Description:
Cave Falls is not actually in Idaho but in the western edge of Wyoming and also in the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. But the road to get there begins in Idaho and is not too far from Rexburg. Cave Falls gets its name from the cave that used to be located right next to the waterfall. Yellowstone officials believe that Cave Falls caved in around February of 2008. There is still as small outcropping where the cave used to be, but the trail is closed off to get over to it.
Cave Falls at 250 feet wide is the widest of Yellowstone’s many waterfalls. The falls is only about 20 feet high but is a beautiful waterfall on the Fall River. It is perhaps the easiest waterfall to access and enjoy in the southwestern portion of Yellowstone. Due to the large number of waterfalls in this region, this corner of Yellowstone is commonly referred to as “Cascade Corner”.
At the parking area for the falls there is another unnamed falls that stretches across the Fall River that is only 8-10 feet high. From the parking area, it is a walk of 100 yards or so to Cave Falls. Cave Falls is named after the cave that is at the base of the falls. A rock slide currently has the trail blocked for the last 50 feet below the falls.
This is a beautiful area with lots of water features, wildlife, and wildflowers. Because of the remoteness and ruggedness of the area, visitors should take precautions to make sure they have planned for the unexpected. Use common sense and visits to this area will create memories to last a lifetime.
Directions:
From Ashton or Island Park, the falls is accessible via the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, ID-47, and the 16 mile long Cave Falls Road (FR 582 after entering the Targee National Forest). Winter access is by snowmobile. The western end of the Cave Falls Road (also known as the Marysville Road) is paved but that lasts only a few miles before the road turns to gravel/dirt. The road was quite washboardy when we traveled it and I suspect it is that way most of the time it is open. When the road crosses into Wyoming, the road is again paved, a welcome relief. Shortly after entering Wyoming, you are greeted by an “Entering Yellowstone National Park” sign.
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