LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Sweetwater Creek Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainAbout Sweetwater Creek Falls
Sweetwater Creek Falls is a USGS-named waterfall in the Absaroka Range of Shoshone National Forest in Park County, Wyoming, on the Jaggar Peak quadrangle about 1.3 miles from Mount Pleasant and 1.9 miles from Sunlight Peak. We found no published trail, photos or trip reports for it. Treat it as a remote backcountry destination and check with the Shoshone National Forest Wapiti Ranger District before planning a trip.
The Setting
Sweetwater Creek Falls sits at 8,337 feet within Shoshone National Forest, in the high alpine of Wyoming.
Trail & Hike Details
Accessibility
The trail is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for those with limited mobility due to uneven terrain and elevation gain.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Sweetwater Creek Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Sweetwater Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are ideal for visiting, as the falls are typically at their fullest due to snowmelt. Fall offers cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage.
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 Shoshone National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
The trail can be slippery after rain, and the remote location means cell service may be limited. Visitors should inform someone of their plans and carry a first aid kit. Be cautious of wildlife and avoid leaving food unattended.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on North Fork Shoshone River, 18.1 miles away, not on Sweetwater Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
185 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 37 years of record
3.11 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 regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge NORTH FORK SHOSHONE RIVER AT WAPITI, WY (29 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
185 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
182 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
188 cfs
5/10Wed
Barely Flowing
217 cfs
3/10Thu
Low
224 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
227 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
208 cfs
4/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly 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 Cooke City hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Sweetwater Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 16 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately 2 more freezing days forecast
Sweetwater Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 48°F to 32°F. 2 freezing days are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 2 of the next 7
- Flow
- 185 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 382 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 8,360 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 171 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 138 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face east and catch soft morning light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 8,360 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 382 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- East
- Catches soft morning light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading east).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
8,337 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.592148° N, -109.745265° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
This trail sits at 8,337 ft — the air is noticeably thinner
High AltitudeSome 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
Pure Heart Retreat
Yellowstone Valley Inn
Green Creek Inn and RV Park
Trail Shop Inn
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
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.
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Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be aware of the potential presence of bears and take appropriate precautions.
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