Hiking Bridal Veil Falls
Clark’s Fork Canyon, and the approach to Bridal Veil Falls.
DIFFICULTY: 2
TIME TO COMPLETE: 2 hours
DISTANCE: 3.9 miles out-and-back
SEASONALITY: Summer
FEES/PERMIT: No
DOG FRIENDLY: Yes
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS: Beautiful mountain climb, close to town
Summary: At just under 4 miles round trip, Bridal Veil Falls is a great excursion that’s close to town and easy to get to.
Bridal Veil Falls tumbles off the Beartooth Plateau and plunges into a hidden canyon on the north wall of the Clarks Fork Canyon. This is a great hike for families or folks wanting to get out but not spend a whole day driving or hiking. The trip into the Clarks Fork Canyon is an experience in and of itself with some spectacular geology, the rushing river and those crystal clear bluebird skies.
Who’s Going to Love It
This is a perfect for families with young children who can march along for about three miles without getting too tuckered out. There’s plenty to keep little ones occupied, including some cool rocks, the river and getting pretty close to the waterfall. The trail is mostly level except for the last short uphill climb to the base of the falls.
This would also be a great hike to take guests from out of town - the distance and lack of elevation gain are good for flat-landers. Plus you absolutely can’t beat the views of the canyon as you’re driving in. If you want to extend the day and distance, just keep heading upstream along the Clarks Fork towards the Narrows.
What Makes It Great
In the spring, Bridal Veil Falls has a pretty impressive output, thanks to snowmelt from the Beartooth Plateau. It’s less impressive later in the summer, but with fall rains it can come back in again. If you are a little more adventurous and don’t mind getting wet, you can rock scramble close to the actual base of the falls. It’s not easy to get to, but could be fun, especially on a hot day.
Due to its south exposure, this is a good hike in the winter. The trail along the river stays fairly open and it’s not that far back to the car if you do get wet from snow. In the spring and summer the birding is good through here - look for American Dippers, lots of swallows, common mergansers in the river and listen for rock and canyon wrens. Rockhounds might even bring home a prized piece of spotted leopard rock.
Directions
From Cody take Wyoming 120 north to Clark, about 33 miles and turn left on Road 1AB toward Clark. Stay left on County Road 8VC, also called Canyon Road, and continue for nine miles to the end of the road and the junction with the Morrison Jeep Trail. The trail is the two-track road along the river. At 1.5 miles from the parking area, watch for a dry creek bed and a BLM trail marker, which may or may not be standing. Turn right/north here and head toward the canyon wall. You should be able to see the waterfall from this point.
Take bear spray and bug spray. The mosquitoes can carry you away early in the spring and summer. There’s not much shade until you get close to the waterfall, and it can be incredibly windy through the canyon. Try to find a day when the winds are less than hurricane strength.
This hike is an excerpt from Sunlit Trails, our locally written guidebook to hiking in Northwest Wyoming and Yellowstone. If you’re looking for more trail inspiration, maps, and local insight, you can pick up a copy in-store, online, or at Legends Bookstore in Cody.