Five Springs Falls
Personal Notes
This page contains our personal notes on our visit to Five Springs Falls in Wyoming.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
2:33 p.m.
We drove west from the Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark and found ourselves on a winding highway heading down into the Big Horn Basin. Eventually we spotted the sign for the Five Springs Campground and Five Springs Falls. Although the road from the highway to the campground is paved, it is in terrible condition. The asphalt pavement has broken away in so many places, making the road very bumpy, that it would almost be better if it were a gravel or dirt road that could be graded annually. Besides the potholes, the road has tight twists and turns with several blind corners and steep slopes off the edges. This road requires careful driving, caution, and slow speeds. It's no wonder they discourage trailers and RVs over 25 feet.
Our goal on this day was a visit to the Five Springs Falls. As you approach the campground, take the road to the upper campground (left) and park wherever you can find a space. There is a vault toilet at this location, and there is drinking water near the campsites.
There is a trail at the top of the paved loop that leads uphill toward the falls. There is a lot of low growth and tall trees in this area, and the trail is washed out in some areas, so some care must be taken. Soon you will hear the roar of the stream and will come upon a view of one of the short, lower falls. If you are into climbing over slip, water soaked rock, continue on uphill toward the main waterfall. If you are careful, and don't mind a slipped foot in the water, you'll be rewarded by a great view of the main waterfall. It is very tall, with lots of water spilling from its pouroff high up in the rocks. We visited late in the season and there was still a considerable amount of water cascading down over the lower rocks. And there was quite a bit of spray. So earlier in the year would no doubt present more water and more spray, and more wet rocks.
The climbed back down was more difficult, as can often be the case. Finding a foothold when you can't see where your foot is dangling can be disconcerting. But we made it back to the truck without a mishap, and enjoyed the short trip.
Some of the site in the upper part of the campground look like you would have to carry your equipment a short ways to a designated camping location. I believe the group site is located in this upper campground as well. The lower campground has fewer sites, as well as a location for a campground host. There was no host in the site on our visit.
