Upper Mesa Falls is the showpiece of the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway: the Henry's Fork of the Snake River drops over a wide ledge of volcanic rock in one thundering curtain of water. On a sunny morning the mist throws rainbows across the canyon.
An accessible trail and boardwalk lead from the historic Big Falls Inn, built around 1915 and now the Mesa Falls Visitor Center, down to viewpoints right beside the brink. The visitor center usually opens in late May and has exhibits on the area's natural and cultural history.
Closed for renovation: the Forest Service closed the Upper Mesa Falls area on August 10, 2026 for road repair and renovation, into the winter, with no reopening date yet. Lower Mesa Falls stays open. Check with the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District at (208) 652-7442 before you go.
