Terraced Falls Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

This short 1.5-mile trail is reached via the short .4 mile Cascade Creek-Falls River Cutoff Trail which, itself, begins just south of the park on the Flagg Ranch to Ashton, Idaho NFS road (sometimes called the Grassy Lake Road) just over a mile west of Grassy Lake and 11 miles west of Flagg Ranch. It ends at an overlook of the Terraced Falls Trail.

The first 3/4 miles of the Terraced Falls Trail closely follow well-named Cascade Creek as it tumbles down 140-feet to join the Falls River. Along the way, you can see 5 lovely cascades with fanciful suggested names, in order: Pothole Cascades (40 feet); Diamond Cascade (15 feet); Humpback Cascade (15 feet); and two-sectioned Cleft Cascade (20 feet).

After Cascade Creek flows into the Falls River the trail follows it northwest and passes well-named Cascade Acres at the 1-mile mark. This beautiful, wide cascade falls a total of 50 feet. At the 1.5-mile mark, the trail ends at a nice overlook of Terraced Falls. Here the Falls River plunges over 150 feet through a series of six "terraces" (the highest drop is 45 feet) as it churns its way into an impressive rock canyon. Although Terraced Falls is one of Yellowstones best backcountry falls, this viewpoint is less satisfying than the view from the opposite side of the river. Unfortunately, there is no trail to that vantage point and it cannot be reached from this trail.

Thanks to guidebook author, Tom Carter, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Yellowstone, check out his book, Day Hiking Yellowstone.