The Byway makes a loop, rejoining Highway 20 approximately 28 miles to the north at Harriman State Park.Īlong the Byway, you can see the succession of wildflowers throughout the seasons. A paved, two lane road winds its way through scenic farm lands of potatoes, barley, and alfalfa before entering the Three Rivers Canyon area and climbing to a mixed forest of lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and aspen. The southern end begins in the town of Ashton, Idaho, a pleasant rural community, located near the Henry's Fork of the Snake River on U.S.
The Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, designated in 1989, was the original route to Yellowstone National Park prior to construction of U.S. Mesa Falls Scenic Byway - information provided by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and the US Forest Service The ranger station, waterfall and picnic areas are in Yellowstone National Park, the campground is locate just outside the park. It is approximately 27 miles to the Bechler Ranger Station and Cave Falls Waterfall or Cavefalls Picnic Areas or Cavefalls Campground. Upper Falls is less than a mile north of the Lower Falls, also on the left or west side of the road. Follow this route for approximately 16 miles to the turnoff on the left or west to Lower Mesa Falls and campgroundĤ. In Ashton, turn right or east onto Idaho State Road 47 this is known as the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.ģ. From US Highway 20 head north to Ashton, Idaho.Ģ. This scenic byway is about 28 miles from the north exit off Highway 20 near Harriman State Park to Ashton, Idaho on Highway 20.ġ. Lower Falls is less than a mile south from the Upper Falls.ĥ. You will first come to Upper Mesa Falls on your right or west side of the road (about 12 miles from the turnoff from Highway 20).Ĥ. Just north of Harriman State Park turn left onto Idaho State Road 47, this is known as the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.ģ. It is about 51 miles from West Yellowstone to the Upper Falls.Ģ. From West Yellowstone, Montana take US Highway 20 West towards Rexburg, Idaho. Getting Here: There are two main access routes to Mesa Falls:ġ. Location: Mesa Falls are located about 15 miles west of Yellowstone National Park in Eastern Idaho. Lower and Upper Mesa Falls have been enjoyed by travelers since the early 1900's. They share equally in the Development and Operation of the area(US Forest Service and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation). The Targhee National Forest and Idaho Department of Parks And Recreation have entered into a partnership to improve safety and recreational opportunities of the site. Targhee National Forest aquired the land through a Land Exchange with Montana Light and Power. Mesa Falls was placed into Public Ownership on December 12, 1986. Lower Mesa Falls has a horseshoe crest, whereas Upper Mesa Falls has a straight crest. Please-to ensure your own and your family's safety-stay on the walkways at all times.ħ0 - 80 feet / 21 - 24 meters at the crest of the fallsīoth Upper Mesa Falls and Lower Mesa Falls were created under simular conditions, but the nature of the volcanic rock at each location has created different forms for each waterfall. You can simply enjoy the power and beauty of the falls and watch the osprey and eagles that frequent the area. Mesa Falls Recreation area has lots of things to do. This equates to 387 million to 967 million gallons of water per day.Įach sunny day, a small rainbow is created by sunlight passing through the mist accents the falls from approximately 9:00 a.m. The average volume of water flowing over the falls varies between 600 to 1,500 cubic feet per second. Upper Mesa Falls is approximately 114 feet / 35 meters high and 300 feet / 91 meters wide. This creates the sharp lip and spectacular drop of the waterfall you see today.
Because the layers beneath the resistant one are softer, the falling water undercut the ledge above, eventually causing pieces of the harder rock to break away. As the canyon deepened downstream, a ledge formed overwhich the river flowed. Upper Mesa Falls was formed when Henry's Fork cut its canyon deep enough to encounter an especially resistant layer of hard volcanic rock. Idaho Highway 47 - Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
300 feet / 91 meters at the crest of the falls
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