Shell Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Shell Falls is a waterfall in Big Horn County, Wyoming, about 23 miles east of Greybull. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Big Horn County, WY

Nearest town

Greybull (23 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.8 from 83 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Coordinates

44.58646, -107.61242

USGS topo

Shell Falls quad

Getting there

Shell Falls sits about 23 miles east of Greybull in Big Horn County. Navigate to the coordinates 44.58646, -107.61242, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Shell Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Most of Wyoming's falls lie in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks or in national forests such as the Bridger-Teton, Shoshone and Bighorn, which brings entrance fees for the parks and busy summer parking at popular stops such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Jenny Lake. Grizzly and black bears inhabit the northwest and the Wind Rivers, so bear spray and good food storage are standard. In Yellowstone, stay on boardwalks and trails near thermal areas and keep well away from bison and elk. Canyon rims and wet rock around falls are dangerous, and snowmelt rivers are cold and swift. Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning are common in summer at high elevations.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Shell Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Wyoming. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 44.58646, -107.61242 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 316 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Warm layers. Northern and mountain weather changes quickly; spring and fall mornings can be near freezing.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

Wyoming's falls run highest with mountain snowmelt, generally from late May through early July, with peak flows a little later at higher elevations. Yellowstone's interior roads usually open to cars in spring and close in early November, so late May through October is the practical window for most park falls; in winter, the interior is reached mainly by snowcoach or snowmobile tours. The Bechler area is often wet and buggy in early summer, and river fords there are more manageable later in the season. Wind River backcountry falls are best visited from July into September, once trails melt out. September brings fewer crowds and golden aspens, though snow can arrive early at elevation. 83 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Shell Falls holds a 4.8-star average across 83 Google reviews, and 89% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Big Horn County. Visitors have shared 316 photos.

Natural attraction featuring a large waterfall with informational signs & an interpretive center.

The topics that come up most in reviews: canyonwalking routesoverlooksscenic drivesceneryviewscool spotgeologycampgroundrestrooms

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Shell Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on June 5, 1979, and it appears on the USGS Shell Falls 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Brindle Creek (stream, 0.4 mi), Bull Springs (spring, 0.4 mi), Survey Creek (stream, 1.1 mi), and Barrel Spring (spring, 1.1 mi).

Bighorn Mountains and Central Wyoming. The Bighorn Mountains rise sharply above the Bighorn Basin, and their western canyons expose layered limestone and ancient granite. Shell Falls, along the scenic highway through Shell Canyon in the Bighorn National Forest, is viewed from an interpretive site beside the road, and Porcupine Falls lies farther north in the same range. In central Wyoming, Garden Creek Waterfall in Casper's Rotary Park tumbles down the face of Casper Mountain and is viewed from a nearby trail. Converse, Platte and Albany counties add a few scattered falls in the Laramie Range and nearby uplands, near Glenrock, Douglas and Wheatland.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Shell Falls about 23 miles east of Greybull is rated 4.8 out of 5 by 83 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Shell Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.