Dunanda Falls Trail

Dunanda Falls Trail is a 16.9-mile round-trip out-and-back from Bechler Ranger Station through Bechler Meadows and up the Boundary Creek corridor to a 110-foot waterfall. The route gains about 550 feet, but the distance and several water crossings, not a steep climb, make it a full-day commitment. Allow around eight to nine hours, plus time at the falls. Go if the long walk is part of the appeal; choose a shorter Bechler hike if you mainly want a quick waterfall stop.

The trail starts between Bechler Ranger Station and the corral. From Ashton, follow Cave Falls Road and turn at the ranger-station sign. Begin on Bechler Meadows Trail; at the junction about 1.6 miles in, turn left onto Boundary Creek Trail. The first 3.9 miles are mostly level through lodgepole forest and small meadow openings before the Bartlett Slough crossing. After that, the route opens into meadows along the forest edge. Some stretches can be marshy, and shade comes and goes.

The short route crosses Bartlett Slough and then requires a ford of slow-moving Boundary Creek. Beyond it, the trail crosses an unnamed tributary three times: the first may be navigable over logs, and later crossings include a footbridge and another possible ford. Water levels change, so ask a ranger about crossings before setting out, especially before mid-July. The Bechler Meadows Cutoff avoids the Boundary Creek ford but adds about 0.6 miles each way and spends more time in open meadow, for an 18.1-mile round trip.

After the Boundary Creek ford, look south across the meadow for views of the Teton Range. The trail then follows the creek upstream through a riparian strip, slipping in and out of trees. Near the falls, the route climbs gently through open meadow and patches of lodgepole pine. The scenery changes in small stages rather than arriving all at once: forest first, then broad wet meadow, creekside shade, and finally a more open approach to the water.

Pass the Dunanda Falls spur and continue about 100 yards to Silver Scarf Falls, then return to the junction and take the spur toward Dunanda. Boundary Creek drops about 110 feet over a cliff in a broad curtain. The lower view is partly blocked, but the trail is described as reaching the top. A wide frame that keeps the creek and boulders in the foreground helps show the height of the falls. The stored trail line ends about 69 meters from the mapped waterfall point; the final short approach is not fully represented in the line.

Day hiking does not require a backcountry permit; overnight camping does. Pets are not allowed on Yellowstone hiking trails or in the backcountry. Visitors report warm pools below the falls, but I could not verify how the park classifies those exact pools. Yellowstone prohibits soaking in hot springs and touching thermal features or runoff, so do not treat reports of soaking as permission; ask a ranger before approaching the pools.