Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Drive Up
About Beartooth Falls
Beartooth Falls is a cascade on Beartooth Creek near Beartooth Lake on the Wyoming section of the Beartooth Highway (US 212), in Shoshone National Forest. It is seen from a signed roadside pullout, so no hike is needed. Flow is strongest in early summer during snowmelt.
The Setting
Beartooth Falls sits at 8,760 feet within Shoshone National Forest, in the high alpine of Wyoming.
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
No hiking required. Beartooth Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.
USFS Trail
BEARTOOTH CR TRAIL #619
Trail Class
Moderately Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
0.97 miTrail Description
No hike is needed; the falls are viewed from a signed pullout on US 212. For a walk, the Beartooth Creek Trail (#619) and Beauty Lake Trail (#621) start in the Beartooth Lake area.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Beartooth Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Shoshone National Forest land; keep them under control and away from highway traffic at the pullout.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Beartooth Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
The best time to visit Beartooth Falls is during late spring through early fall when the Beartooth Highway is open and the waterfall is flowing at its peak due to snowmelt.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Shoshone National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Be cautious when parking along the highway, as traffic can be heavy. Stay a safe distance from the edge of the pullout area and avoid climbing on rocks near the falls. Weather in the area can change rapidly, so dress appropriately.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Cooke City hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Beartooth Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Beartooth Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°F to 29°F.
- Days below freezing
- 1 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Wyoming.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The ground through the falls loses about 180 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 8,793 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 134 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 65 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 8,793 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 180 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Drive the Beartooth Highway (US 212) between Cooke City, Montana, and the Beartooth Pass. The signed pullout for Beartooth Falls is near Wyoming mile marker 27, close to Beartooth Lake.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
There is a small pullout area along the Beartooth Highway where visitors can park to view the falls.
Elevation
8,760 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.937132° N, -109.603283° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Visit early in the day to avoid crowds, especially during the summer months. Be cautious when parking along the highway, as traffic can be busy. Bring a camera to capture the stunning views.
This trail sits at 8,760 ft — the air is noticeably thinner
High AltitudeSome visitors experience headaches, fatigue, or shortness of breath at this elevation. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and consider supplemental oxygen if you're coming from a lower altitude.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)
Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.
Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex
Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.
Where to Stay
Beartooth Hideaway Inn & Cabins
Alpine Motel of Cooke City
Rock Creek Resort
Antlers Lodge
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
Island Lake Campground
3.1 miles away · 0 sites
This beautiful high mountain lake campground has 21 newly remodeled sites. There is always plenty to do at this campground; hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and beautiful wildflowers galore. 16-day stay limitWater: AvailableThis site is not accessible to persons with mobility impairments.No cell serviceNotes: Maximum spur 32 feet. Boat ramp closed until winter ice clears.Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout; Types of fishing avail
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Cody, Wyoming
Hot Springs
This warm spring emerges at 7,948 feet elevation in Yellowstone's northeastern wilderness, 11.5 miles from Northeast Entrance R...
Hot, On Lamar River
A warm spring emerges along the Lamar River at 6,777 feet elevation in Yellowstone's renowned wildlife corridor, approximately ...
Hot Springs
Perched at 8,683 feet in Yellowstone's alpine backcountry, this warm spring sits 12.2 miles from Hoodoo Basin Trail, making it ...
Calcite Springs
Calcite Springs emerges at 201 degrees Fahrenheit along the walls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, where superheated wat...
Rainbow Springs
Rainbow Springs discharges at 190 degrees Fahrenheit—157 degrees above the frigid 32-degree ambient—in Yellowstone's remote bac...
Hot Spring Basin Group
Hot Spring Basin Group erupts at 198 degrees Fahrenheit at 8,388 feet elevation in Yellowstone's northeastern wilderness, posit...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Cody, Wyoming on SoakingSprings.
Explore Wyoming springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include the Beartooth Pass, Yellowstone National Park (via the northeast entrance), and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
Wildlife
The area is home to wildlife such as deer, elk, marmots, and occasionally bears. Visitors should exercise caution and avoid feeding or approaching wildlife.
Cities near Beartooth Falls
Writing about Beartooth Falls? Embed this waterfall on your site for free.