Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Upper Falls
Upper Falls is a large waterfall on the upper Gros Ventre River in the Gros Ventre Wilderness of Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Chateau Lake and Little Grizzly Basin below Darwin Peak. The Forest Service describes it as a large waterfall at the end of a big meadow on the Gros Ventre River Trail (#4081), upstream of Ouzel Falls, with good camping nearby. It is a long wilderness trip, not a short walk.
The Setting
Upper Falls sits at 8,753 feet within Teton National Forest, in the high alpine of Wyoming.
Trail & Hike Details
USFS Trail
BIG COW CREEK #4083
Trail Class
Developed
Surface
USFS Segment
0.77 miTrail Description
The Gros Ventre River Trail (#4081, rated intermediate by the Forest Service) follows the river upstream past Ouzel Falls and through large open meadows to Upper Falls. Just below the falls a junction leads up the Jagg Creek Trail to Cowboy Camp, and above the falls the trail reaches another meadow and the Grizzly Basin Trail junction near Chateau Lakes. We found no published one-way distance from the trailheads 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 Upper Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Bridger-Teton National Forest trails and backcountry unless posted otherwise.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Upper Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
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 Gros Ventre River Trail between Horn Ranch and Darwin Ranch is unmaintained and has several landslides that make it hard to follow. Bridger-Teton food storage rules apply on this district.
Know when to go.
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Is Upper Falls Frozen?
Updated about 21 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Upper Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 36°F to 26°F.
- Days below freezing
- 1 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 ground through the falls loses about 153 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 8,757 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 51 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 140 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 8,757 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 153 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
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
The Gros Ventre River Trail can be reached from the Kinky Creek Trailhead, which has a gate and large parking area, or from Horn Ranch at the end of Gros Ventre Road; it also connects with the Crystal Creek, Swift Creek, Shoal Falls, Jagg Creek and Dry Fork trails. The section between Horn Ranch and Darwin Ranch is unmaintained with several landslides, and the Darwin Ranch spur is private property that requires the ranch's permission.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
The Kinky Creek Trailhead has a large parking area at a gate.
Elevation
8,753 feet above sea level
Coordinates
43.423830° N, -110.253794° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
For current trail conditions, call the Bridger-Teton trail supervisor at 307-739-5414. Bridger-Teton food storage rules apply in this area.
This trail sits at 8,753 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.
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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.
Where to Stay
Crooked Creek Guest Ranch
Studio Cabin with Mtn Views by the Green River!
Cozy Cora Studio Cabin w/ Wind River Mtn Views
Abode at Grand Teton Vista
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
Whiskey Grove Campground
16.7 miles away · 10 sites
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Nearby Attractions
Ouzel Falls, Chateau Lakes, Grizzly Basin Trail to Brewster Lake, and Cowboy Camp via the Jagg Creek Trail.
Wildlife
An outfitter camp operates in the meadow above the falls in summer.
Cities near Upper Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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