Yellowstone isn’t just America’s first national park – it’s nature’s stage where boiling geysers, steaming vents, and mineral-rich pools share the spotlight with powerful waterfalls. Here, water carves deep canyons and plunges hundreds of feet into mist-shrouded valleys, creating a landscape unlike anywhere else. Whether you’re chasing roadside cascades, wandering through geyser basins, or exploring America’s Serengeti, every moment is awe-inspiring and undeniably Yellowstone. Here’s your guide to the best waterfalls in Yellowstone.
The Best Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park
Home to more than 40 named waterfalls, Yellowstone offers everything from quick roadside views to rewarding hikes through geothermal landscapes. While most of the park lies in Wyoming, Yellowstone’s most popular entrances are the North and West Entrances in Montana. To make planning easier, we’ve noted the closest entrance for each waterfall so you can map out your waterfall-chasing adventure.
Upper & Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River
Height: 308 feet
Location: Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (West Yellowstone)
Flows: Year-round; peaks during late spring snowmelt
Yellowstone Falls is the park’s showstopper – a pair of cascading giants that pour into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Lower Falls plunges 308 feet, nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls, into a canyon marked by volcanic hues. Just upstream, Upper Falls adds its own thunderous drop of 109 feet, completing one of the most dramatic river gorges in North America. Experience the canyon’s grandeur from overlooks along North Rim Drive, or take the Brink of Lower Falls Trail (0.7 miles round-trip) to stand above the roaring drop. It’s a short, but steep hike.
Tower Fall
Height: 132 feet
Location: Near Tower-Roosevelt Junction (North Yellowstone)
Flows: Year-round; peaks in spring and summer
Tower Fall earns its name from the towering volcanic rock spires that frame its cascade, creating one of the most photogenic scenes in the park. It’s easily accessible via a short paved walk from the parking area, making it a must-stop on your way to the Lamar Valley or Yellowstone’s northeast corridor. The overlook offers sweeping views of the fall plunging into a rugged canyon, especially striking at sunrise or after a summer storm.
Gibbon Falls
Height: 84 feet
Location: Grand Loop Road (West Yellowstone)
Flows: Year-round; peaks in spring and summer
Flowing gracefully over a lava ledge, Gibbon Falls is one of Yellowstone’s most accessible waterfall experiences. Situated between Madison and Norris Junctions along the Grand Loop Road, a roadside stop at Washburn Hot Springs Overlook makes for a perfect quick photo op or a scenic pause during a day of geyser-hopping. Hike the 0.5-mile out-and-back trail from the Gibbon Falls Picnic Area for a closer look at the base of the falls.
Kepler Cascades
Height: 150 feet
Location: Firehole River near Old Faithful (West Yellowstone)
Flows: Year-round; peaks in spring to early fall
Kepler Cascades is a series of drops totaling about 150 feet, set in a deep rhyolite gorge along the Firehole River just 2.5 miles south of Old Faithful. This roadside wonder requires no hike, just pull into the viewing area and watch the river tumble over dark volcanic rock. While quick to visit, it pairs perfectly with nearby geothermal features like Old Faithful and Lone Star Geyser, making it an easy and rewarding stop on your way to or from Yellowstone’s iconic geyser basins.
Mystic Falls
Height: 70 feet
Location: Biscuit Basin near Old Faithful (West Yellowstone)
Flows: Year-round; peaks during spring snowmelt
Mystic Falls offers a blend of Yellowstone’s geothermal magic and forest beauty. This 70-foot waterfall is reached via a moderate 1.2-mile trail that winds past steaming vents and colorful hot springs before opening up to a peaceful fall dropping into the Little Firehole River. For those seeking more adventure, the trail can be extended into a scenic loop with elevated viewpoints.
Waterfalls Near Yellowstone (Outside the National Park)
Pine Creek Falls
Height: 100 feet
Location: Paradise Valley, MT
Flows: Year-round; peaks during spring and summer
Just beyond Yellowstone’s North Entrance in Paradise Valley, Pine Creek Falls is a local favorite waterfall. The 100-foot falls are reached via a 2.5-mile round-trip hike through shaded forests and wildflower meadows, making it ideal for a half-day excursion from Under Canvas North Yellowstone. In early summer, the falls thunder with snowmelt, and later in the season, they transform into a peaceful backdrop for picnics or fly-fishing nearby.
Ousel Falls
Height: 40 feet
Location: Big Sky, MT
Flows: Year-round; peaks during spring and summer
Located about an hour from Under Canvas West Yellowstone, Ousel Falls is beloved for its short, family-friendly trail and impressive setting. The 1.6-mile round-trip path follows the Gallatin River through a lush canyon, crossing wooden bridges before reaching a 40-foot waterfall surrounded by mossy rocks and evergreens. Its accessibility and scenic beauty make for a relaxing off-day from the park.
The Best Time to See Waterfalls in Yellowstone
The best time to experience Yellowstone waterfalls is from late May through early July, when spring snowmelt transforms them into roaring torrents. This is when the park feels most alive, with mist rising against canyon walls and wildflowers beginning to bloom. By midsummer, flows mellow and waterfalls start to slow, perfect for photography and quieter hikes. Early fall adds golden hues to the landscape, creating a stunning backdrop for these natural wonders.
Where to Stay in Yellowstone
For an unforgettable basecamp, choose Under Canvas North Yellowstone – Paradise or Under Canvas West Yellowstone. Both feature upscale safari-inspired tents with plush king beds, wood-burning stoves, stargazing windows, private decks, and ensuite bathrooms for the perfect blend of comfort and nature. North Yellowstone offers easy access to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Lamar Valley, and Mammoth Hot Springs, while West Yellowstone puts you just minutes from Geyser Country. Enjoy on-site dining experiences, nightly s’mores, and curated adventures for a stay as extraordinary as your surroundings.
Pro tip: Split your stay between both camps to see the best of Yellowstone’s north and west regions in one unforgettable trip.