6 Must-See Roadside Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park
There are dozens of named frontcountry and roadside waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park, and literally hundreds of unnamed and probably even undiscovered waterfalls. It’s interesting to consider that this abundance of cascades and falls is actually not one of the park’s top attractions.
Many people who visit the park for its world-renowned hydrothermal features and amazing wildlife viewing opportunities are also pleasantly surprised by the many Yellowstone National Park waterfalls, several of which are visible from roadside viewpoints.
6 Must-See Roadside Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park
Of course, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone falls are a top attraction in this popular park—they, too, are roadside waterfalls in Yellowstone! But there are a handful of others worth seeing as well.
All of the following roadside waterfalls in Yellowstone are easily visible from overlooks along Yellowstone’s epic Grand Loop Road, which is a figure 8-shaped double loop in the heart of the park.
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1. Kepler Cascades
Situated 2.6 miles from the Old Faithful area in southwestern Yellowstone, Kepler Cascades is a photogenic waterfall in the Firehole River. The cascades drop about 150 feet, the biggest drop being 50 feet.
There is a fine viewpoint of Kepler Cascades on the road from Old Faithful to West Thumb. Make sure to stop there. It’s a beautiful view, which, according to one member of the 1871 Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition, would be revered in the East:
“These pretty little falls, if located on an eastern stream, would be celebrated in history and song; here, amid objects so grand as to strain conception and stagger belief, they were passed without a halt.”
Gustavus C. Doane
2. Firehole Falls
A short side road of the Grand Loop Road just south of Madison Junction, the Firehole Canyon Drive parallels the Firehole River and offers a wonderful view of Firehole Falls.
On this drive, you’ll pass impressive lava flows that are up to 800 feet thick, while 40-foot Firehole Falls is absolutely beautiful as well. In summer, you can swim in the Firehole River along this drive, one of only two spots in Yellowstone where swimming is allowed.
3. Gibbon Falls
At Gibbon Falls, you can clearly see the remnants of the Yellowstone Caldera rim, created by an enormous volcanic eruption 640,000 years ago. This striking roadside waterfalls in Yellowstone literally drops 84 feet over the rim.
The viewpoint is between the Norris Geyser Basin and Madison Junction, which is often pretty busy. For less crowded views, simply follow the paved trail above the river. The further you walk, the smaller the crowds.
4. Rustic Falls
Located in the beautiful Golden Gate just south of Mammoth Hot Springs, Rustic Falls is a 47-foot waterfall in Glen Creek. Although not the most famous, biggest or even most spectacular roadside waterfall in Yellowstone, it’s still very, very popular.
This is thanks to its convenient location, its two parking lots busy stopping points among visitors who want to see the famous bridge in the Golden Gate.
There’s a upper parking at the top of Rustic Falls and a lower one that offers a head-on view of this scenic waterfall.
5. Undine Falls
There are a few wonderful roadside waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park’s northern part, none easier to see than Undine Falls. Situated about 4.5 miles east of Mammoth Hot Springs, a scenic viewpoint offers amazing views of this 60-foot three-tier waterfall in Lava Creek.
For a much closer view of Undine Falls, you can hike the Lava Creek Trail, a nice 4.2-mile point-to-point hike along Lava Creek and the Gardner River. Its two trailheads are across the road from the Mammoth Campground or across the road from the Lava Creek Picnic Area, respectively.
Note that grizzly bears do frequent this area, so carry bear spray while hiking and know how to use it!
6. Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the absolute highlights of a visit to Yellowstone National Park. Its magnificent yellow colors, sheer depth, cliffside fumaroles and waterfalls make this of the most famous locations in America’s national parks system.
The star of the show is the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, which is visible from several viewpoints on both rims of the canyon, all of which are easily accessible on the North Rim and South Rim Drives.
To see this awe-inspiring 308-foot waterfall—twice as high as Niagara Falls!—I recommend the North Rim overlooks of Lookout Point and Red Rock Point, both of which provide sensation views of the Lower Falls.
For an up-close experience, hike the steep Brink of the Lower Falls Trail down to the top of the falls.
On the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, nothing compares to the vista from Artists Point. This is one of the most iconic views in Yellowstone National Park, the Lower Falls framed perfectly by the colorful canyon walls, topped with forests.
Other Popular Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park Worth Seeing
In addition to those handful of stunning roadside waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park, the park has countless more scenic falls and cascades. If you have time for more, consider seeing the following, too.
- Tower Fall – Popular and picturesque 132-foot waterfall visible from a viewpoint in the Tower-Roosevelt area (not included above because I couldn’t visit Tower Fall in 2021 due to road closures).
- Wraith Falls – Wonderful 79-foot waterfalls located at the end of the 0.5-mile Wraith Falls Trail near Mammoth Hot Springs
- Fairy Falls – One of Yellowstone’s most popular waterfall hikes, 200-foot Fairy Falls is either a 5.4-mile or 6.7-mile hike, depending on where you start near Grand Prismatic Spring.
