Cave Falls
250 ft-wide cascade on the Fall River; 20 ft drop, Bechler's remote viewpoint.
Check road conditions before going; the final stretch can be rough after rain.
If one parking area fills, circle to the other lot for the base or overlook.
Alpenglow potential; good light during sunrise and sunset from the overlook
Beware of slippery rocks near the base; bears are common in this area—carry bear spray and make noise while hiking. The final gravel road can be rough after ra…
Summer to early fall for best road conditions; morning light is good for the base view, late afternoon for the overlook; avoid midday glare and heavy rain that…
Natural Attraction
Silvery water spills across a 250-foot-wide curtain, dropping 20 feet into a churned pool below, framed by forest along the Bechler River. Viewpoints at the base and above the falls give two angles on the long, shallow drop. The Fall River has carved Cave Falls through ancient lava-flow terrain from the Yellowstone caldera, a clear display of water's persistent erosive power.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- Drive to the Bechler area via Bechler River Road; follow signs to Cave Falls parking; choose upper lot for overlook or lower lot for base; short trails lead to viewpoints
- Distance From Entrance
- Remote Bechler region; final approach via unpaved gravel road; drive time varies
- Road Type
- Gravel, unpaved final approach
- Parking Availability
- Two parking areas; upper lot for overlook, lower lot for base; parking can be limited, especially on peak days
- Peak Fill Times
- Parking can fill on weekends during peak season; arrive early
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Summer to early fall for best road conditions; morning light is good for the base view, late afternoon for the overlook; avoid midday glare and heavy rain that roughens the road.
- Best Visit Times
- Summer to early fall; avoid mid-winter closure
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Alpenglow potential; good light during sunrise and sunset from the overlook
- Best Season
- Summer to early fall
- Busiest Season
- Summer
- Seasonal Access
- Road rough in winter; typically accessible in summer and fall
- Road Opening Dates
- Varies with snowmelt; typically open mid to late spring through fall
- Snow Lingering
- Spring snowpack can linger into late spring in some years, affecting road conditions; access is most reliable from summer through early fall.
- Winter Access
- Not accessible; snow and unplowed roads prevent access
- Weather Patterns
- Summer thunderstorms possible; road conditions deteriorate with rain; snow can linger into spring
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Geological Formation
- Main Features
- Widest waterfall in Yellowstone; 250 ft wide; 20 ft tall; Fall River; remote Bechler region; lava-flow terrain underlying
- What Youll See
- A broad 250 ft-wide curtain of water drops 20 ft into a swift pool; forested riverbanks frame the scene; two viewing points—base and overlook
- Unique Characteristics
- Bechler’s widest waterfall; remote Bechler region setting; erosion of ancient lava-flow terrain by the Fall River; dual viewing platforms
- Photo Opportunities
- Wide-angle captures of the curtain; spray halos in morning or late afternoon; long-exposure shots during calmer spray
- Photography Spots
- Base riverbank viewpoint; overlook above the falls; morning and late afternoon lighting
- Best Viewpoints
- Upper overlook above the falls; base along the riverbank
- Common Wildlife
- Ospreys nesting; bears in the area; frogs near the falls
- Best Wildlife Times
- Spring–early summer for birds; bears can be encountered year-round
- Geological Formation Type
- Lava-flow terrain underlying; canyon carved by erosion from the Fall River
- Scientific Interest
- Cave Falls is Yellowstone's widest waterfall. It forms when Fall River cascades over a basalt ledge created by ancient lava flows, and sits in the remote Bechler area of the park.
- Stargazing Quality
- Remote Bechler region with dark skies; good stargazing when skies are clear
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- Park entrance fee applies; no separate Cave Falls viewing fee
- Permits Required
- No
- Restrooms Available
- Yes
- Restroom Type
- Vault toilets
- Picnic Areas
- No
- Water Available
- Yes
- Cell Service
- Unreliable or non-existent
- Interpretive Signs
- No
- Accessibility
- Short, easy trails; unpaved road to access; bear country considerations
- Accessibility Level
- Drive-up view with short trails; easy base and overlook; unpaved final approach may challenge some vehicles
- Nearby Services
- Cave Falls Campground; vault toilets; potable water at campground
- Nearby Facilities
- Vault toilets at trailhead; potable water at Cave Falls Campground
- Family Friendly Notes
- Short walks; keep children away from water edges; bear country requires vigilance
Safety
- Safety Considerations
- Beware of slippery rocks near the base; bears are common in this area—carry bear spray and make noise while hiking. The final gravel road can be rough after rain; stay off the edge and drive cautiously.
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- Bechler Falls; Bechler River Trail system
- Connecting Trails
- Bechler River Trail network linking to other Bechler waterfalls and backcountry routes
- Trailheads Here
- Bechler River Trail junctions; base and overlook trail starts from parking areas
Planning advice
- Insider Tips
- Check road conditions before going; the final stretch can be rough after rain.
- If one parking area fills, circle to the other lot for the base or overlook.
- Be prepared for limited cell reception and bear activity.
- The morning base view and late-afternoon overlook offer different lighting, choose accordingly.
- Tips Advice
- Bear spray is highly recommended in this bear country.
- Wear sturdy footwear; wet rocks near the base can be slick.
- Final approach is gravel; a higher-clearance vehicle helps.
- Parking can fill; allow extra time and use both lots if needed.
- Cell service is unreliable; download maps offline before you go.
More details
- Park Area
- Bechler region, Yellowstone National Park
- Elevation Feet
- 7000
- Visitor Center Present
- No
- Guided Tours Available
- No
- Waterfall Height
- 20 ft
- Waterfall Flow Rate
- Swift; higher during snowmelt
- Fishing Species
- No specific fishing species are documented for Cave Falls in the available materials.
- Fishing Nearby
- No
- Swimming Allowed
- No
- Boating Allowed
- No
- Climbing Areas
- No
- Review Summary
- Cave Falls draws a small, dedicated crowd attracted by its remoteness and the breadth of the falls. Rating sits at 4.6 from 19 reviews, with visitors noting the easy access and the wilderness feel of Bechler. The combination of a wide curtain of water and a compact, user-friendly setup makes it a memorable stop in a quiet corner of Yellowstone.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?
Parking can be limited, especially during peak times. Aim to go early in the day or consider the later afternoon window when crowds thin slightly.
Is it worth the 0.3 mile hike to the base/viewpoint?
Yes. The base offers a close-up perspective of a broad, 250 ft-wide cascade, and the overlook provides a different angle with forest and river framing the scene.
Can I bring my dog to the trail?
Dog access policies are not specified here; verify Yellowstone regulations before visiting and keep dogs on leash if allowed.
Is the water actually blue, or is that just in photos?
The water appears white and swift, typical of a river with swift current and spray; color is influenced by lighting and water clarity rather than a blue pool.
Will I be able to access Cave Falls during winter?
Winter access is not listed as available; road conditions and snow typically render Bechler routes closed in winter months.
More at Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring
Rainbow rim of a hot spring; colors arise from thermophiles in Yellowstone's volcanic system.
Yellowstone Lake
Caldera lake tilted by resurgent domes; hydrothermal vents dot the lakebed.
Lake Butte Overlook
Panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake from the caldera rim; distant Tetons on clear days.
Artist Point
Lower Falls overlook; canyon walls colored by hydrothermal alteration of rhyolite.
Gibbon River
84 ft Gibbon Falls; river through hydrothermal basins along Grand Loop Road.
Gibbon Falls
84-foot cascade over an ancient Yellowstone lava flow; drive-up overlook with a wheelchair-friendly path.
Sources
- trailsoffroad.com
- usda.gov
- world-of-waterfalls.com
- utahsadventurefamily.com
- youtube.com
- rexburgonline.com
- thedyrt.com
- yellowstone.co
- blogspot.com
- nps.gov
- wikipedia.org
- reddit.com
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.