Is swimming allowed at Moose Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Moose Falls.

Nearby gauge (Snake River) · 308 ft³/s · About average

Moose Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Moose Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Moose 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 • 30 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 2 other waterfalls also named Moose Falls, see below

Yellowstone National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

@CarShowShooter CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

glennlewisphotography CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

jb10okie CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

rwarrin CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

tomkellyphoto CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.6 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

50 ft

About Moose Falls

Moose Falls is a picturesque 30-foot waterfall located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. It is part of Crawfish Creek and is easily accessible, making it a popular stop for visitors traveling through the southern entrance of the park.

The Setting

Moose Falls sits at 6,975 feet within Yellowstone National Park, in the high mountains of Wyoming. The falls drop 30 feet.

Height: 30 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Union Falls (260 ft) lies 10.2 miles to the west. Also nearby: Lewis Falls (30 ft, 8.2 mi).

Union Falls Lewis Falls

Trail & Hike Details

0.6 mi distance 50 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy 0.6-mile out-and-back trail gains 50 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

The trail to Moose Falls is very short and easy, making it accessible for most visitors. It leads directly from the parking area to the base of the waterfall, where you can enjoy close-up views and take photos.

What to Expect

The falls drop 30 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 Moose 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 Moose Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Moose Falls is in late spring or early summer when the water flow is strongest. Fall also offers beautiful foliage, while winter access may be limited due to snow.

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

Water temperature is currently 47°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

The area around the waterfall can be slippery, especially after rain. Stay on designated trails and avoid getting too close to the edge. Be aware of wildlife and follow park safety guidelines.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Snake River, 3.7 miles away, not on Moose Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

308 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

228 264 401 502

Based on 43 years of record

2.51 ft

Water depth at gauge

47°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is very cold at 47 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.

About This Gauge

SNAKE RIVER AB JACKSON LAKE AT FLAGG RANCH WY

USGS 13010065

3.7 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 486 sq mi

Altitude: 6,802 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SNAKE RIVER AB JACKSON LAKE AT FLAGG RANCH WY (6 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

308 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

308 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

313 cfs

8/10

Thu

Strong

339 cfs

8/10

Fri

Moderate

334 cfs

9/10

Sat

Moderate

318 cfs

9/10

Sun

Moderate

317 cfs

9/10

Mon

Moderate

322 cfs

9/10

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

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

Is Moose Falls Frozen?

Updated about 11 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded strong flow slows freezing

Moose Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 39°F to 32°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 316 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 shows the creek losing roughly 63 feet through Moose Falls over a long run of ledges. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 30 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 6,978 feet.

The ground changes about 23 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 28 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Moose Falls near Kelly, Wyoming, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Moose Falls near Kelly, Wyoming, showing about 63 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: 6,978 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 63 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

Moose Falls is located just inside the southern entrance of Yellowstone National Park, along the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway. It is a short walk from the parking area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking area near the trailhead, located off the main road. Parking may be limited during peak seasons.

Elevation

6,975 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.151829° N, -110.672692° W

Land Management

Yellowstone National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early during peak seasons to secure parking. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be slippery near the waterfall. Bring a camera to capture the stunning views.

This trail sits at 6,975 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. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.

America the Beautiful Annual Pass

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

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

Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch

8.1 486 reviews

See all hotels near Driggs

Cabins & Rentals VRBO

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

Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch

3.1 miles away · 171 sites

Reservable

Overview Availability will go live on Recreation.gov on a 6-month rolling basis for RV sites, Tent sites, and Camper Cabins. Located in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, directly between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and just minutes from both, Headwaters Campground offers the perfect basecamp for exploration. Situated in a spectacular wooded setting with rolling hills and Teton mountain views, this campground is the perfect place to unwind and unplug, as there is limi

Book on Recreation.gov