Is swimming allowed at Firehole Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Firehole Falls.

Live Conditions · 203 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Firehole Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Firehole Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Firehole Falls. Pets aren't allowed on hiking trails, boardwalks or in the backcountry in Yellowstone; they must stay within 100 feet of roads, parking areas and campgrounds.

Wyoming • 40 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Yellowstone National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

BradSimsPhoto CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Tim Lumley CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Duncan Rawlinson - Duncan.co CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Tim Lumley CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

stevehfung CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

100 ft

About Firehole Falls

Firehole Falls is a picturesque waterfall located on the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. It is a popular roadside attraction known for its scenic beauty and accessibility. The falls cascade approximately 40 feet over volcanic rock formations, creating a stunning natural feature.

The Setting

Firehole Falls sits at 6,890 feet within Yellowstone National Park, fed by the Firehole River, in the high mountains of Wyoming. The falls drop 40 feet.

Height: 40 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Fairy Falls (200 ft) lies 7.4 miles to the south. Also nearby: Gibbon Falls (84 ft, 4.9 mi).

Fairy Falls Gibbon Falls

Trail & Hike Details

0.6 mi distance 100 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy 0.6-mile out-and-back trail gains 100 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

No hiking is required to view Firehole Falls, as it is visible from the roadside along Firehole Canyon Drive. Visitors can stop at designated pullouts to enjoy the view and take photographs.

What to Expect

The falls drop 40 feet.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Firehole Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets aren't allowed on hiking trails, boardwalks or in the backcountry in Yellowstone; they must stay within 100 feet of roads, parking areas and campgrounds.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $35.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Firehole Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The best time to visit Firehole Falls is during the late spring, summer, and early fall when the Firehole Canyon Drive is open. The falls are particularly beautiful in the spring when water flow is at its peak.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions.

Safety Information

Be cautious when stopping along the road, as traffic can be heavy. Stay on designated pullouts and avoid walking on the road. Wildlife is common in the area, so remain vigilant and do not approach animals.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Barely Flowing

203 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

234 242 284 319

Based on 37 years of record

2.94 ft

Water depth at gauge

59°F

Cold

Bracing — limit time in water

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 bracing 59 degrees F, limit your time in the water.

About This Gauge

Firehole River near West Yellowstone MT

USGS 06036905

0.7 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 261 sq mi

Altitude: 7,056 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

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

High confidence

Barely Flowing right now

203 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

203 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Low

219 cfs

4/10

Tue

Low

227 cfs

4/10

Wed

Low

228 cfs

4/10

Thu

Low

232 cfs

4/10

Fri

Low

231 cfs

4/10

Sat

Low

225 cfs

4/10

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

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.

Is Firehole Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately 2 more freezing days forecast

Firehole Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 24°F. 2 freezing days are forecast, so ice may start to form.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 2 of the next 7
Flow: 203 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.

Along the line through the falls, the bare ground drops about 227 feet, most of it in one sheer step, the signature of a plunge waterfall. The falls are listed at 40 feet; the extra comes from the ravine that continues below the base. The ground at the falls is roughly 6,875 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 330 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 167 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Firehole Falls near West Yellowstone, Wyoming, showing about 227 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 6,875 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 227 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Firehole Falls is located along the Firehole Canyon Drive, a one-way road off the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park. The drive is easily accessible by car and is well-marked with signs.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area near the falls along Firehole Canyon Drive. Parking may be limited during peak seasons.

Elevation

6,890 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.630766° N, -110.864379° W

Land Management

Yellowstone National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds. Be cautious when parking and exiting your vehicle, as the road can be narrow and busy during peak times.

This trail sits at 6,890 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.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

For this easy 0.6 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.

America the Beautiful Annual Pass

Covers entrance fees at 2,000+ federal recreation sites — required at most National Parks.

Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket

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

Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)

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

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.

Kahtoola MICROspikes

Cult-favorite traction cleats that grip ice and wet rock — essential for winter waterfall hikes.

JOBY GorillaPod Starter Kit

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

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

Hebgen Lake District

11.8 miles away · 0 sites

The Hebgen Lake district encompasses the soutwest portion of Custer Gallatin National Forest stretching down the west boundary of Yellowstone National Park. West Yellowstone, MT is included. Hebgen Lake covers the central part of the district.

Book on Recreation.gov