The 8 Best Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park

As if there wasn’t already enough to see, are you wondering what some of the best waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park might be? If geysers aren’t your thing, or perhaps you have already done plenty of wildlife viewing in some of America’s fantastic national parks, you may be ready to explore something different. And what better opportunity is there than to experience waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park? 

In this article, we will go over some of the best waterfalls found within Yellowstone National Park, including how you can access them. We will also go over what the tallest waterfalls are, as well as which waterfalls are the most popular. If you are seeking a guide to waterfalls in Yellowstone, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started now! 

Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park

Given the fact that there are roughly 50 named waterfalls within Yellowstone National Park, with countless others unnamed, there’s no shortage of great viewing throughout the park. Whether you are seeking a day hike with a rewarding waterfall at the end, or perhaps you simply want a nice place to relax for a moment, there’s a waterfall in Yellowstone for you! 

Ironically, the tallest waterfall in Yellowstone National Park did not make our list of some of the 8 best waterfalls to view. This is largely due to the style of this particular waterfall, as it forms a single thin line down the cliff. The Silver Cord Cascade waterfall is 1200 feet tall, but it isn’t nearly as impressive as these other Yellowstone falls! Let’s check them out.

Upper Falls

Falling 110 feet down into the Yellowstone River, the Upper Falls waterfall is one of the most famous found in this National Park. It is easily viewed from a number of different locations and hikes, including the South Rim Trail and Uncle Tom’s Trail. Know that Uncle Tom’s Trail is particularly steep, but it offers visitors a direct descent down to the powerful force of this waterfall!

Lower Falls

While it isn’t taller than the Silver Cord Cascade, the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River is often considered the tallest waterfall in Yellowstone. Falling an impressive 308 feet, Lower Falls is one of the most photographed and visited locations in Yellowstone National Park, besides Old Faithful, of course! You can easily view Lower Falls from the road, or take a number of different hikes to see it up close and personal.

Fairy Falls

A great hike for families and visitors of all ages, Fairy Falls is charming and serene. You can access these falls after hiking the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, giving you the opportunity to view two undeniable legends in Yellowstone. Plus, Fairy Falls is over 200 feet tall, making it impressive and beautiful.

Gibbon Falls

Impressive and easily accessible along a paved, half-mile trail, Gibbon Falls is perfect for first-timers visiting Yellowstone. You can choose to take a brief but pleasant walk to view the falls directly, or you can view this scene from the road. You may opt for roadside viewing instead, given that the parking lot for Gibbon Falls fills up quickly!

Tower Falls

Another popular waterfall in Yellowstone has to be Tower Falls. It’s tall, at 132 feet, and it cascades between enchanting rock structures known to locals as ‘the towers’. As of now, the trails to the bottom of Tower Falls are currently under maintenance and repair, though you can still see the falls from above.

Firehole Falls

Formed along the Firehole River, Firehole Falls are impressive and unique year-round. You can view the falls from the roadside, and a few different overlooks, or you can do a moderately strenuous hike along the Firehole River. These falls are unique in that they are along the thermally charged Firehole River, emitting steam during the winter months. 

Union Falls

At 250 feet tall, Union Falls drips down a sheer rock cliff like a spiderweb. It is a beautiful sight to behold, though you may not get to see it in person. It is extremely difficult to reach, with a nearly 15-mile round-trip hike involved. Not only is that a load of walking, but you’ll be hiking through bear country and crossing rivers to do it! However, many people report that it is well worth the journey.

Kepler Cascades

If you are looking for a much more accessible waterfall, check out the Kepler Cascades. Viewable from an extremely short walk from a parking lot, you can check out this 150-foot-tall waterfall with ease. There’s no way to access this waterfall from its base, but you can take a pleasant boardwalk tour and observe it from above, right after doing the Upper Geyser Basin hike!

Summary of The 8 Best Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Martina Birnbaum