Is swimming allowed at Cleft Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Cleft Falls.

Nearby gauge (Snake River) · 923 ft³/s · About average

Cleft Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Cleft Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Cleft Falls. Pets aren't allowed on any trail, pathway or in the backcountry in Grand Teton National Park; they must stay within 30 feet of roads.

Wyoming • Grand Teton National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Grand Teton National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

National Park Service Public Domain · National Park Service

U.S. Geological Survey Public Domain · USGS

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Cleft Falls

Cleft Falls is a 50-foot cascade in Garnet Canyon, Grand Teton National Park, fed by snowmelt and the Middle Teton Glacier, so its flow varies greatly through the season. It lies along the Garnet Canyon Trail from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, about 2 miles east of Spalding Falls, with Bannock Falls farther downstream. The hike is strenuous; late spring and early summer bring the strongest flow.

The Setting

Cleft Falls sits at 8,638 feet within Grand Teton National Park, in the high alpine of Wyoming.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

From the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, the trail switchbacks up to a junction where the left branch leads into Garnet Canyon. The NPS rates the Garnet Canyon hike as strenuous, 8.2 miles round trip to its end with about 2,430 feet of gain; about a mile into the canyon a boulder field requires scrambling and wayfinding. The exact distance to Cleft Falls is not published.

What to Expect

Expect a steady climb on switchbacks with views over Bradley and Taggart Lakes, then a rocky canyon with boulder hopping. Flow at the falls depends on snowmelt and can be light by late summer.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Cleft Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets aren't allowed on any trail, pathway or in the backcountry in Grand Teton National Park; they must stay within 30 feet of roads.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $35.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Cleft Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit is in late spring or early summer when the waterfall flow is strongest 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 Grand Teton National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Crossing the boulder field requires scrambling, and higher in the canyon there is exposed terrain. Turn back in bad weather and carry bear spray.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Snake River, 5.8 miles away, not on Cleft Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

923 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

779 866 1.2k 1.4k

Based on 31 years of record

8.92 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.

SNAKE RIVER AT MOOSE, WY

USGS 13013650

5.8 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 1,674 sq mi

Altitude: 6,450 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SNAKE RIVER AT MOOSE, WY (9 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

923 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

923 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

926 cfs

9/10

Thu

Strong

972 cfs

8/10

Fri

Moderate

953 cfs

9/10

Sat

Moderate

935 cfs

9/10

Sun

Moderate

944 cfs

9/10

Mon

Moderate

935 cfs

9/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).

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 Teton Village hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Cleft Falls Frozen?

Updated about 11 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Cleft Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 34°F to 28°F.

Days below freezing: 2 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 923 ft³/s

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.

1-meter lidar measures about 189 feet of descent through Cleft Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. The brink sits at about 8,631 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 205 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 191 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southeast and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Cleft Falls near Teton Village, Wyoming, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Cleft Falls near Teton Village, Wyoming, showing about 189 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: 8,631 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 189 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

From the Teton Park Road between Moose and Jenny Lake, turn west at Lupine Meadows and follow the dirt road about a mile to the Lupine Meadows Trailhead.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead at the end of the dirt road. It is a busy climbers' and hikers' trailhead, so arrive early in summer.

Elevation

8,638 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.724029° N, -110.778070° W

Land Management

Grand Teton National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, and bring sturdy boots for the boulder field. Overnight trips need a backcountry permit.

This trail sits at 8,638 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.

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

TETON CANYON

7.4 miles away · 27 sites

Reservable

Overview Teton Canyon Campground is located in beautiful Teton Canyon at an elevation of approximately 6,500 feet. Driggs, Idaho is just 11 miles away. Hiking, backpacking and horseback riding are popular activities in this scenic region.Recreation The towering Teton Range and Jedediah Smith Wilderness are adjacent to the canyon. Excellent hiking, backpacking and horseback riding opportunities abound, with trails leaving from the campground. A horse staging area is located at the trailhead parkin

Book on Recreation.gov