Discover the Best Yellowstone Waterfalls
Yellowstone National Park is full of a variety of natural wonders. Although wildlife and geothermal features typically top visitors’ itineraries, there are plenty of stunning Yellowstone waterfalls to discover as well.
In fact, these waterfalls often end up being the favorite sights of many visitors. Some are easily accessible, just a short distance from the main road, while others can only be found at the end of a substantial hike. Trekking to these more remote falls is one of the best ways to enjoy Yellowstone without the crowds.
Whichever you choose to see, consider adding at least one of these Yellowstone waterfalls to your list of destinations on your visit to the world’s first national park.
Here’s our list of the top Yellowstone waterfalls for visitors to see.
1. The Yellowstone River’s Lower Falls
Take in all 308 feet of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River at one of the overlooks along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. By far the park’s most iconic waterfall, the Lower Falls make for a breathtaking, inspiring view.
There are several different access points, both close to the falls and further away, so you can enjoy a variety of viewing experiences.
Some of these, such as the overlook at the top of the falls, require a fairly strenuous hike, so be sure to pack plenty of water and pause to rest as necessary.
Of all the superb Yellowstone waterfalls, the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River is the waterfall that should be on every visitor’s list.
2. Tower Fall
Located on Tower Creek, this 132-ft waterfall makes the list of iconic Yellowstone waterfalls due to its sheer beauty. It’s also easy to access the best overlook, which is just a brief stroll from the Tower General Store.
If you’re traveling with family, Tower Fall is an easy destination that everyone can appreciate, so it’s well worth the stop.
In fact, Thomas Moran was inspired by this natural wonder. It was his painting of Tower Fall that helped Yellowstone become the nation’s first national park.
There is a trail to the base of Tower Fall, but it’s closed indefinitely, so make sure you plan to see the upper overlook.
3. Gibbon Falls
This is another one of the most accessible Yellowstone waterfalls, located in a picturesque area adjacent to the road between Norris and Madison.
Not far from the West Entrance, Gibbon Falls is somewhat loud, so you can hear it from quite a ways off. It’s a broad, domineering 84-foot waterfall surrounded by cliffs and pine trees characteristic of the western part of Yellowstone National Park.
You can glimpse Gibbon Falls from your vehicle, but parking and walking to look at the falls is absolutely worthwhile.
4. Union Falls
If you venture far into Yellowstone’s backcountry in the Bechler region, you can find Union Falls. It’s quite distinctive, with a truly unique configuration that makes for fantastic photographs.
This site got its name because it’s where Mountain Ash Creek and another small stream join together.
If you’re hiking to Union Falls, you may want to prepare for a night of camping in the backcountry. It’s about a 15-mile hike with an elevation gain of over 1,900 feet.
It’s widely considered to be a challenging trail, too, so give yourself plenty of opportunities to rest and take in the park’s natural beauty as you trek to what’s arguably the most incredible of all Yellowstone waterfalls.
5. Terraced Falls
We’re rounding out our list of the best Yellowstone waterfalls with another waterfall that isn’t as accessible as the first three, but requires a journey nowhere near as arduous as the hike to Union Falls.
Terraced Falls is also in the Bechler area, but the best access is outside Yellowstone’s borders. After leaving through the South Entrance, hang a right at Flagg Ranch and take Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road all the way to the Cascade Creek Trailhead.
From there, it’s just a 3.7-mile hike to Terraced Falls, with an elevation gain of less than 500 feet. You can do the entire hike comfortably in about two hours, but you may want to spend a bit longer to take in the falls while you’re there.
As you likely imagined, the falls are terraced, with a 150-ft drop in total. This waterfall runs between two cliffs and is surrounded by pine trees. Truly a spectacular sight for lovers of Yellowstone waterfalls.
If you venture into the backcountry, be bear aware. Before you go, check out these important Yellowstone bear safety tips.
