Is swimming allowed at Kepler Cascades?

No, swimming is not allowed at Kepler Cascades.

Nearby gauge (Firehole River) · 38 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Kepler Cascades

Q: Are dogs allowed at Kepler Cascades?

No, dogs are not allowed at Kepler Cascades. 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 • 150 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Yellowstone National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

Jill Clardy CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

@CarShowShooter CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

kla4067 CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Joe Shlabotnik CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

50 ft

About Kepler Cascades

Kepler Cascades is a stunning multi-tiered waterfall located along the Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The cascades drop approximately 150 feet over a series of rocky ledges, creating a picturesque and dynamic scene. It is easily accessible and a popular stop for visitors exploring the park.

The Setting

Kepler Cascades sits at 7,559 feet within Yellowstone National Park, in the high mountains of Wyoming. At 150 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Wyoming.

Height: 150 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Fairy Falls (200 ft) lies 6.3 miles to the northwest.

Fairy Falls

Trail & Hike Details

0.1 mi distance 50 ft climbed

The Approach

No hiking required. Kepler Cascades is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

Trail Description

The trail to Kepler Cascades is extremely short and consists of a paved path leading from the parking area to a wooden viewing platform. The platform provides an excellent view of the cascades and the surrounding forest.

What to Expect

The falls cascade 150 feet.

Accessibility

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

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Kepler Cascades?

❌ 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 Kepler Cascades?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The best time to visit Kepler Cascades is during the spring and summer when the water flow is at its peak due to snowmelt. Fall offers beautiful foliage, while winter provides a serene, snowy landscape if the roads are open.

Seasonal Access

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

Safety Information

Water temperature is currently 42°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

Stay on designated paths and the viewing platform. Do not attempt to climb down to the waterfall as the terrain is steep and dangerous. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, especially in winter.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Firehole River, 1.2 miles away, not on Kepler Cascades's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

38 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

2.43 ft

Water depth at gauge

42°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

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 very cold at 42 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.

About This Gauge

Firehole River at Old Faithful, YNP

USGS 06036805

1.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 40 sq mi

Altitude: 7,340 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Firehole River at Old Faithful, YNP (2 km away).

High confidence

Barely Flowing right now

39 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

39 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

38 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

38 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

39 cfs

5/10

Sat

Low

42 cfs

4/10

Sun

Low

44 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

43 cfs

4/10

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

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late April to mid July, 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 West Yellowstone hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Kepler Cascades Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Kepler Cascades is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 47°F to 26°F.

Days below freezing: 1 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 40 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.

The ground through the falls loses about 130 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The listed height of 150 feet matches what the lidar sees. The ground at the falls is roughly 7,593 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 21 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 111 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing northeast, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Kepler Cascades near West Yellowstone, Wyoming, showing about 130 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 7,593 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 126 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

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

Kepler Cascades is located about 2.5 miles south of Old Faithful along the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park. It is easily accessible by car.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area near the viewing platform, which is located just off the road.

Elevation

7,559 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.445767° N, -110.807155° W

Land Management

Yellowstone National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early in the day to avoid crowds, especially during the summer months. Bring a camera to capture the stunning views. Be cautious near the edge of the platform and supervise children closely.

This trail sits at 7,559 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 30% 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 0.1 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

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

Old Faithful Inn

1.6 miles away · 0 sites

Walking distance

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