Are there fees or permits required for Porcupine Creek Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Porcupine Creek Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Porcupine Creek Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Porcupine Creek Falls.

Nearby gauge (New Fork River) · 26 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Porcupine Creek Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Porcupine Creek Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Porcupine Creek Falls. Dogs are allowed on Bridger-Teton National Forest and wilderness trails but must be kept under control at all times, and leashed in campgrounds and other developed sites.

Wyoming

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Bridger National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (1)

NOAA Office for Coastal Management / The USDA-FSA Aerial Photography Field office (crediting while reuse is desired as Courtesy Attribution) Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Porcupine Creek Falls

Porcupine Creek Falls is on Porcupine Creek in the Bridger Wilderness of Bridger-Teton National Forest, just south of Lower Green River Lake in the northern Wind River Range. It lies along the New Fork/Porcupine Trail (#7137), which climbs Porcupine Creek from the Green River valley toward Porcupine Pass. The hike starts at the Green River Lake Trailhead north of Pinedale.

The Setting

Porcupine Creek Falls sits at 8,274 feet within Bridger National Forest, in the high alpine of Wyoming.

Trail & Hike Details

USFS Trail

NEW FORK/PORCUPINE #7137

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

USFS Segment

8.29 mi

Trail Description

From the Green River Lake Trailhead, follow the Lakeside Trail (#144) along the west shore of Lower Green River Lake for about 3.1 miles to its junction with the New Fork/Porcupine Trail (#7137), or use the Highline Trail on the east shore. The Porcupine Trail then climbs switchbacks beside Porcupine Creek past the falls. No source publishes the exact distance to the falls.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Porcupine Creek Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Bridger-Teton National Forest and wilderness trails but must be kept under control at all times, and leashed in campgrounds and other developed sites.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Porcupine Creek Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit Porcupine Creek Falls is during late spring through early fall when the trail is most accessible, and the water flow is strong.

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 Bridger National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

Creek crossings on the Porcupine Trail can be high in June and July. This is grizzly bear country; carry bear spray and store food properly.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on New Fork River, 10.8 miles away, not on Porcupine Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

26 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

2.71 ft

Water depth at gauge

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.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

New Fork River ab New Fork Lakes, nr Cora, WY

USGS 09192750

10.8 miles from waterfall

Altitude: 7,880 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge New Fork River ab New Fork Lakes, nr Cora, WY (17 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

26 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

26 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

26 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

26 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

26 cfs

5/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

28 cfs

3/10

Sun

Low

29 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

29 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 late 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 Dubois hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Porcupine Creek Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

Porcupine Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 52°F to 33°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 27 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 258 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 8,329 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 141 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 168 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Porcupine Creek Falls near Dubois, Wyoming, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Porcupine Creek Falls near Dubois, Wyoming, showing about 258 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: 8,329 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 258 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

From Pinedale, drive 7 miles west on US 191, turn north on WY 352 for about 30 miles to the national forest boundary where the pavement ends, then continue 17 miles on Forest Road 600 to Green River Lakes Campground and the Green River Lake Trailhead. In 2026 the Green River Lakes Road is under major reconstruction, so expect delays.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park at the Green River Lake Trailhead, which has two large lots for hikers and stock users, vault toilets and no fee. The adjacent campground has no potable water in 2026 because the system was damaged in the 2025 Dollar Lake Fire.

Elevation

8,274 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.276336° N, -109.838492° W

Land Management

Bridger National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Check weather conditions before your visit, as the trail can become muddy or slippery after rain. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a map or GPS device, as cell service may be limited in the area.

This trail sits at 8,274 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

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

Nearby Campground

Green River Lake Lodge

2.7 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview The Green River Lakes Lodge is located 50 miles north of Pinedale, Wyoming. The lodge is available as a rental for day use events such as weddings, family reunions, or meetings for up to 50 guests, or as an overnight rental for smaller groups of up to 12 guests. Recreation During the summer months, hiking and horseback riding into the Bridger Wilderness and Wind River Range are popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the area. The lake is open to small watercraft only, making it an exc

Book on Recreation.gov