Dunanda Falls Hike

On June 25th, Kimball, Mark & I went to the southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park and hiked from the Bechler Ranger Station to Dunanda Falls. The hike is between 8 and 9 miles and is mostly flat. We were warned that June is too early to do this hike but we didn't listen. We should have listened. This corner of Yellowstone (aka Cascade Corner) is low and wet. In June, even the last week of June, it can be very wet. We left the ranger station at 7:10 AM and were at the falls by 11. The sign below is what greeted us.

As we approached, we could see the falls off to the right hand side of the trail. The description of Silver Scarf Falls I had was that it was kind of pretty but not too large. As you can see, in June there is plenty of water coming down.

Silver Scarf Falls


Just .2 miles to the left is the spectacular Dunanda Falls. While Silver Scarf Falls is a cascade of water coming down at an angle, Dunanda Falls is a straight drop off. The trail takes you to a great viewing site but you can continue a little bit farther to the brink of the falls for a view that is a rush.

Dunanda Falls



Because we went so early in the year, many of the meadows that we hiked through still had about 4 inches of standing water. I'd guess that we had about a third of the hike with our feet in water. We had about 8 stream crossings and only the first one had a bridge. While walking with wet feet can get a little uncomfortable, the big thing that water brings is mosquitos. Big, hungry, aggressive mosquitos. If you go early take plenty of deet. You won't take too much.

This hike is worth it. Any time of the year (well, I can only vouch for June but i'm betting that August will be good too, anybody want to come along?). Go prepared for what is ahead (even water and mosquitos) You get a wonderful hike and two great waterfalls all for the effort of one hike.