A waterfall is not merely a feature of the landscape; it is a mechanism of the watershed, a place where gravity and geology intersect to oxygenate the stream and shape the valley floor. Knowles Falls is a 10-foot waterfall on the Yellowstone River, located within Yellowstone National Park. It is accessed via the Blacktail Deer Creek Trail, which descends through rolling, grassy hills and Douglas-fir forest to the Yellowstone River. The falls are situated in the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone.

The Ecology of the Approach

To reach the falls requires engaging with the landscape on its own terms. The route follows the Blacktail Deer Creek Trail, covering a round-trip distance of 14.0 miles. The terrain demands a strenuous effort, a fair exchange for the privilege of observing this mechanism of the watershed at close range.

Practical Geography

Land Management: NPS Region: Yellowstone National Park Height: 10 feet Optimal Season: Not documented

Conservation Notes

Permits are required for overnight camping in the backcountry, but not for day hiking. Grizzly bears frequent this area, so hikers should be prepared. Knowles Falls is a known barrier to upstream fish migration.