Is swimming allowed at Cascades of the Firehole?

No, swimming is not allowed at Cascades of the Firehole.

Live Conditions · 198 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Cascades of the Firehole

Q: Are dogs allowed at Cascades of the Firehole?

No, dogs are not allowed at Cascades of the Firehole.

Wyoming

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Yellowstone National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

Tim Lumley CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

James St. John CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

About Cascades of the Firehole

The Cascades of the Firehole is a scenic waterfall located along the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. It is known for its picturesque setting and the cascading flow of water over rocky terrain.

The Setting

Cascades of the Firehole sits at 7,103 feet within Yellowstone National Park, fed by the Firehole River, in the high mountains of Wyoming.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Fairy Falls (200 ft) lies 6.4 miles to the south. Also nearby: Gibbon Falls (84 ft, 4.9 mi) and Firehole Falls (40 ft, 1.1 mi).

Fairy Falls Gibbon Falls Firehole Falls

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. Cascades of the Firehole is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

Trail Description

No hiking is required to view the Cascades of the Firehole, as it is visible from the roadside along Firehole Canyon Drive.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a beautiful view of the cascading waterfall surrounded by rugged rock formations and the flowing Firehole River. The area is a popular spot for photography and sightseeing.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Cascades of the Firehole?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $35.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Cascades of the Firehole?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is during the spring, summer, or fall when Firehole Canyon Drive is open. The waterfall is particularly scenic in spring when water flow is higher 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 the National Park Service website for current conditions.

Safety Information

Be cautious when driving on Firehole Canyon Drive, as it is a narrow, one-way road. Watch for wildlife crossing the road and follow all park regulations. Stay away from the river's edge, as the current can be strong and dangerous.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Low

198 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

215 232 276 317

Based on 35 years of record

2.92 ft

Water depth at gauge

63°F

Cool

Refreshing for swimming

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle. Water temperature is a refreshing 63 degrees F, good for a quick swim.

About This Gauge

Firehole River near West Yellowstone MT

USGS 06036905

0.5 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 261 sq mi

Altitude: 7,050 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Firehole River near West Yellowstone MT (1 km away).

High confidence

Low right now

198 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

198 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Low

196 cfs

6/10

Sun

Low

200 cfs

5/10

Mon

Low

211 cfs

4/10

Tue

Low

207 cfs

6/10

Wed

Low

199 cfs

6/10

Thu

Low

197 cfs

6/10

Best window: Today — low flow, sunny (trip score 6/10).

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

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 West Yellowstone 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.

Here the descent is spread out: 1-meter lidar measures about 64 feet of drop through Cascades of the Firehole, stretched along the creek rather than stacked in one wall. The brink sits at about 7,108 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 77 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 43 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northeast, the falls catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Cascades of the Firehole near West Yellowstone, Wyoming, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Cascades of the Firehole near West Yellowstone, Wyoming, showing about 64 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 7,108 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 64 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

The Cascades of the Firehole can be accessed via Firehole Canyon Drive, a one-way road off the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park. The road is typically open during the warmer months, but closures may occur in winter due to snow.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area along Firehole Canyon Drive where visitors can stop to view the waterfall.

Elevation

7,103 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.616321° N, -110.855490° W

Land Management

Yellowstone National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds. Be cautious when parking and walking near the roadside, as the area can be busy during peak tourist seasons.

This trail sits at 7,103 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 28% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.

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.

Where to Stay

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

Old Faithful Inn

10.9 miles away · 0 sites

The Old Faithful Inn, built in 1903 and a member of Historic Hotels of America® since 2012 was designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America. Old Faithful Inn, a rustic-style lodge with a log and wood shingle exterior, is adjacent to the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser. The origina

Book on Recreation.gov