Undine Falls is a beautiful waterfall that cascades over a series of rocky ledges in Yellowstone National Park. View the fall from the roadside stop or on a short trail to the top.
Yellowstone National Park
5-10 Minutes
Spring, Summer
~$35 per Vehicle
Overview
Though not as famous as some of Yellowstone’s larger waterfalls, it’s a great spot to take in the park’s beauty, especially when exploring the northern part of Yellowstone. Keep an eye out for wildlife in the area, such as elk, bison, or even wolves, which are common in the surrounding Lamar Valley.
Undine Falls Plan
A stop at the Undine Falls pull-out along the Upper Grand Loop Road was not originally part of our plans. As we drove through, we could see the waterfall from the road so decided to make a quick stop. There is a trail, the Lower Undine Falls Trail, that you can take to get closer to the waterfall. But since we weren’t planning it, we did the roadside stop and then kept venturing through the park.
Getting There
Location
Yellowstone National Park is in the northwest corner of Wyoming, with a small percentage of the park in Montana and Idaho. There are a few ways to get to this large park, but we prefer to fly into Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC), and go through Grand Teton National Park to get to Yellowstone National Park. Visiting both national parks is a great trip to see such a diverse area in the United States.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Yellowstone National Park is during the late spring through early fall. Many of the roads in the area close in the winter months due to snow and ice on the roads. While the summer months are peak season, that’s the best time to visit the park for great weather and passable roads.
Undine Falls
Undine Falls
Undine Falls
Who Can Go?
The parking area is easy to get to and is a paved lot. Unfortunately, for those with mobility issues, there is a set of steps required to go to the overlook area. Otherwise, the overlook is just off of the parking lot and very easy to get to.
What You'll See
From the overlook, Undine Falls is to your right, towards the east. You can see the top of the falls and watch it cascade down as it flows through the mighty Lava Creek. The waterfall is about 60 feet in height and spills over the cliff face of a basalt lava flow. There are three tiers of cascades.
Undine Falls
Undine Falls
What to Bring & Wear
As a roadside stop, there’s not much you need to bring or wear for this quick detour. Make sure you have a camera with you, and possibly a pair of binoculars to see the waterfall up close. If you plan to walk the short hike to the brink of the Undine Falls, make sure to have water, snacks, and bear spray as there have been bear sightings in the area.
Where to Go
The parking area to catch sight of these falls is about 4 miles east of Mammoth Hot Springs. Look for the signs and turnoff for the Undine Falls.
How Long Does it Take?
For those just taking a stop to see the falls, I would say your estimated time here is about 5-10 minutes. The trail to the top of the falls is under one mile roundtrip, so that would add about 30 minutes to your stop.
Cost
Yellowstone National Park charges an entrance fee into the park, so there is no fee for stopping at the Undine Falls lookout area.
Tips for Undine Falls
- If you are looking at an older map, Undine Falls used to be called East Gardner Falls, Cascade Falls of the East Gardiner, or Gardiner River Falls. The present name was given by geologist Arnold Hague who said the name referred to wise, female water spirits from German mythology who could gain souls by marrying mortal men.
- Other waterfalls in the area include Wraith Falls and Tower Fall.
- The short hike to the top of the falls starts in the Lava Creek Picnic Area and is part of the longer Lava Creek Trailhead.