Undine Falls: 60-Foot Basalt Waterfall on Lava Creek Near Mammoth

Undine Falls, Yellowstone National Park, framed by evergreen trees along a rocky gorge.

Dark basalt frames a three-part cascade, with spray sweeping the overlook as water plunges about 60 feet. From the roadside pullout, a short 100-foot walk reveals the bold drop, while the Lava Creek Trail offers closer perspectives along the brink (0.4 miles one-way). This falls sits on a 700,000-year-old basalt layer, older than the Lava Creek Tuff eruption that reshaped the Yellowstone story. A longer hike from the Lava Creek Picnic Area reaches the brink for a more visceral view.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 44.9436930, -110.6404550
Accessibility: Short overlook with unpaved paths; stairs on Lava Creek Trail; not fully paved

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Lava Creek Picnic Area, Lava Creek Trail, Wraith Falls nearby
Nearby Facilities: Lava Creek Picnic Area restrooms; parking; water not guaranteed at viewpoint
Best Time To Visit: Spring for higher flow from snowmelt; May–October is best for hiking; golden-hour light in the afternoon; evening light good for long exposures; avoid midday glare.
Tips Advice: Drive-up view via roadside pullout; small parking area; peak-season parking can fill early.
Lava Creek Trail to the brink adds ~0.4 miles one-way (0.8 miles round trip).
Winter: overlook stairs can be icy; wear traction cleats.
Bear spray and distance from wildlife are prudent; stay on designated paths.
Carry water; no explicit potable water at the viewpoint.
Insider Tips: Look for basalt textures at the brink.
Bring traction cleats in snow; bear spray in season.
Short walk from pullout; 0.4 miles to brink via Lava Creek Trail

More details

Park Area: Yellowstone National Park
Family Friendly Notes: Easy overlook; supervise children near edge; wildlife awareness is essential
Attraction Type: Waterfall
Elevation Feet: 6592
Distance From Entrance: Drive-up view from a roadside pullout; official overlook ~100 ft walk; Lava Creek Trail adds 0.4 miles one-way to the brink
Accessibility Level: Drive-up view; short, unpaved approach; some stairs on the overlook; Lava Creek Trail is flat with a steep brink
How To Get There: From the Lava Creek Picnic Area, use the Lava Creek Trail for the closer view or pull into the roadside pullout for the overlook; follow signs to Undine Falls from Mammoth area.
Parking Availability: Small parking area at roadside pullout; Lava Creek Picnic Area parking; lots fill during peak season
Road Type: Paved main road to pullout; short, unpaved approach to the overlook
Seasonal Access: Year-round access with winter closures possible due to snow
Entry Fees: Varies
Main Features: Three-part, 60-foot waterfall over a 700,000-year-old basalt lava flow
What Youll See: Dark basalt cliff, three plunges, mist ribbons, and Lava Creek flowing past the brink toward a basin below
Unique Characteristics: Basalt from an ancient Lava Creek flow predates the Lava Creek Tuff eruption, providing an early window into Yellowstone's caldera history
Safety Considerations: Gravity hazards at cliffs; icy stairs in winter; bears present; main overlook is fenced; off-trail edges are unprotected
Best Viewpoints: Main overlook from the roadside pullout; secondary viewpoints along Lava Creek Trail toward the brink
Photo Opportunities: Golden-hour portraits from the overlook; long-exposure shots of the cascades; close-ups from the brink
Photography Spots: Overlook for standard shot; brink vantage for dramatic perspective; dusk exposures
Sunrise Sunset Quality: Afternoon alpenglow potential; good for dusk photography
Visitor Center Present: 0
Restrooms Available: 1
Restroom Type: Vault toilets
Picnic Areas: 1
Interpretive Signs: 0
Cell Service: Spotty
Water Available: 0
Guided Tours Available: 0
Trailheads Here: Lava Creek Trail (to brink and overlook)
Connecting Trails: Lava Creek Trail
Nearby Services: Lava Creek Picnic Area restrooms; parking; no explicit water at viewpoint
Common Wildlife: Bison, elk, marmots; bears in the area
Best Wildlife Times: Wildlife can be seen along the Lava Creek Trail; mornings and evenings tend to be best during spring through fall
Geological Formation Type: Basalt lava flow; three-plunge waterfall
Scientific Interest: Early basalt flow dating (700,000 years); pre-caldera history clues for Yellowstone
Snow Lingering: Spring snowmelt lingers into late spring
Winter Access: Limited; winter closures possible; icy stairs require traction
Best Visit Times: May–October; avoid midday glare; afternoon light ideal
Best Season: Spring to autumn; May–October
Weather Patterns: Spring snowmelt drives flow; winter brings snow and icy surfaces; bears active season
Peak Fill Times: Parking fills by peak season; expect overflow June–September
Busiest Season: Summer (June–September)
Waterfall Height: 60 ft
Waterfall Flow Rate: Spring peak due to snowmelt; variable with season
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 0
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: Undine Falls offers quick access to a basalt-driven cascade with a three-part descent. The geology is clear, and the overlook makes the flow feel intimate, but edge hazards require caution.