Waterfalls along the Firehole Canyon Drive

Views to the Cascades of the Firehole River near the Firehole Canyon Drive, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Views to the Cascades of the Firehole River

The Firehole Canyon Drive is a somewhat overlooked one-way scenic drive just south of Madison en route to more famous parts of Yellowstone, including Midway Geyser Basin and Old Faithful. So it’s on the way for anyone staying in West Yellowstone or the northern part of the park. Along its 2.2 mile length, you’ll get to see the canyon (a little hard due to its narrowness… convertible recommended), overlook a waterfall, visit a geothermally heated swimming area (open seasonally), and (if you’re really going for everything) walk a short distance to a second waterfall. I can’t say as this is a “must” for every visitor to Yellowstone, but if you have a few extra minutes, it is a pretty and interesting place to visit.

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 2.2 miles Trail Type: One-way road Elevation Gain: 520ft. Pets: Leashed Fees: $35/vehicle

Cliffs above the Firehole Canyon Drive - my apologies for the smudge in the middle; I took the photo through the (very dirty) window of the van. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Cliffs above the Firehole Canyon Drive – my apologies for the smudge in the middle; I took the photo through the (very dirty) window of the van.

Because the road is one-way, you’ll need to start at the northern terminus, 0.6 miles south of Madison Junction (where US-191 goes west to West Yellowstone). At first, the road is not very exciting; just wandering through the trees. After 0.3 miles, the road begins to follow the Firehole river upstream through the Firehole Canyon. Unfortunately, it’s hard to see much of the canyon due to the trees and the narrowness of the canyon, itself. A convertible would come in handy here.

Peek-a-boo views to the river from the Firehole Canyon Drive, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Peek-a-boo views to the river

After nearly a mile, a broad turnout on the left (into the mountainside, really) is the parking area for Firehole Falls. This is the most exciting part of the road per me, so I highly recommend a quick stop to get out, cross the road (watch for traffic), and take a photo or two of the falls.

The sign marking the Firehole Falls "viewpoint" along the Firehole Canyon Drive, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — The sign marking the Firehole Falls “viewpoint”

I drove the road in the very early morning, so Firehole Falls was still in shadow. That’s not the worst thing in the world for a photographer, but I’m sure it would be more scenic closer to noon.

Firehole Falls along the Firehole Canyon Drive, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Firehole Falls

The next site of interest is the Firehole River Swimming Area about 0.9 miles beyond the pulloff for Firehole Falls. This was closed by mid-September, so I can’t say much about it except that there is very limited parking, you’re not allowed to park there off-season, and the stairway down to the swimming area seems to be extremely steep. When it’s open, I hear it’s quite popular and a great place to enjoy the (not too hot) geothermal waters.

There was no question that the stairway down to the Firehole River Swimming Area was closed! Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — There was no question that the stairway down to the Firehole River Swimming Area was closed

The end of the Firehole Canyon Drive is at mile 2.2. However, if you want one last adventure, pull over in the pulloff just before the scenic drive T’s into the main road (beside the big rocks). By walking upstream on what is obviously an old road, you get to see the Cascades of the Firehole – not really a waterfall per se, but also more than just rapids.

Cascades of the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Cascades of the Firehole River

I missed this pulloff, so I turned right onto the main road and then pulled over in the pulloff 0.05 miles upstream. I then walked downstream (on the bank) to see the Cascades.

The Firehole River above the Cascades of the Firehole, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — The Firehole River above the Cascades of the Firehole

I happened to visit on a chilly morning; Fountain Flat was totally shrouded in mist (which made the Fountain Flat Freight Road quite a fun experience!). The cold air was making mist and water vapor rise off of the warm water in the Firehole River – which created the ethereal look of the Cascades of the Firehole. Amazing!

Mist above the Cascades of the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Mist above the Cascades of the Firehole – to see what the Cascades looked like in the mist, look at the first photo in this post

And that’s what there is to see along the Firehole Canyon Drive! It’s not a lot, but it is pretty and interesting – especially if you get to go swimming, too!

Views through the fence down on the Firehole River Swimming Area, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Views through the fence down on the Firehole River Swimming Area

One-way Road Length: 2.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 520ft. gain, 260ft. loss (6,827ft. to 7,120ft.)

A small primrose along the Firehole Canyon Drive, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — A small primrose along the Firehole Canyon Drive

Facilities: I hear there is a restroom at the swimming parking lot in-season. Off-season, you’re not allowed to use it.

Fees: $35/vehicle, valid 7 days. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Lands passes and Yellowstone Annual Passes are accepted.

Views downcanyon from Firehole Falls along the Firehole Canyon Drive, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Views downcanyon from Firehole Falls

Road Notes: The road is narrow and winding, so while I’m not aware of a length restriction, it might be difficult for a very large motorhome or trailer. Please respect the “don’t go beyond this” signs around Firehole Falls. There are a fair number of rapids just below Firehole Falls. Be careful as you explore around the Cascades of the Firehole – the rocks can be slippery and there are no guardrails.

Closeup of Firehole Falls along the Firehole Canyon Drive, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Closeup of Firehole Falls

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

Above the Cascades of the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Above the Cascades of the Firehole River

Firehole Canyon Drive GPS Coordinates

Beginning of Firehole Canyon Drive: 44.6388260°, -110.8586650° (44°38.32956′, -110°51.51990′ / 44°38’19.7736″, -110°51’31.1940″) (6,860ft.) (0.0)

Firehole Falls pulloff: 44.6295830°, -110.8629140° (44°37.77498′, -110°51.77484′ / 44°37’46.4988″, -110°51’46.4904″) (6,969ft.) (1.0)

Firehole River Swimming Area TH: 44.6183080°, -110.8600410° (44°37.09848′, -110°51.60246′ / 44°37’05.9088″, -110°51’36.1476″) (7,092ft.) (1.9)

End of the Firehole Canyon Drive: 44.6172690°, -110.8550550° (44°37.03614′, -110°51.30330′ / 44°37’02.1684″, -110°51’18.1980″) (7,114ft.) (2.2)

The Firehole River about to tumble over the Cascades of the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — The Firehole River about to tumble over the Cascades of the Firehole

The gpx file for the Firehole Canyon Drive can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 29.1 KB Downloaded 26 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website. Thanks!)

The Cascades of the Firehole River from above, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — The Cascades of the Firehole from above

Getting to the Beginning of the Firehole Canyon Drive

From Madison Junction, drive 0.6 miles south on US-191 (Grand Loop Road). The paved road will be on the right.

Firehole Canyon below the Cascades of the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Firehole Canyon below the Cascades of the Firehole

From the Old Faithful Exit, drive north for 15.3 miles. The turn onto the paved road will be on the left.

Wild strawberry blossom near the Cascades of the Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming — Wild strawberry blossom near the Cascades of the Firehole River

There is a sign announcing the turn onto Firehole Canyon Drive; however, it’s rustic and not extremely noticeable – so keep your eyes open for it!

Visual map of the Firehole Canyon Drive along with an elevation profile – the road runs one-way from left to right

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