Are there fees or permits required for Tempe Cascade?

No, there are no fees required to visit Tempe Cascade.

Is swimming allowed at Tempe Cascade?

No, swimming is not allowed at Tempe Cascade.

Nearby gauge (Firehole River) · 38 ft³/s · Much lower than usual

Tempe Cascade

Q: Are dogs allowed at Tempe Cascade?

No, dogs are not allowed at Tempe Cascade. 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

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Yellowstone National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

National Park Service Public Domain · National Park Service

About Tempe Cascade

Tempe Cascade is a quiet, lesser-known waterfall tucked inside Yellowstone National Park and managed by the National Park Service. Surrounded by the park’s rugged landscapes, it rewards visitors seeking a more solitary nature experience with scenic cascades and the hush of forested backcountry — a pleasant contrast to the park’s busier thermal areas. Because the waterfall sits within NPS territory, visitors should plan according to park regulations and seasonal trail conditions, bringing appropriate footwear and supplies for a moderate backcountry hike.

The Setting

Tempe Cascade sits at 7,920 feet within Yellowstone National Park, in the high mountains of Wyoming.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Sluiceway Falls (10 ft) lies 1.6 miles to the south.

Sluiceway Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Difficulty: Moderate. Trail type: Out-and-back. Managed by: National Park Service (Yellowstone National Park). Note: The available data does not specify an official trail number, surface type, or formal USFS trail class for this route. Hikers should expect typical park trail conditions and check current Yellowstone trail status with the NPS before setting out.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a peaceful and remote waterfall experience, surrounded by Wyoming's natural landscapes. The area may have limited facilities and signage.

Accessibility

Accessibility information is not available. The trail may not be suitable for individuals with mobility challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Tempe Cascade?

❌ 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?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Tempe Cascade?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are typically the best times to visit, as snowmelt may enhance the waterfall's flow.

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 42°F — cold enough to cause numbness quickly. Avoid prolonged water contact and use caution near the falls.

The trail may be unmarked and rugged. Visitors should prepare for remote conditions, carry sufficient supplies, and inform someone of their plans. Be cautious of wildlife and changing weather conditions.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Firehole River, 11.2 miles away, not on Tempe Cascade's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

38 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

2.43 ft

Water depth at gauge

42°F

Very cold

Expect numbness within minutes

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. Water temperature is very cold at 42 degrees F, expect numbness within minutes.

About This Gauge

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

Firehole River at Old Faithful, YNP

USGS 06036805

11.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 40 sq mi

Altitude: 7,340 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Firehole River at Old Faithful, YNP (18 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

39 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

39 cfs

5/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

38 cfs

5/10

Thu

Barely Flowing

38 cfs

5/10

Fri

Barely Flowing

39 cfs

5/10

Sat

Low

42 cfs

4/10

Sun

Low

44 cfs

4/10

Mon

Low

43 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 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 West Yellowstone hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Tempe Cascade Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately 1 more freezing day forecast

Tempe Cascade is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 43°F to 27°F. 1 freezing day are forecast, so ice may start to form.

Days below freezing: 2 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 1 of the next 7
Flow: 40 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 100 feet through Tempe Cascade over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 7,930 feet.

The ground changes about 50 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 91 feet in the 500 feet below. 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 Tempe Cascade near West Yellowstone, Wyoming, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Tempe Cascade near West Yellowstone, Wyoming, showing about 100 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 7,930 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 100 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

Specific directions to Tempe Cascade are not well-documented. Visitors are advised to consult local maps or contact nearby ranger stations for guidance.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Parking availability is unclear. Visitors may need to park along nearby roads or designated areas if available.

Elevation

7,920 feet above sea level

Coordinates

44.301598° N, -110.870491° W

Land Management

Yellowstone National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Bring a detailed map or GPS device, as the trail may not be well-marked. Check weather conditions before visiting, and wear sturdy footwear suitable for uneven terrain.

This trail sits at 7,920 ft above sea level

Elevated Trail

UV radiation is roughly 32% 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

Old Faithful Inn

11.1 miles away · 0 sites

The Old Faithful Inn, built in 1903 and a member of Historic Hotels of America® since 2012 was designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior as a National Historic Landmark in 1987. Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation® for recognizing and celebrating the finest historic hotels across America. Old Faithful Inn, a rustic-style lodge with a log and wood shingle exterior, is adjacent to the world-famous Old Faithful Geyser. The origina

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