World of Waterfalls

Explore The World One Waterfall At A Time

Granite Falls

Jackson / Bridger Teton National Forest, Wyoming, USA

About Granite Falls

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.
Jump to: Photos, Videos, Other Info
Jump to: Comments and Reviews
Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Granite Falls was a waterfall in the Gros Ventre Mountains near Jackson Hole that surpassed my expectations for an attraction that didn’t require much hiking to experience.

After all, it featured a wide block waterfall with dimensions that I’m estimating to be roughly 40-50ft tall and 125-150ft wide.

Granite_Falls_011_08072020 - Granite Falls
Granite Falls

Perhaps even more surprising was that I noticed a little hidden-in-plain-sight natural thermal pool fed by a hot spring cascade across the rushing Granite Creek.

And on top of all the waterfall’s features, there were some beautiful mountains and formations further adding to the overall scenic allure of this spot.

Of course, a few hundred yards further upstream from the main waterfall was the more developed Granite Falls Hot Springs, which was a small swimming and soaking pool popular with locals and visitors in the know.

Nevertheless, as far as the waterfall itself was concerned, I only had to scramble less than a quarter-mile from the nearest parking area to the base of Granite Falls.

Granite_Falls_drive_013_iPhone_08072020 - The Granite Creek Road may be a bit on the rough and bumpy side (even though it's doable by 2wd passenger vehicles), it was the Gros Ventre Mountains seen during the drive that made it very scenic
The Granite Creek Road may be a bit on the rough and bumpy side (even though it’s doable by 2wd passenger vehicles), it was the Gros Ventre Mountains seen during the drive that made it very scenic

On the late afternoon that I showed up, it seemed to be a pretty popular spot despite the rough and bumpy pothole-ridden dirt road to get here.

I suspected that due to the close proximity of some popular primitive campsites here, it certainly enhanced the popularity of this somewhat locals spot.

During my August 2020 visit, I only wound up spending less than hour away from the car, but I easily could envision spending much longer here due to the this place’s location.

My only fear is that places like this are becoming more rare as time goes on (and more people use the internet to find once-local spots like this).

Granite_Falls_077_08072020 - Approaching the base of Granite Falls
Approaching the base of Granite Falls

In any case, for now, it’s one of the better “play” waterfalls that I’ve been to, and I sure hope it can stay that way.

The Granite Falls Experience

From the nearest parking area (see directions above), I followed one of several use-trails that all descended towards Granite Creek.

I started with the path that went more-or-less downstream of Granite Falls so I was able to get a more contextual look at it.

Given how narrow the “trails” were amongst the lush overgrowth by the banks of Granite Creek, I’m sure none of these trails were official (i.e. just created by random people and followed by others thereafter).

Granite_Falls_019_08072020 - Context of Granite Falls, Granite Creek, and the cliff formations up above (which I think the maps suggest is called 'The Open Door')
Context of Granite Falls, Granite Creek, and the cliff formations up above (which I think the maps suggest is called ‘The Open Door’)

Anyways, the contextual views of Granite Falls were nice because I also noticed an impressive cliff formation towering in the distance and hinting at the beauty of the Gros Ventre Range.

After having my fill of this spot, I then backtracked and followed other use-trails leading further upstream, which then veered back to Granite Creek for slightly closer views.

Some of these closer viewing spots were where I noticed people wading across the creek (likely around knee-deep to thigh-deep from what I saw) to get both unobstructed frontal views as well as access to the natural hot spring.

The use-trails ultimately led right up to the base of Granite Falls, where I managed to get profile views across the full width of the waterfall.

Granite_Falls_137_08072020 - Looking across Granite Creek at an interesting geothermally-heated spring-fed part of the creek just downstream of Granite Falls
Looking across Granite Creek at an interesting geothermally-heated spring-fed part of the creek just downstream of Granite Falls

Some kids use the fallen logs and jumble of rocks here to try to get part way across the creek before going into the water to continue their way to the other side.

I opted not to go to the other side of the creek, but maybe one day if we come back here, I’d like to bring my wife and daughter here so they can experience this place.

On the way back up to the small parking area, I noticed lots of black-headed plants or flowers in bloom, which I wasn’t sure if they were common or not, I definitely noticed lots of them in Western Wyoming and Nothern Utah..

Authorities

Granite resides in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Jackson in Sublette County, Wyoming. It is administered by the USDA Forest Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: jackson, jackson hole, wyoming, sublette county, bridger teton national forest, granite creek, hot springs



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls



How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.