Shell Falls

A Thundering Cascade in the Heart of Bighorn Canyon Country

Tucked along the scenic Bighorn Scenic Byway (U.S. Highway 14), where the highway carves its way through the steep and colorful walls of Shell Canyon, Shell Falls is one of the most breathtaking roadside stops in Wyoming. Here, Shell Creek plunges 120 feet over ancient granite, sending spray into the air and filling the canyon with the deep roar of water and wind.

Whether you’re road-tripping across the Bighorns or just looking for a short walk with a huge payoff, Shell Falls delivers beauty, geology, and a dose of wonder all within a few minutes of your car. Unfortunately the visitor area is currently closed for renovations.

A Geologic Marvel

Shell Falls doesn’t just offer stunning scenery it tells a story written in stone. The falls tumble over exposed Precambrian granite gneiss, rock that is over 2.9 billion years old, making it among the oldest visible rock formations in North America. Around the falls, layers of sandstone, shale, and limestone stack upward through time, recording hundreds of millions of years of Earth’s history in the canyon walls.

Interpretive signs along the paved paths help bring this geologic story to life, making Shell Falls one of the most educational and visually striking stops along the byway.

Easy Access, Big Views

Located about 24 miles southwest of Burgess Junction and roughly 11 miles east of the town of Shell, Shell Falls is part of the Bighorn National Forest and features a developed pull-off with restrooms, parking, and a fully accessible viewing area.

A short, paved trail system loops through the site, offering multiple viewing platforms where you can feel the mist on your face, photograph the canyon walls, or simply take in the thunderous energy of the falls. Benches and shaded areas make it a perfect stop for families, picnickers, and travelers of all ages and abilities.

From the viewing platforms, you can also see Fossil Hill, where ancient marine fossils are embedded in the limestone a reminder that this rugged canyon was once covered by warm, shallow seas.

A Gateway to Adventure

Shell Falls is more than just a roadside attraction it’s a gateway to the greater Shell Canyon area, which offers incredible opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, photography, and wildlife watching. Trails in the surrounding forest wind through wildflower meadows, aspen groves, and dramatic overlooks.

Shell Creek itself is a scenic, trout-filled stream that flows all the way from the high country of the Bighorns down through the canyon, offering excellent fly fishing in the right seasons.

If you’re continuing west toward Shell and Greybull, the drive opens into wide desert badlands and classic Bighorn Basin scenery — making Shell Falls a natural transition point between alpine and high desert ecosystems.

When to Visit

Shell Falls is seasonal, typically open from May through mid-October, depending on snowfall and road conditions. Summer and early fall are especially beautiful, with full water flow, blooming wildflowers, and golden cottonwoods lining the canyon.

Mornings and evenings offer the best light for photography, while mid-day visits provide the full impact of the falls’ energy and sound.

A Must-Stop on the Bighorn Scenic Byway

Whether you’re driving the Bighorn Scenic Byway for the first time or returning to your favorite mountain haunts, Shell Falls is a stop you won’t want to miss. It combines natural beauty, deep geologic history, and easy access in one unforgettable package.

Pull over, step out, and let the roar of Shell Falls remind you just how wild and wonderful Wyoming can be.