Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River framed by pine trees with bridge visible upstream

    Upper Falls viewed through foreground pines with the Yellowstone River and bridge visible upstream in the canyon

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    Upper Falls (Yellowstone)

    Water Feature

    Upper Falls is a waterfall where the Yellowstone River drops in a shorter vertical section above the main canyon. The falls sit at the upper entrance to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with surrounding rock walls and river channel. The composition resolves through vertical flow and the relationship between the river and canyon.

    44.71289, -110.49982

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    Gallery

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River framed by pine trees with bridge visible upstream

    Upper Falls viewed through foreground pines with the Yellowstone River and bridg…

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River with upstream bridge and forested canyon

    Upper Falls viewed within a wider canyon context, with the Yellowstone River and…

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River with upstream bridge framed by forested canyon

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River seen from below the brink, with the river n…

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River viewed from above, framed by pine forest and canyon walls

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River dropping into the canyon, seen from a rim v…

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River centered between canyon walls with forested plateau above

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River dropping into the canyon, with the forested…

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River plunging into the canyon with turbulent water below

    Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River viewed from near the brink, showing the pow…

    Water surging over the edge at the Brink of the Upper Falls in the Yellowstone River canyon

    Brink of the Upper Falls showing the Yellowstone River accelerating as it drops …

    People standing at the brink viewpoint of the Upper Falls overlooking the Yellowstone River

    Visitors at the brink viewpoint of the Upper Falls watching the Yellowstone Rive…

    Quick Facts

    Access

    Short Walk

    0–5 min

    Elevation Gain

    10 m

    Best Light

    Sunrise
    Golden Hour

    Light works best when low-angle light moves across the waterfall and surrounding rock because it increases separation and maintains detail across bright and sha

    Why This Light

    Low-Angle Relief
    Wide DR OK

    Season

    Seasonally Distinct

    Summer has strong flow with clear visibility across the falls and river channel. Winter introduces snow and ice, altering texture and partially obscuring sections of the waterfall.

    Crowds

    Often Busy

    Restrictions

    Access via North Rim viewpoints such as Brink of the Upper Falls; terrain varies by viewpoint.

    Photography Notes

    Upper Falls is photographed from multiple viewpoints rather than a single fixed position. Composition depends on selecting vantage points that frame the waterfall within the river channel and surrounding rock. Position controls how the falls separate from the canyon and how depth is perceived.
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