Tower Fall

In the northeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park, in the U.S. state of Wyoming, there is a waterfall called Tower Fall that flows into Tower Creek. It is located approximately three miles south of Roosevelt Junction on Tower-Canyon road.

The fall plunges 132 feet around 1,000 yards (910 m) upstream from the creek's confluence with the Yellowstone River (40 m). Hot Spring Creek's Tower Fall, where that stream precipitates in one continuous body from an amygdaloid cliff, drops 115 feet steep into a deep canyon before merging with the Yellowstone a few hundred yards below. The stream has carved its way through amygdaloid masses at the top of the fall, creating tall granite spires that range in height from 50 to 100 feet. There are some of them that stand like sentinels on the verge of collapsing since they are so fragile and crumble easily under minimal pressure.

The view from the top of Tower Fall is breathtaking. A clear, freezing stream flows down the narrow valley, crashing over stones and tree trunks that have fallen into the channel as it descends from a ledge 100 feet below to the bottom of the abyss, almost 200 feet below. A spur from the enormous plateau rises above all, with a perpendicular front of 400 feet, while the walls of the abyss are eroded into caves lined with variously colored mosses that are fed by spray clouds that rise from the waterfall.

A nice view of Tower Fall can be obtained from the cliff at the foot of the falls or from both sides of the canon. Nothing could be more chastely beautiful than this exquisite waterfall, which is concealed in the shadowy light of rocks and trees, its voice muffled to a faint murmur, and undetectable from a few hundred yards away. Once you have seen Tower Fall, its image will be the best memory of your journey.

In short, Tower Fall:

• Located in the northeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park and flows into Tower Creek.
• Plunges 132 feet about 1,000 yards (910 m) upstream.
• You can enjoy a beautiful view of Tower Fall from the cliffs at the base of the falls or from both sides of the gorge.