Firehole Falls
40 ft cascade over rhyolite — roadside viewing, easily accessible.
Experiment with angles from river pull-offs to capture the falls from different viewpoints.
Shoulder seasons reduce crowds while keeping good light.
Not documented
Gravity risk near the canyon edge; wet, slippery rocks near water; upstream geothermally heated water; no barriers at the immediate viewpoint; sturdy footwear…
Natural Attraction
A 40-foot cascade spills over pale rhyolite along Firehole Canyon, throwing mist across the roadside. The river’s steady cutting through volcanic rock has carved the canyon; geothermally heated water upstream and the hard rhyolite shape the scene from the road.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- From Madison Junction, take Firehole Canyon Drive; follow the one-way loop; pull-offs directly across from the falls provide viewing.
- Distance From Entrance
- Not applicable; roadside viewing along Firehole Canyon Drive.
- Road Type
- Paved
- Parking Availability
- Small lot; additional pull-offs along Firehole Canyon Drive; fills up in peak season.
- Peak Fill Times
- Not documented
- GPS Coordinates
- 44.6308, -110.8636
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Firehole Canyon Drive is seasonal, generally open from late spring through October, weather permitting. For photography and solitude, plan for early morning or late afternoon when light is softer and crowds are lighter.
- Best Visit Times
- Early morning or late afternoon; shoulder seasons help reduce crowds.
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Not documented
- Best Season
- Shoulder seasons (spring or fall)
- Busiest Season
- Summer months (June, July, August)
- Seasonal Access
- Open late May/early June through October; weather permitting.
- Road Opening Dates
- Late May/early June through October
- Snow Lingering
- Not documented
- Winter Access
- Not documented
- Weather Patterns
- Seasonal open window: late May/early June through October; conditions vary with weather.
- Wildflower Peak
- Not documented
- Fall Colors Peak
- Not documented
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Geological Formation
- Main Features
- 40 ft cascade; rhyolite canyon walls; Firehole River; geothermally heated downstream water
- What Youll See
- Rhyolite canyon walls, a 40 ft waterfall, mist at the base, and a roadside viewpoint across from the falls.
- Unique Characteristics
- Rhyolite bedrock from Yellowstone volcanism; a historic fish-migration barrier; geothermal influence on downstream river water.
- Photo Opportunities
- Golden-hour lighting from pull-offs; base mist for dramatic compositions; canyon walls as a backdrop.
- Photography Spots
- Opposite the falls from the roadside pull-off; downstream pull-off angles; golden-hour backdrops.
- Best Viewpoints
- Across from the falls at the roadside pull-off.
- Common Wildlife
- Bison, elk, bald eagles
- Best Wildlife Times
- Wildlife can be seen along the drive and near the river.
- Geological Formation Type
- Rhyolite canyon with cascade
- Scientific Interest
- Yellowstone volcanic and hydrothermal system; visible rhyolite bedrock; erosional interplay and fish-migration barrier
- Stargazing Quality
- Not documented
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- Varies
- Permits Required
- No
- Restrooms Available
- Yes
- Restroom Type
- Vault toilets
- Picnic Areas
- No
- Water Available
- No
- Cell Service
- Cell service along Firehole Canyon Drive is limited or nonexistent; the turnout near the falls has no reliable signal.
- Interpretive Signs
- No
- Accessibility
- Drive-up roadside viewing; paved; easy from parking
- Accessibility Level
- Drive-up view, roadside pull-off; easy access from parking.
- Nearby Services
- Madison Junction; West Yellowstone; Old Faithful
- Nearby Facilities
- Madison Junction; West Yellowstone; Old Faithful
- Family Friendly Notes
- Vault toilets; easy access from pull-offs; beware of edge and slippery rocks near water
Safety
- Safety Considerations
- Gravity risk near the canyon edge; wet, slippery rocks near water; upstream geothermally heated water; no barriers at the immediate viewpoint; sturdy footwear if exploring river trails.
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- Cascades of the Firehole; Firehole River Swimming Area; Madison Junction; West Yellowstone; Old Faithful
- Connecting Trails
- Firehole Canyon Drive viewpoints; coupled pull-offs along the river
- Trailheads Here
- No formal falls-specific trails; pull-off viewpoints from Firehole Canyon Drive may offer alternate angles.
Planning advice
- Insider Tips
- Experiment with angles from river pull-offs to capture the falls from different viewpoints.
- Shoulder seasons reduce crowds while keeping good light.
- The spray can wet lenses—bring a microfiber and extra ND filters if you shoot long exposures.
- Tips Advice
- Park at the small lot or pull-offs; parking can fill during peak season.
- Stand across from the falls for a clean, instant geology view.
- If you want alternative angles, explore trails near the river from the pull-offs with caution.
- Dress for slick rocks and keep a safe distance from the canyon edge.
More details
- Park Area
- Yellowstone National Park
- Recent Updates
- No recent updates.
- Elevation Feet
- 7200
- Visitor Center Present
- No
- Guided Tours Available
- No
- Waterfall Height
- 40 ft (12 m)
- Waterfall Flow Rate
- Not documented
- Fishing Species
- Introduced trout species in upper Firehole River; renowned fishery
- Fishing Nearby
- Yes
- Swimming Allowed
- Yes
- Boating Allowed
- No
- Climbing Areas
- No
- Review Summary
- Firehole Falls is a 40-foot cascade on the Firehole River, set in Firehole Canyon where 800-foot rhyolite walls rise on either side. The river here runs geothermally heated in places, shaping the local ecology. The falls are visible from a small turnout along Firehole Canyon Drive, with minimal hiking required from the parking area. Be mindful of slick rocks and wildlife; parking can be limited during peak times because the lot is small and the road is seasonal.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?
Parking can fill during peak season; arriving early reduces the chance you’ll circle for a spot and helps you secure a clean view across from the falls.
Is it worth a quick roadside stop if I’m short on time?
Yes. It’s a brief, geology-rich moment—a 40 ft cascade over rhyolite with a view that makes a strong case for Yellowstone’s volcanic+erosional story.
Can I see wildlife along the Firehole Canyon Drive?
Yes. Wildlife such as bison, elk, and bald eagles can be seen along the drive and near the river; stay at a safe distance and don’t approach animals.
Is the water warm because of geothermal activity?
Upstream water is geothermally heated, but downstream swimming areas are cool; the falls themselves are a freshwater cascade and not a hot-water feature.
Are interpretive signs available at Firehole Falls?
Signage specific to Firehole Falls isn’t readily available; use the roadside context to connect the geology and ecology of the Firehole River.
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
- grokipedia.com
- wikipedia.org
- kiddle.co
- world-of-waterfalls.com
- yellowstone.org
- thelonghornranch.com
- youtube.com
- wanderlog.com
- yellowstonepark.com
- annestravels.net
- wheree.com
- nps.gov
- usgs.gov
- 10adventures.com
- sunshinewhispers.com
- yellowstonenationalparklodges.com
- usgs.gov
- 57hours.com
- ebsco.com
- topographic-map.com
- grizzlyrv.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.