Lower Mesa Falls

Lower Mesa Falls drops 65 feet in a wide, powerful curtain where the Henrys Fork surges over another basalt step in the canyon, less than a mile downstream from its taller sibling. The falls are broader and more diffuse than Upper Mesa Falls, spreading across the full width of the river in a complex pattern of cascades and channels. The viewing angle from the canyon rim places the falls against a backdrop of dense forest stretching to the Teton skyline.

The falls can be reached via the 2.1-mile Mesa Falls Nature Trail from the Upper Mesa Falls parking area, or via a shorter path from a separate pulloff along the scenic byway. The nature trail follows the canyon rim through wildflower meadows and lodgepole forest, with interpretive signs covering the volcanic geology of the Henrys Fork caldera. The experience of hiking between two major waterfalls on the same river is unique in Idaho.

Visit from May through July for peak water flow. Lower Mesa Falls sees a fraction of the visitors that Upper Mesa Falls attracts, making it a quieter and more contemplative experience. The overlook platform is smaller and more exposed — bring a windbreaker, as canyon drafts can be brisk even in summer.