Are there fees or permits required for Brooks Lake Creek Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Brooks Lake Creek Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Brooks Lake Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Brooks Lake Creek Falls.

Live Conditions · 88 ft³/s · About average

Brooks Lake Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Brooks Lake Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Brooks Lake Creek Falls.

Wyoming

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Shoshone National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

philipbouchard CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Bill on Capitol Hill CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

1.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

200 ft

About Brooks Lake Creek Falls

Brooks Lake Creek Falls is a picturesque waterfall located in the Shoshone National Forest near Dubois, Wyoming. The falls cascade down a rocky slope surrounded by lush forest, offering a serene and scenic destination for visitors.

The Setting

Brooks Lake Creek Falls sits at 8,274 feet within Shoshone National Forest, fed by the Wind River, in the high alpine of Wyoming.

Trail & Hike Details

1.6 mi distance 200 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy hike follows Pelham Lake Atv Trail (#MT10), a 1.6-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. Expect 200 feet of elevation gain with grades of 10-12%. The trail is developed (Class 3).

USFS Trail

PELHAM LAKE ATV TRAIL #MT10

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

Avg Grade

10-12%

USFS Segment

2.88 mi

Trail Description

The trail to Brooks Lake Creek Falls is a short and relatively easy hike through a forested area. It follows Brooks Lake Creek and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and meadows. The trail is well-marked and suitable for most visitors.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Brooks Lake Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Brooks Lake Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is late spring through early fall when the trail is clear of snow and the waterfall flow is 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 of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Carry bear spray and make noise while hiking to avoid surprising wildlife. Check weather conditions before your visit, as storms can develop quickly in the mountains.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

88 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

60 73 105 126

Based on 72 years of record

2.35 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

WIND RIVER NEAR DUBOIS, WY

USGS 06218500

13.5 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 230 sq mi

Altitude: 7,189 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge WIND RIVER NEAR DUBOIS, WY (22 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

88 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

88 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

87 cfs

5/10

Sun

Low

98 cfs

3/10

Mon

Low

104 cfs

3/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

91 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

86 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

87 cfs

5/10

Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early May to early August, peaking in June.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Dubois hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

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 186 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 8,254 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 90 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 97 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Brooks Lake Creek Falls near Dubois, Wyoming, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Brooks Lake Creek Falls near Dubois, Wyoming, showing about 186 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 8,254 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 186 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Brooks Lake Creek Falls is accessible via Brooks Lake Road (Forest Road 515), which is off U.S. Highway 26/287 near Togwotee Pass. The road may be rough in places, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area near the trailhead for Brooks Lake Creek Falls. Parking may be limited during peak seasons.

Elevation

8,274 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.703669° N, -109.967612° W

Land Management

Shoshone National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be muddy or uneven in places. Bring insect repellent during the summer months, as mosquitoes can be present. Check road conditions before visiting, especially in spring or after heavy rains.

This trail sits at 8,274 ft — the air is noticeably thinner

High Altitude

Some 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.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy 1.6 miles hike is straightforward — comfortable trail shoes and plenty of water should do. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.

Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag

Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.

Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)

Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

Wraps around railings and rocks for long-exposure waterfall shots — no flat surface needed.

Osprey Daylite Daypack

Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.

Where to Stay

Lava Mountain Lodge

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

Pinnacles Campground

3.8 miles away · 0 sites

This campground hosts 21 campsites with dramatic views near Brooks Lake. Angling and flyfishing opportunities are nearby, with a boat ramp at Brooks Lake. Fantastic geologic formations at Pinnacle Butte can be seen on the drive in to the campground. Maximum spur 32 feet.Picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and garbage collection are available.This site is not accessible to those with mobility impairments.

Book on Recreation.gov