Yellowstone Waterfalls to See and Photograph Without Hiking

Yellowstone National Park is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the United States. Photographing the amazing Yellowstone waterfalls is always at the top of our list of things to do in the park.

Use this Yellowstone National Park travel guide that lists the easy-to-see waterfalls that don’t require hiking. Be sure to add waterfalls to your daily itinerary of things to see and photograph!

Yellowstone waterfalls everything you need to know

We have visited Yellowstone in the fall, spring, summer and winter and each season showcases these waterfalls in different way.

The list we created below are all easy to see waterfalls at Yellowstone. Many of the waterfalls are roadside attractions, and some require a short walk.

Use our Yellowstone National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting any time of year! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!

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Camera Gear List to Photograph Waterfalls in Yellowstone

We rely on our Camera Gear Checklist to make sure all the necessary equipment is packed in our camera bag ready to go – so we don’t forget anything.

We recommend the following items to photograph waterfalls:

1. Camera

2. Tripod – especially if you want to capture long exposure images.

3. Remote Shutter Release – essential to help take away that extra ‘shake’ when pressing the button, especially for long exposure photos.

4. Camera Bag – best way to protect your camera from the splash of water near waterfalls is essential.

5. Camera Filters – it can be tricky to photograph waterfalls if the light is casting harsh white tones in the water. Using a neutral density filter helps to shield that harsh light to make it more even.

6. Camera Cleaning Kit – water mist WILL make its way to your lens so have cleaning kits available. NOTE: this is not for cleaning the sensor.

Camera Gear at B&H Photo

camera accessories

A Photo Tour of Yellowstone Waterfalls

Take a visual tour through Yellowstone National Park to see the stunning landscape and waterfalls you’ll find in the park!

Yellowstone Waterfalls Map

Use this map of waterfalls in Yellowstone to find all the locations we highlight below!

Best Time of Year to See Yellowstone Waterfalls

The majestic waterfalls of Yellowstone National Park are a sight to behold all year round, but there is something special about seeing them during the peak season.

From late spring through early summer, visitors can experience the full beauty and power of these natural wonders as they come alive with melting snow and heavy rains.

Yellowstone Waterfalls in the Spring – The rivers and waterfalls at Yellowstone in the spring are full and raging from the snow runoff. You can see, hear and feel the power of the water as it rushes by.

Yellowstone Waterfalls in the Summer – The water flow is still good during a Yellowstone summer vacation. But you’ll need to pack your patience to navigate the crowds and deal with the biting bugs!

Yellowstone Waterfalls in the Fall – The only downside to a Yellowstone vacation in the fall is the reduced water flow in the rivers. The waterfalls didn’t have the volume of water they would have during spring and early summer. But they were mesmerizing nonetheless!

Yellowstone Waterfalls in the Winter – During a Yellowstone winter vacation, the park has a blanket of snow and you can thoroughly enjoy the peace and tranquility of the park! The only way to see most of the waterfalls is with guided tours on snowmobiles or snow coaches. You CAN see Undine and Wraith falls on your own since the road from the North entrance to the Northeast entrance is open all year long!

Must-See Waterfalls at Yellowstone

The following descriptions are for waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park that don’t require hiking to see them. Use our photos and tips to help guide you to each waterfall on your Yellowstone trip! The waterfalls are listed in alphabetical order.

Lower Falls

CANYON: LOWER & UPPER FALLS

The Lower & Upper Falls in the Canyon area are the most popular waterfalls in the park.

The Yellowstone River carved out what’s known today as Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The steep canyon walls and yellow rocks that line it are how the park got the name “Yellowstone.”

You can view the 308 foot Lower Falls from various points along both sides of the canyon rim.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

NORTH RIM DRIVE WATERFALLS:

Visit the North Rim view points in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the crowds. The North Rim Scenic Drive is a short one-way road along the north rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It has limited parking. 

There are several stops along the North Rim Scenic Drive where you can park and enjoy breathtaking views of the canyon and the Lower Falls.

Inspiration Point, Grand View and Lookout Point are the easiest view points to access. Red Rock Point and Brink of Lower Falls Trail are a bit more strenuous but definitely worth the short walk.

PHOTO TIP: Stop at all the view points, as each one offers a unique vantage to experience and photograph the Lower Falls and canyon with the river running through it.

Yellowstone River

BRINK OF THE UPPER FALLS:

Access the Bring of the Upper Falls on the short road located between the North and South Rim Drives. Walk a short distance to the brink of the 109 foot Upper Falls. This is where the Yellowstone River begins to descend into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

In the spring you can hear and feel the power of the water as it rushes through the narrow section and over the drop.

Brink of the Upper Falls

If you walk a little further down this paved path, past the trail to the brink of the falls, you will end up at the Old Chittenden Bridge which was the old roadway used for travelers who came through this area. You can also see the bridge that takes you to the South Rim Drive.

Bridge over Yellowstone River

SOUTH RIM DRIVE WATERFALLS:

South Rim Drive is a short road in the Canyon Area where you can see both the Upper and Lower Falls. From the first parking lot you can access a viewpoint of the Upper Falls. There is a longer trail through the woods that leads to Uncle Tom’s Trail. Posted signs will point you in the right direction.

TAKE NOTE: Uncle Tom’s trail is a steep descent on steel stairs into the canyon coming to an end at a platform that puts you right in front of the Lower Falls. It’s an impressive view of the falls and the canyon, but the climb up from the bottom is fairly strenuous.

At the end of South Rim Drive you will find Artist Point. It’s a very short paved trail from the parking lot to the actual viewpoint. This is a very popular spot for visitors to view the Lower Falls in the distance with the yellowed canyon walls on either side. We recommend getting there early in the morning.

Artist Point view of Lower Falls

PHOTO TIP: Sunrise is the best time to take photos at Artist Point. The waterfall faces the east and the rising sun will illuminate the falls and canyon.

→ READ: How to Photograph Rivers and Waterfalls

Firehole Falls in the winter

FIREHOLE FALLS

Firehole Canyon Drive is a 2 mile one way road that runs along the Firehole River. The river provides photographic opportunities as well.

Dave was disappointed there are signs prohibiting climbing to the base of the falls. He enjoys capturing the full magnitude of a waterfall from the base of the falls.

Firehole Falls

PHOTO TIP: Take the time to create various compositions. Find different angles, distances and frames to photograph the falls. 

Winter snow around Firehole Falls

Firehole Falls is one of our favorites to photograph – spring, summer, fall and winter.

Gibbon Falls

GIBBON FALLS

Gibbon Falls is a spectacular waterfall where the Gibbon River flows 84 feet over the erosion-resistant rock of the giant caldera rim.

There is a large parking lot and a paved trail above the banks of the Gibbon River.

Gibbon Falls in the spring

PHOTO TIPS:

  • Gibbon Falls is more scenic in the afternoon when the sun lights up the falls, but be prepared for the crowds, especially during peak season.
  • Walk along the path to photograph various angles, distances and frames.

Kepler Cascades

KEPLER CASCADES

Kepler Cascades is a stunning roadside waterfall that drops roughly 100 feet over a series of falls with the largest drop around 50 feet.

A small parking lot is available where a short boardwalk leads to a wooden platform on the canyon’s edge providing the perfect spot to take photos.

PHOTO TIP: During sunrise and early morning the river and waterfalls are in shade which provides even lighting for photographing this location.

Lewis Falls

LEWIS FALLS

Lewis Falls is a 30 foot waterfall located along the South Entrance Road just south of Lewis Lake. There is a small parking area and a sign alerting you to the falls (Parking might be difficult to find during peak time and season).

It is not a very high waterfall, but the easy roadside access makes it a very popular destination.

PHOTO TIP: Walk down to the river’s edge to get a view of the falls where the river, rocks and logs provides interesting foreground elements. 

Moose Falls

MOOSE FALLS

Located about a mile and half from the South Entrance to the park, the trail to Moose Falls is an easy 100 yards.

PHOTO TIPS:    

  • This is one of the few waterfalls where you can hike to the base. The trail is short but steep.
  • Photograph this waterfall in the morning to get the sunlight shining through the trees.
  • Walk around and be creative with composition at this location.

Tower Fall

TOWER FALL

Tower Fall is 132 feet and surrounded by eroded volcanic pinnacles. The overlook is 100 yards from the parking lot.

We were disappointed the trail down to the base of the waterfall has been permanently closed since the early 2000’s due to seismic activity in the area, a landslide, and a high rate of erosion from the heavy foot traffic.

PHOTO TIP: Hike the trail to access a wonderful section of beach where Tower Creek meets the Yellowstone River. There are many photographic possibilities here so let your creativity take flight! The trail is 3/4 mile long and a bit steep in some places so be prepared for the extra effort to hike back up.  

River’s edge below Tower Fall

The serenity of this location combined with the sound of running water made it one of our favorite stops. It was nice to find a quiet spot away from the tourists who were only focused on seeing Tower Falls. 

Undine Falls

UNDINE FALLS

Undine Falls is a section of Lava Creek that runs 60 feet over the edge into a small canyon down below. Walk a short distance from the parking lot to view this two-tiered waterfall.

PHOTO TIP: Undine Falls faces west so it’s best photographed before sunrise, the late afternoon or evening.  

Virginia Cascades

VIRGINIA CASCADES

Virginia Cascades is a drive by waterfall, literally. It’s a 60-foot cascading waterfall on the Gibbon River located along a two mile one-way narrow road with steep drop-offs on the passenger side. There aren’t many pullouts along the road. We found one a bit down the road after we passed the falls and had to walk back to find a location to view and photograph them.

PHOTO TIP: Due to the narrow road, the space to set up a tripod and spend time taking pictures is limited…and could be dangerous if the traffic is heavy. It’s also difficult to find the ‘right spot’ along the road to get a good view of the waterfall.

This is one waterfall we would skip in favor of the many others in the park that provide parking and space to safely see and photograph them.

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21 Comments

  1. Since all of the falls you visited were close and to the Grand loop road, I was surprised you left out Upper Falls which is probably the second most popular waterfall in the park. It is in the same area as lower Falls and easy short walk to the brink. Thank for including Moose Falls. I have neglected it and all of my trips there but but won’t after seeing your beautiful photographs.

  2. Thank you Jamie! These are beautiful! As an ex- park worker in Yellowstone, I completely agree with Todd Miller — Union Falls must be on your next trip! It’s unforgettable!!! Thanks for posting!

    1. It’s amazing how many waterfalls there are in the park. We look forward to exploring many more, including Union Falls. Any other tips you can provide since you worked in the park?

  3. Wow! I had no idea that Yellowestone had so many waterfalls on the premise. I honestly just thoughts there was trees and a few geysers. This is incredible hoops fully I’ll be able to see its beauty one day!

    1. There are over 300 waterfalls in the park – and this is only 7 of them. I hope you can visit one day – there is so much to see and do!

  4. Tower Falls is beautiful, but agree that it is disappointing since the trail to the bottom closed. Glad I got to see it a couple of times from the base. Kepler Cascades is a tough one, it’s always busy and lighting is more difficult for a good shot (at least that’s been the way it’s worked). Maybe another early in the morning or late in the afternoon waterfall. Did you just use the falls that are not long hikes? Another good one if you’re short on time is Undine Falls by Mammoth, if you look from the boardwalk there in a couple of places you can see it peeking through. Drive towards Tower and it is off to the side of the road, it’s really quite pretty.

    1. Photographing most of these waterfalls is difficult during busy season. We were lucky to get most of these photos at any time of the day because we visited in October. Otherwise, yes, you would need to be at the falls early or late to avoid crowds and get the best light. We did not have time to visit all the waterfalls in Yellowstone this past trip – Undine is on our list for our next visit. Thanks for the tip April!

    1. There are so many waterfalls we did not get to see, and those are on the list for next time. This list pertains the more easily accessible falls. Do you have any tips for those two falls?

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