly move on.

The views of the granite pinch-point through which the water gushes and the gorge behind the falls are well worth a photo or two.

12. Mystic Falls

Mystic Falls, Yellowstone — Mystic Falls

Mystic Falls, also located on the Little Firehole River in Yellowstone, is a cascade-style waterfall with a drop of 70 feet.

The falls were officially discovered in the late 19th century by a survey team, although they were known by the area’s Native Americans well before that.

The falls are accessible by Mystic Falls Trail that is just slightly longer than a mile. They run along the elevated portion above the water, so wear shoes with good tread and watch your step.

In the late fall and winter, the forest around the falls has a sparse and stark appearance.

13. Iris Falls

Named after the rainbow goddess from Greek mythology, Iris Falls are located on the Bechler River in Yellowstone National Park.

At slightly less than 50 feet, the falls aren’t majestic by Yellowstone standards, but their beauty more than compensates for their lack of size.

They’re located between Colonnade Falls and Treasure Island, in the park’s southwest corner near the neighboring state of Idaho.

As you may have guessed, the falls wispy waters often transform into miraculous rainbows as the sun’s light refracts through the mist.

14. Moose Falls

Located on Crawfish Creek in Yellowstone, Moose Falls were named after the herds of moose that often congregate in the area.

The falls are near the park’s south entrance and are easily accessible from the roadside parking area and short trails that lead to them.

At 30 feet tall, you can reach both the crest and base easily, if you’d rather get a bit closer than the roadside viewing area.

The trails that lead by Moose Falls will take you to the area’s other falls too, some of which are miles away.

These trails can be great ways to stretch those legs and get away from the less mobile and ambitious sightseers.

15. Duck Creek Falls

Located in the Laramie Mountains, nestled in the remote Laramie Peak Wildlife Habitat Management Area, Duck Creek Falls is – like Tower Falls – one of those diamonds in the rough that’s only reachable by the truly determined.

The area is a reserve for antelope and bighorn sheep, which thrive in the hostile environment away from pesky humans.

It’s a few hours from Cheyenne, and since it’s not a tourist site, there aren’t any signs.

The hike to the falls takes a few hours. Remember the area is home to many animals, some of which are potentially dangerous, so take caution.