A 200-foot backcountry waterfall near Grand Prismatic Spring, reached by an easy 5.4-mile round-trip trail in Yellowstone National Park.
Fairy Falls drops about 200 feet in Yellowstone National Park, reached by trail from the Old Faithful area near Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Spring. The National Park Service lists it as an easy, mostly flat day hike of 5.4 miles round trip to the falls, or 6.7 miles round trip if the route is extended to also visit Spray and Imperial geysers.
Hikers can start from either the end of Fountain Flat Drive or the Fairy Falls parking lot about a mile south of Midway Geyser Basin; the Park Service notes that parking at both lots is very limited. There is no separate activity fee, though the standard Yellowstone entrance fee applies, and pets are not allowed on the trail. The hike is listed as accessible in summer, fall, and winter, but as with any Yellowstone trail, check the park's Backcountry Conditions page before heading out, carry water, and stay alert for wildlife along the route.
Know before you go
Fairy Falls Trailhead, reached from the end of Fountain Flat Drive or a lot about 1 mile south of Midway Geyser Basin; parking is very limited.
Open summer, fall, and winter; check the Backcountry Conditions page before heading out.
5.4 miles round trip to the falls; 6.7 miles round trip if extended to Spray and Imperial geysers.
No separate activity fee; standard Yellowstone entrance fee applies.
Listed as an easy day hike on a mostly flat trail; verify current conditions with the park.
2026-10-12. Conditions and requirements can change; confirm with the land manager before travelling.
Sources & further reading
- NPS — Fairy Falls Trail ↗
- NPS — Day Hikes in the Old Faithful Area ↗
- USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ↗
This is a researched visitor guide, not a claim that our editors have personally visited. Trail conditions, permits, and access can change.
