Bechler Short Loop, Yellowstone

Yellowstone NP, ID – In the far southwest corner of Yellowstone National Park is the “Cascade Corner”, where you can hike easy to moderate trails that follow rivers, lead to waterfalls, and traverse meadows. This is the Bechler region of Yellowstone National Park. Any first time trip to the Bechler region should include a visit to the Cave Falls of the Falls River, which is reachable by car on a rough unpaved road.

Cave Falls, on the Falls River, drops 20 feet

Cave Falls is the widest known waterfall in Yellowstone NP at 250 feet

Lower Cave Falls

After viewing Cave Falls, we opted to hike the Bechler Short Loop as described in Bill Schneider’s “Falcon Guide: Hiking Yellowstone National Park: A Guide to More than 100 Great Hikes.” Be aware that most creeks and rivers in the Bechler region are uncrossable until at least mid-July. Mosquitoes are also fierce and abundant until the middle of August. We started from the Bechler Ranger Station.

The Bechler River Cutoff Trail travels through lodgepole pine forest

All junctions were well labelled

From the trailhead we hiked a 7.8 mile counter clockwise loop consisting of:

Bechler River Cutoff Trail 1.7 miles
Bechler River Trail 2.0 miles
Rocky Ford Cutoff Trail 0.8 miles
Bechler Meadows Trail 1.7 miles
Boundary Creek Trail 1.6 miles

Bechler Short Loop is highlighted

Our route was fairly level with minor undulations. The loop could be completed in either direction with no reason for a preference of either direction. The route traveled through pine forests with varying understory. Along the Bechler River Trail the trail followed the river at varying distances with long stretches right next to the river. Rocky Ford Cutoff and Bechler Meadows trails had intermittent meadows interspersed with treed areas. For expansive views of the Bechler Meadows, travel an extra 1/2 mile on the Bechler Meadows Trail (away from the above loop). Boundary Creek Trail had more forest as it neared the end of our route. While we did not spot wildlife, we saw moose and elk scat and tracks.

The Bechler River

Another view of the Bechler River

A meadow section along our Bechler Loop hike

Early Fall color in the Bechler (September 11)

Bechler River

Along the Bechler Meadows Trail

To get to the Bechler Ranger Station/ Trailhead from Flagg Ranch: travel west on Grassy Lake Road/Reclamation Road through the Targhee National Forest. After exiting on the western side of the forest you will descend into farmland. There used to be a signed junction to turn right (north), but the sign was missing. We turned on one of the many roads that traveled north until we intersected Cave Falls Road. Follow Cave Falls Road until you see the sign for the ranger’s station and turn left (north). From this junction, Cave Falls is located straight ahead. The Bechler Region trailhead is located near the horse corral.
From the west, either Ashton Idaho or West Yellowstone: take Idaho Highway 47. Follow this highway to Green Timber Road, which turns into Cave Falls Road. Continue about 2 miles to a junction where the pavement starts, turn left here to reach the trailhead at the ranger station. Allow 1 hour from Ashton, Idaho, a distance of 22 miles.

We hiked this trail while staying at Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch. From Flagg Ranch we also hiked: