The Waterfalls of Yellowstone National Park

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River (Above Photo)

Yellowstone National Park has an abundance of waterfalls.  There are hundreds of named and unnamed waterfalls in Yellowstone and new waterfalls are still being discovered in remote areas of the park.

There are also many waterfalls that can be seen and photographed at the side of the park road or are just a short hike from the car.

In this blog, I’ll tell you about these accessible Yellowstone waterfalls, their location, GPS coordinates, information about the hike, and some photography tips.  There is also a photo of each waterfall.  Click on the photo for a larger view of the waterfall.  Prints and downloads are also available of the waterfall by clicking on the photo. 

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River

The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River is the most well known and photographed waterfall in the park.  From Artist Point there is a picturesque view of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with the Lower Falls at the end of the canyon.  The Lower Falls is the highest waterfall in the park at 308 feet.

Take the path from the top of the Artist Point parking area.  Follow the path until you see a short path on the left. This will lead to an observation area that will give a head on composition of the falls.

Visit the lower falls on a clear morning around 9:45 – 10:00 am to see a rainbow over the bottom of the falls.

Tower Falls

Tower Falls is located right at the Tower Junction and store.  It is only a 150 yard hike to the falls.  The ground is flat so I tripod can be used.  Tower is a very busy spot during the day in the summer season.  There is only one good spot to set up your tripod for a good photo of the falls, so visit Tower Falls early in the morning.  GPS Coordinates: 44°53’37” N 110°23’14” W

Gibbon Falls

Gibbon Falls is located along the roadside between Norris and Madison.  There is a large parking area for the falls that is big enough for tour busses.  Take the path to the south from the parking area for the best shots.  These falls are very busy during the summer months so arrive early.  GPS Coordinates: 44°39’14” N 110°46’16” W

Rustic Falls

Rustic Falls is located just south of the hoodoos on the road from Mammoth to Norris.  There are two pullouts for rustic falls.  One at the top of the falls and a pullout that provides a view with some foreground at the base of the falls.  I prefer the lower pullout with the view of the entire falls.  However, you may need to wait for the cars to leave the upper pullout so they will not be in your photo. 

Rustic Falls is a Picturesque waterfall where the base spreads out like a fan.

GPS Coordinates: 44°56’3″ N 110°43’31” W

Wraith Falls

Wraith Falls is located on the Park loop road between Mammoth and Roosevelt in Yellowstone National Park. The trail is located on the south side of the road and it is well marked.

It’s about a 1/2 mile hike to the falls from the pullout.  Only about the last 100 yards is an uphill grade. There was room at the observation area for one or two people to set up a tripod.

GPS Coordinates of the falls: 44°56’13” N 110°37’25” W

Undine Falls

Undine Falls is located right along the road between Roosevelt and Mammoth, but closer to Mammoth.  There is a pull off on the right side of the road as you are heading toward Mammoth that can hold quite a few cars.

The viewing area to see the entire falls is very close to the parking area.  There is a 1/4 mile trail to hike if you want a view from the top of the falls.

GPS Coordinates: 44°56’13” N 110°37’25” W

Moose Falls

Moose Falls is located along the South Entrance road close to the Yellowstone South Entrance.  It’s a short 1/4 mile hike to the falls.  Don’t stop at the first viewing point at the top of the falls continue down the trail to the base of the falls.  While the ground is not completely level, a tripod can be set up at the base of the falls.

GPS Coordinates: 44°9’7″ N 110°40’22” W

Lewis Falls

Lewis Falls is also located along the South Entrance road just south of Lewis Lake.  At the pull off south of the bridge I didn’t find any level ground for a tripod.  You will also need to go as far right as possible for the best shot of Lewis Falls.

A longer shot of the falls can be taken from the other side of the bridge.

GPS Coordinates: 44°16’3″ N 110°38’8″ W

Written by Martin Belan

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