Waterfalls in Wyoming

Overview of waterfalls in Wyoming

Fairy Falls drops 200 feet on Fairy Creek near Midway Geyser Basin, according to NPS. It is the only one of the three Yellowstone falls here that needs a longer hike: 5.4 or 6.7 miles round trip, depending on the trailhead.

Tower Fall and Gibbon Falls are short, wheelchair-accessible stops, according to the NPS accessibility page. One park entrance pass covers all three. The bigger planning question is the calendar, covered in the road dates section below.

Which fee or pass applies where

One Yellowstone entrance pass, $35 per private vehicle for 7 days, covers all three Wyoming falls on this site.

All three falls are inside Yellowstone, so one entrance pass covers every stop for 7 days. NPS lists $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle and $20 per person 16 and older. A Yellowstone annual pass is $70. The fees page was updated June 16, 2026.

NPS adds a $100 per-person surcharge for non-US residents aged 16 and older. The surcharge doesn't apply to visitors who hold an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Our Yellowstone entrance fee calculator adds it up for your group, including when an annual pass costs less.

NPS lists November 11 as the last 2026 free entrance day for US citizens and residents. The roads to all three falls have been closed to regular vehicles since November 1, 2026, so it won't get you there by car.

Waterfalls in Wyoming: heights, walks and access compared

Tower Fall and Gibbon Falls are short, wheelchair-accessible stops, while Fairy Falls is a 5.4- or 6.7-mile round trip.

Tower Fall: NPS says the asphalt path to the overlook was redesigned and built in 2021, at a 2 to 4% grade. The trail below the overlook, to the base of the falls, is closed for severe erosion. We found no reopening announced as of October 25, 2026.

Gibbon Falls: NPS lists 'Designated accessible parking, paths, and views' beside the Grand Loop Road. The Gibbon Falls Picnic Area has 7 tables and 1 wheelchair-accessible vault toilet, though NPS doesn't say how far it is from the falls.

Fairy Falls: NPS lists 5.4 miles round trip from the Fairy Falls Parking Lot, or 6.7 miles from the end of Fountain Flat Drive. NPS describes the trail as relatively flat but bars strollers, and parking at the main lot is very limited.

Yellowstone road dates and winter access (2026-27)

Most Yellowstone roads, and the West, South and East entrances, have been closed to regular vehicles since November 1, 2026, per NPS. Only the road between the North and Northeast entrances stays open to cars all year. NPS had not posted spring 2027 opening dates as of October 2026.

Tower Fall: in 2026, NPS listed Tower-Roosevelt to Tower Fall as open May 8 to October 31. An NPS release on October 21, 2026 said the Dunraven Pass road from Canyon to Tower Fall will 'remain open through Oct. 31, weather permitting'. In winter, NPS lists a 5-mile Tower Fall ski trail, rated 'Easiest,' on the unplowed road from near Tower Junction.

Gibbon Falls: NPS projected the Madison-Norris road open April 17 to October 31, 2026. For winter 2026-27, that road is groomed for oversnow travel from December 15, 2026 to March 9, 2027, by commercial snowmobile or snowcoach only. We could not confirm whether those tours stop at the falls.

Fairy Falls: NPS lists the West Entrance-Madison-Old Faithful roads open April 17 to October 31, 2026. The oversnow season on them runs December 15, 2026 to March 15, 2027. In winter, NPS lists the Fairy Falls route as a ski trail.

Pets, wildlife and swimming in Yellowstone

Yellowstone bans pets on hiking trails, and we found no NPS swimming rule at any of the three falls.

Pets: Yellowstone's pet rules are the same at all three falls. NPS allows pets only within 100 feet of roads, parking areas and campgrounds, on a leash of 6 feet or less. NPS says pets are 'Not allowed on boardwalks, hiking trails, in the backcountry, or in thermal areas,' and the ban includes carried pets.

That rules out the Fairy Falls trail. NPS doesn't say whether the short paths at Tower Fall and Gibbon Falls count as trails or sit inside the 100-foot zone. Ask a ranger before you bring a dog.

Wildlife: NPS asks you to stay at least 100 yards from bears, wolves and cougars and 25 yards from all other animals. Carry bear spray where you can reach it, even at a roadside stop.

Swimming: we found no NPS swimming rule for any of the three falls. Elsewhere in the park, the NPS alerts page (updated September 29, 2026) listed the Firehole River Swim Area as closed. It also listed no swimming at Boiling River after the 2022 flood.

Our waterfall safety guide covers slippery rock, cold water and flash floods in more depth.

Yellowstone waterfall closures and conditions (Oct 2026)

All three falls are seasonal. The roads to them have been closed to regular vehicles since November 1, 2026, per NPS.

Tower Fall and Gibbon Falls: we checked both on October 25, 2026. At Tower Fall, the trail to the base remains closed for severe erosion, and the campground's 2026 season ended September 27. We found no alert specific to Gibbon Falls.

Parkwide alerts: the NPS alerts page, last updated September 29, 2026, listed fire danger as high. It also listed these construction delays:

• Bridge Bay Bridge: up to 15 minutes
• Firehole River Bridge, near Old Faithful: up to 15 minutes in October
• Gardner River High Bridge: single lane

The NPS park roads page, updated October 28, 2026, lists chip-seal delays of up to 30 minutes at various locations around the park.

Fairy Falls: NPS listed the West Entrance-Madison-Old Faithful road open to cars through October 31, 2026. That road has been closed to regular vehicles since November 1, 2026. The oversnow season, by commercial snowcoach and snowmobile, runs December 15, 2026 to March 15, 2027.

We could not confirm the live status of the Dunraven Pass road on October 25, 2026. Check the NPS park roads page on the morning you drive.

Wyoming waterfalls FAQ