Firehole Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Firehole Falls is a waterfall in Teton County, Wyoming, about 76 miles north of Moose Wilson Road. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Teton County, WY

Nearest town

Moose Wilson Road (76 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.8 from 61 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Access

Short hike likely

Coordinates

44.63077, -110.86438

USGS topo

Madison Junction quad

Getting there

Firehole Falls sits about 76 miles north of Moose Wilson Road in Teton County. Navigate to the coordinates 44.63077, -110.86438, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away. Visitors reach it on foot by trail. Check the current trail map for distance and elevation before you go.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Firehole Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Most of Wyoming's falls lie in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks or in national forests such as the Bridger-Teton, Shoshone and Bighorn, which brings entrance fees for the parks and busy summer parking at popular stops such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Jenny Lake. Grizzly and black bears inhabit the northwest and the Wind Rivers, so bear spray and good food storage are standard. In Yellowstone, stay on boardwalks and trails near thermal areas and keep well away from bison and elk. Canyon rims and wet rock around falls are dangerous, and snowmelt rivers are cold and swift. Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning are common in summer at high elevations.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Firehole Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Wyoming. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 44.63077, -110.86438 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 300 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Wyoming's falls run highest with mountain snowmelt, generally from late May through early July, with peak flows a little later at higher elevations. Yellowstone's interior roads usually open to cars in spring and close in early November, so late May through October is the practical window for most park falls; in winter, the interior is reached mainly by snowcoach or snowmobile tours. The Bechler area is often wet and buggy in early summer, and river fords there are more manageable later in the season. Wind River backcountry falls are best visited from July into September, once trails melt out. September brings fewer crowds and golden aspens, though snow can arrive early at elevation. 61 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Firehole Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 61 Google reviews, and 85% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the number 3 waterfall by review count in Teton County. Visitors have shared 300 photos.

Rushing waterfall with a 40-ft. drop over volcanic rock formations, reachable by a picturesque hike.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Firehole Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on June 5, 1979, and it appears on the USGS Madison Junction 7.5-minute topographic map.

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names made a formal decision on its name on January 1, 1937.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: National Park Mountain (summit, 0.5 mi), Firehole Canyon (valley, 0.7 mi), Firehole River (stream, 0.8 mi), and Gibbon River (stream, 0.8 mi).

Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Northwest Wyoming holds the great majority of the state's falls. In Yellowstone's Grand Canyon, the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River plunge over hard volcanic rock into a canyon of yellow and orange rhyolite, viewed from rim trails and overlooks. Along the Grand Loop Road, Undine Falls steps down in three tiers and Wraith Falls lies at the end of a short walk. In the southwest, Mystic Falls drops along the Little Firehole River near the geyser basins, Firehole Falls pours through a volcanic canyon, and Moose Falls sits near the South Entrance. In Grand Teton, Hidden Falls is usually reached by boat shuttle across Jenny Lake plus a short hike.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Firehole Falls about 76 miles north of Moose Wilson Road is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 61 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Firehole Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.