Upper Mesa Falls
Ashton, ID
A 34 m waterfall on the Henrys Fork seen from boardwalks, on the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway (ID-47). Small day fee; the byway is closed in winter.
Upper Mesa Falls is a waterfall on the Henrys Fork of the Snake River in Caribou-Targhee National Forest in eastern Idaho, about 16 miles (26 km) from Ashton. The fall is 114 feet (35 m) high and 200 feet (61 m) wide. It plunges over tuff formed about 1.3 million years ago by rhyolitic volcanism of the Henrys Fork Caldera. Visit Idaho calls Upper and Lower Mesa Falls the last prominent waterfalls on the Snake River that are not influenced by humans.
Lower Mesa Falls lies about a mile (1.6 km) to the south. A path and an accessible wooden boardwalk lead from the visitor center to the viewpoints.
Important for your planning: the Forest Service closed the Upper Mesa Falls area from August 10, 2026 for renovation work. According to East Idaho News on September 17, 2026, Upper and Lower Mesa Falls remained closed because of several construction projects, including road work and new asphalt trails; the article gave no end date for the closure, and a full reopening is expected in spring. Visit Idaho names May 2027 (as of October 2026). Be sure to check the status beforehand.
- Nearest town
- Ashton, ID
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.1880, -111.3290
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Grandview CampgroundCampsite1 mi from Upper Mesa Falls · 9 pitchesTentsMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToilets
- Warm River CampgroundCampsite5 mi from Upper Mesa FallsTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToilets
- Buffalo CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Upper Mesa FallsTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToilets
- Buttermilk CampgroundCampsite17 mi from Upper Mesa FallsTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToilets
- McCrea Bridge CampgroundCampsite19 mi from Upper Mesa Falls · 23 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesDrinking waterToilets
- Upper Coffeepot CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Upper Mesa Falls · 14 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToilets
All campsites in Idaho · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Upper Mesa Falls?
Upper Mesa Falls is in Ashton, ID, at GPS 44.1880, -111.3290. It is about 35 mi from West Yellowstone.
Can you camp near Upper Mesa Falls?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Grandview Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 18 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Upper Mesa Falls?
Upper Mesa Falls is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Mesa Falls to Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon, Hayden Valley and Cody.
What is there to see near Upper Mesa Falls?
Places worth a stop nearby: Harriman State Park (11 mi), Old Faithful Inn (31 mi), Old Faithful (31 mi) and Grand Prismatic Spring (34 mi).
When is the best time to visit Upper Mesa Falls?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)