Is swimming allowed at Spalding Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Spalding Falls.

Nearby gauge (Snake River) · 848 ft³/s · About average

Spalding Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Spalding Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Spalding Falls. Pets aren't allowed on any trail, pathway or in the backcountry in Grand Teton National Park; they must stay within 30 feet of roads.

Wyoming • Grand Teton National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

Partly frozen · 0 days below freezing LiDAR & 3D terrain

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Grand Teton National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

National Park Service Public Domain · National Park Service

Sjroot97 CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

stilldavid CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Length

9.4 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

2,560 ft

About Spalding Falls

Spalding Falls is an intermittent cascade of about 100 feet in Garnet Canyon, Grand Teton National Park, fed by snowmelt and the Middle Teton Glacier. It flows best in late spring and early summer. The falls are reached on the Garnet Canyon climbers' route from the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, about 4.5 miles one way, where the route switchbacks up past the falls above The Meadows.

The Setting

Spalding Falls sits at 10,013 feet within Grand Teton National Park, in the high alpine of Wyoming.

Trail & Hike Details

9.4 mi distance 2,560 ft climbed

The Approach

The hard 9.4-mile out-and-back trail gains 2,560 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

From the Lupine Meadows Trailhead, follow the Valley Trail about 1.5 miles to the Garnet Canyon Trail, which enters the canyon around mile 3. Maintained trail ends about mile 4 at a boulder field where the path disappears, and the route continues as an unmaintained climbers' trail past The Platforms camping area to The Meadows, where Spalding Falls tumbles down the slope; the trail switchbacks up near the falls around mile 4.6. A round trip to The Meadows is about 9.4 miles with roughly 2,560 feet of gain.

What to Expect

Views of the falls with the Middle Teton above. Past mile 4 the route crosses boulder fields that require scrambling, and snowfields can linger into July.

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 Spalding Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets aren't allowed on any trail, pathway or in the backcountry in Grand Teton National Park; they must stay within 30 feet of roads.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $35.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Spalding Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Late spring and early summer, when snowmelt feeds the intermittent falls; check for lingering snowfields in Garnet Canyon.

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 Grand Teton National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Beyond mile 4 the route is unmaintained and crosses boulder fields where the trail disappears.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Snake River, 6.6 miles away, not on Spalding Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

848 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

784 849 1.1k 1.2k

Based on 31 years of record

8.85 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

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

SNAKE RIVER AT MOOSE, WY

USGS 13013650

6.6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 1,674 sq mi

Altitude: 6,450 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SNAKE RIVER AT MOOSE, WY (11 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

848 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

848 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

857 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

824 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

844 cfs

5/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

885 cfs

3/10

Sun

Low

910 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

916 cfs

4/10

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

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early May to early August, 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 Teton Village hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Spalding Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Partly frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing 4 more freezing days forecast

Spalding Falls is probably icing up: 9 freezing days in the last two weeks, with 4 more freezing days in the forecast. Expect icicles and ice at the edges with water still running through the middle.

Days below freezing: 9 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 4 of the next 7
Flow: 869 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 Spalding Falls dropping about 357 feet in a single sheer step. The brink sits at about 10,006 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 316 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 334 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing southeast, the falls sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Spalding Falls near Teton Village, Wyoming, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Spalding Falls near Teton Village, Wyoming, showing about 357 feet of drop, a single sheer drop, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 10,006 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 357 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Start at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead in Grand Teton National Park and follow the Valley Trail to the Garnet Canyon Trail junction.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

The Lupine Meadows Trailhead lot is very busy with day hikers and climbers; arrive early to get a space.

Elevation

10,013 feet above sea level

Coordinates

43.728542° N, -110.796880° W

Land Management

Grand Teton National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start early to climb the exposed slopes in the cool of the morning. Bears are often seen in the brushy meadows along the trail, so make noise and hike in a group.

This trail sits at 10,013 ft — roughly 30% less oxygen than sea level

Extreme Altitude

At this elevation, altitude sickness is a real concern. Monitor how you feel, take frequent rest breaks, and descend if symptoms worsen. Visitors arriving from lower elevations should allow time to acclimatize.

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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.

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter

Monitor blood oxygen in real time — SpO2 commonly drops to 85–90% above 10,000 ft.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

This challenging 9.4 miles trail gains 2,560 ft in elevation — come prepared with proper hiking boots and trekking poles. 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.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter

The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.

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.

Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof

Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.

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

TETON CANYON

6.4 miles away · 27 sites

Reservable

Overview Teton Canyon Campground is located in beautiful Teton Canyon at an elevation of approximately 6,500 feet. Driggs, Idaho is just 11 miles away. Hiking, backpacking and horseback riding are popular activities in this scenic region.Recreation The towering Teton Range and Jedediah Smith Wilderness are adjacent to the canyon. Excellent hiking, backpacking and horseback riding opportunities abound, with trails leaving from the campground. A horse staging area is located at the trailhead parkin

Book on Recreation.gov