Are there fees or permits required for South Fork Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit South Fork Falls.

Is swimming allowed at South Fork Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at South Fork Falls.

South Fork Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at South Fork Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at South Fork 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

Also For 2 other waterfalls also named South Fork Falls, see below

Teton National Forest NF · US Forest Service

Photo Credits (5)

U.S. Geological Survey Public Domain · USGS

Ken Lund CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Type

Out And Back

About South Fork Falls

South Fork Falls is on the South Buffalo Fork in the Teton Wilderness of Bridger-Teton National Forest, northwest of Togwotee Pass. It sits beside the South Fork Buffalo Trail (#6053), deep in roadless backcountry, so reaching it is a long day or an overnight trip rather than a short hike. This is grizzly country with no services.

The Setting

South Fork Falls sits at 7,730 feet within Teton National Forest, in the high mountains of Wyoming.

Trail & Hike Details

USFS Trail

SOUTH FORK BUFFALO TRAIL #6053

Trail Class

Developed

Surface

Native Material

USFS Segment

4.71 mi

Trail Description

The South Fork Buffalo Trail (#6053) follows the South Buffalo Fork upstream into the Teton Wilderness and passes near the falls; the Cub Creek (#6056) and Nowlin Meadow (#6052) trails meet it nearby. Turpin Meadow Trailhead is the main access to this part of the wilderness. No published source gives the distance to the falls, so plan with a detailed map.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

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 South Fork 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 South Fork Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Late spring through early fall is the best time to visit, as the trail conditions are typically more favorable and the waterfall flow is stronger 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 Teton National Forest for seasonal road closures.

Safety Information

The area has a high density of grizzly bears: carry bear spray and follow the forest food storage order. River crossings can be dangerous during snowmelt.

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 South Fork Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

South Fork Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 51°F to 30°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: no gauge

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 bare-earth surface loses about 103 feet through the falls, but gradually, the profile of a cascade rather than a plunge. The ground at the falls is roughly 7,723 feet above sea level.

The whole reach is steep: about 210 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 79 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around South Fork Falls near Dubois, Wyoming, showing about 103 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing north

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 7,723 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 103 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; 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 north).

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

Location & Access

Getting There

From Moran, drive east on US 26/287 about 3.4 miles, turn left on Buffalo Valley Road (FS 30050) for about 9.7 miles, then left on Turpin Meadow Loop (FS 30065) for 0.5 mile to the Turpin Meadow Trailhead.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Trailhead parking is at the end of FS 30065 just past Turpin Meadow Campground, with vault toilets and no potable water at the trailhead.

Elevation

7,730 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.861338° N, -110.064350° W

Land Management

Teton National Forest NF

Managed by USFS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start your hike early to avoid crowds and ensure you have enough daylight for the return trip. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and check the weather forecast before heading out.

This trail sits at 7,730 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 31% 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.

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

Pinnacles Campground

8.1 miles away · 0 sites

This campground hosts 21 campsites with dramatic views near Brooks Lake. Angling and flyfishing opportunities are nearby, with a boat ramp at Brooks Lake. Fantastic geologic formations at Pinnacle Butte can be seen on the drive in to the campground. Maximum spur 32 feet.Picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes, and garbage collection are available.This site is not accessible to those with mobility impairments.

Book on Recreation.gov