Wraith Falls: An Easy Yellowstone National Park Waterfall Hike

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One of the things I really wanted to do on this trip, for no particular reason, was the Wraith Falls hike. I didn’t know where the trail was, or how long it was, just that I wanted to do it.

So, on our arrival day in the park from Red Lodge and over the Beartooth Pass, this was our first official stop. We enjoyed a drive through the Lamar Valley (new to me), and made some stops to enjoy the scenery and wildlife first though.

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We saw a ton of bison in the valley but that was about it (we did see a wolf kind of far away near Black Sand Basin on our way to Jackson when we left though!).

I think we may have been the only car at the trailhead, but if there was anyone else, it was only one other car. I don’t remember seeing anyone else while we were here.

The trail is straight forward and easy to follow, but unlike all the other trails we did here, this was one of the few that isn’t a boardwalk. The brink of the upper and lower falls were the other two.

It’s a somewhat narrow packed dirt and gravel trail, a bit rocky and uneven in places but nothing too horrible. It starts off crossing an open sagebrush meadow before taking you into the edge of the woods.

I don’t know the type of forest it is (conifer, I checked), but it was nice and piney with the sun shining through the trees. It was hot and bright but still a lovely little hike.

Not too long after entering the trees, you cross a small wood bridge over a creek below, then it’s time to start the brief climb up. And by climb up, I mean a small hill.

As you go up the hill toward the waterfall, the creek you crossed over is below on your left, and the hill keeps going up to your right, The trail is sort of carved off the edge of the hill.

On the way up from here you can see the 79 foot high falls on and off and before you know it, you’ve arrived! There is a decent views of the falls from here, but it will likely be part in shadow, depending on the time of day you’re here. I think it was early/mid afternoon when we saw it.

It is kind of far from the falls, but nothing can be done about that. We enjoyed the view for a few minutes before heading back the way we came. I would say it’s much easier since you’re going downhill but it’s not really difficult even when you’re going up.

I even think I actually liked the view looking out over the grassy area with the hills? small mountains? that you can see across the road from the trailhead more than the falls. And, of course, the amount of water at the falls will vary by season.

Since we were here in the fall, the grass was all golden instead of green but it was still really beautiful. So while I liked the waterfall and think it’s worth the trek over, I wouldn’t say your trip is ruined if you don’t see it.

If you want a short, easy, likely secluded hike, this is a really great option. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s much busier in the peak part of summer but in late September, it was not a hoppin place.

As far as waterfalls in Yellowstone go, I’d say this is lower on the list, but still worth seeing. Again if you’re not lollygagging, you can probably do this in 30 minutes or less. I think the trail itself is more enjoyable than the actual falls at the end.

My Yellowstone waterfall ranking so far:

Artist Point view of Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Tower Falls
Lower Brink view of Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Gibbon Falls
Wraith Falls
Undine Falls
Upper Brink falls

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National Park Goodies

If you’re planning to visit three or more national parks within a year from your trip, definitely get the America the Beautiful pass. It will save you money in the long run if you’re going to more than three parks in a year. Buy the pass here.
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Where is Wraith Falls?

Wraith Falls is in the northern part of Yellowstone, between Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Junction, west.a bit from Lamar Valley.

The Wraith Falls trailhead is about 30 minutes from Gardiner, 20 minutes from Tower Junction, one hour 37 minutes from Old Faithful, two hours from West Thumb Geyser Basin, three hours from Colter Bay, and four hours from Jackson.

How long is the Wraith Falls hike?

The Wraith Falls trail is just under one mile round-trip. AllTrails tracked us at 0.9 miles.

Is the Wraith Falls hike hard?

Nope! It’s not perfectly flat, but doesn’t have much elevation gain either, right around 70 feet, most of which is at the end as you approach the falls.