Here, in the shadow of the Grand Teton, are the last two undisturbed waterfalls in the western United States: Upper Mesa Falls and Lower Mesa Falls. The mighty Snake River plunges off a 114 foot high shelf onto the canyon floor. On sunny days, before noon, you'll
undoubtedly see the famous rainbow. Wood walks make for easy viewing; a ramp from the parking allows wheelchair access.
Lower Mesa Falls is just a mile to the south via the local access road. There, too, is a special viewing deck, - not as close to the waterfall but in a more thrilling orientation.
How to get there:
From US-20/191 southbound (e.g., from West Yellowstone):
- Drive south opn US-20/191.
- Just 2.5 miles south of the Last Chance community ID-47 splits off to your left.
- Follow ID-47 ("Mesa Falls Scenic Byway') about 14 miles to Upper Mesa Falls Road (on your right).
- Turn right and Big Falls Inn (which houses the interpretive center) and Upper Mesa Falls overlook is a little over a half mile from ID-47. This is a 51 mile drive from Yellowstone National Park.
(Lower Mesa Falls, a mile down stream, is accessed by a Forest Service road from Upper Mesa Falls.)
From US-20/191 northbound (e.g., from Idaho Falls):
(ID-47 is closed to normal auto traffic during the snow season; it is reserved for snowmobiles, cross-country
skiers, etc.)
- Drive north on US-20/191 to Ashton (15 miles
north of St. Anthony).
- Just about the center of Ashton is the intersection of ID-47 (Atchley Road).
- Turn right onto ID-47 and follow it about 16 miles to Upper Mesa Falls Road (on your left).
(When you swap potato and alfalfa fields for lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and aspen - and the road starts to get a little curvy -
you are almost half-way there. This is the Three Rivers Canyon area.)
- Turn left and Big Falls Inn (which houses the interpretive center)
and Upper Mesa Falls overlook is a little over a half mile from ID-47. This is a 68 mile drive from Idaho Falls.
Note: Lower Mesa Falls, a mile down stream, is accessed by a Forest Service road from Upper Mesa Falls.
Links to photos:
For more information:
Ashton Area Chamber of Commerce
714 Main St.
Ashton, ID 83420
208-652-3355
208-652-3567
summer only: 208-652-7520
ashton@fretel.com
See also:
