Natural AttractionFort Yellowstone Overlook
Travertine terraces from Mammoth Hot Springs; calcium carbonate deposition in action.
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Upper Falls View
Last Updated: January 2026
Type
Waterfall
Accessibility
Upper Falls Viewpoint: accessible walkways and parking; Brink of the Upper Falls trail includes stairs and is not wheelchair accessible
Best Season
Late May–September
Busiest Season
Summer
Features
109-foot waterfall; canyon carved by the Yellowstone River; brink marks contact between hard rhyolite and weaker lava; hydrothermal weakening influences rock strength
Elevation
7,618 ft
Overview
About This Attraction
White water plunges 109 feet, spraying mist across the overlook. The canyon bears witness to the river’s ongoing erosion and the hydrothermal weakening of the rock. The brink sits where hard rhyolite meets weaker lava, a boundary forged by time and flow.
Quick Facts
Type
Waterfall
Elevation
7,618 ft
Access
Upper Falls Viewpoint: accessible walkways and parking; Brink of the Upper Falls trail includes stairs and is not wheelchair accessible
Main Features
109-foot waterfall; canyon carved by the Yellowstone River; brink marks contact between hard rhyolite and weaker lava; hydrothermal weakening influences rock strength
What You'll See
Upper Falls Viewpoint overlooks the 109-foot plunge; Brink of the Upper Falls and Uncle Tom's Point/Overlook offer varied angles; Crystal Falls is visible from some nearby overlooks.
What Makes It Special
Brink marks the contact between hard rhyolite lava and weaker rock; canyon formation dated to roughly 160,000–140,000 years ago; hydrothermal activity influenced erosion and rock strength
Best Time to Visit
Late May through September; early morning light yields cleaner photos and lighter crowds. Spring snowmelt brings the most dramatic flow; September offers cooler weather with fewer people.
Safety Considerations
Gravity: steep drop-offs; mist makes surfaces slick; barriers exist but stay back from the brink; sturdy footwear required
Visitor Tips
- Brink of the Upper Falls trail involves stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
- Parking can become very crowded in peak season.
- Wear sturdy footwear; mist makes surfaces slick.
- Upper Falls Viewpoint has accessible walkways; stay behind barriers.
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ℹ️ Data Sources
flylineimages.com 51centadventures.com 10adventures.com yellowstoneparknet.com yellowstonevacations.com expedia.com oreateai.com yiftahshahar.com nps.gov oldfaithfulandfriends.com waterfallz.com wikipedia.org world-of-waterfalls.com turpinmeadowranch.com roadsidesecrets.com gettyimages.com andersondesigngroupstore.com Google Reviews National Park Service YourNPGuide Editorial
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