Cave Falls

Cave Falls remains one of our favorite spots to visit every year, and today was one of our favorite outings. Endless blue skies with puffy white clouds and snow on the rugged peaks of the Tetons to the south. Fall River water temp was very pleasant to wade around in. While not quite warm enough for a swim in like many other adventurous souls just below the main waterfalls, the calm water below the lower waterfall was great for the family to enjoy. No biting bugs but plenty of lush green grass and colorful wildflowers. The icing on the cake was having the lower day-use and picnic area all to ourselves for a few hours.

Well worth a trip when visiting this area to see beautiful Cave Falls. The trail/road was in great shape with limited wash boarding and potholes. The drive is scenic, and the views of the Tetons are nice from the pullout waypoint. The real treat, though, is the Falls and there is plenty of hiking in the area as well. For a bonus, take a side trip to Sheep Falls. There's a sign marking Sheep Falls at waypoint 13, and the Falls are 4 miles from the Cave Falls trail. You take a right on this road (FR 124 or Goose Lake Road at waypoint 13) if you're on the way to Cave Falls, a left if you're on your way out. Go about 2 miles, and when FR 124 makes a hard right look to the left for a sign for FR 363. FR 363 is a bit harder than FR 124 or Cave Falls trail. The sign at the beginning says it is suitable for Jeeps but not cars. I would rate it as a 3, maybe a 4 if wet. It is a dirt trail with some rocks, it's narrow and brushy at points, but a stock Jeep would have no issues. Follow FR 363 for about 2 more miles and it dead ends at Sheep Falls, which is spectacular. There is plenty of room to stop, eat lunch, and turn around. A great side trip!

Since we've been visiting the area, Cave Falls Road was in the best shape we’ve seen this trip. Little washboard along most of the road, but nothing major. Cave Falls campground has reopened, and we took a drive through and didn't notice any improvements to justify the year and a half closure. Most of the wildflowers are gone except for some in the trees shade. The grassy fields are dry; smoke season must be near. Was pretty warm out, an the water at the day use area below the falls felt great.

We started our day in West Yellowstone and took this trail towards Island Park. After the trail and not wanting to rejoin the crazy traffic, we decided to turn left at Big Springs near Island Park and followed Fish Creek to Robinson Creek and took a left to Cave Falls. We hiked around the day-use areas looking over the waterfalls, and checked out Horseshoe Lake while we were there. The lake and trail were far too busy for our liking, so we mosied back up the same way we came and rejoined the highway in Island Park before heading home. The campground at Waypoint 17 was closed, with no signs of why or when it would reopen.

An absolute treasure of a trail. The waterfalls are stunning and the views and sounds of the running water give you an incredible feeling of serenity and overwhelming beauty of the surrounding nature. Stay a night at the nearest campground and enhance your experience just as we did, you will want to come back again and again.