Overview
Bucking Mule Falls is one of the most dramatic natural features on the eastern escarpment of Bighorn National Forest. The falls drop approximately 600 feet from the plateau edge into the Tongue River Canyon, visible from a viewpoint at the rim. With only 2.0 miles round-trip and minimal elevation change, this is one of the most accessible waterfall destinations in Wyoming, and the payoff is completely disproportionate to the effort.
The falls are formed by a small tributary stream that collects water from the Bighorn Plateau before reaching the escarpment edge and plunging in stages into the canyon below. The Tongue River Canyon here is among the deepest gorges on the eastern Bighorns, and standing at the rim with 600 feet of open air in front of you is a genuinely striking experience even for hikers who have seen larger waterfalls.
The Route
Miles 0.0 to 0.8: Trailhead through plateau forest. From the trailhead on FR-16, the path moves through open sagebrush and scattered conifers across the plateau surface. The terrain is flat and the footing is solid on packed dirt and occasional rock. There are no route-finding challenges. The canyon begins to reveal itself through the trees as you approach the rim.
Miles 0.8 to 1.0: Rim approach and viewpoint. The forest opens at the canyon rim, and the full scale of the drop becomes clear. The viewpoint sits at the top of a cliff band. The falls are visible in their entirety here: a white plume dropping 600 feet in a series of cascades against the red and gray canyon walls. Stay back from the edge. There are no barriers, and the ground near the rim can be loose.
Miles 1.0 to 2.0: Return. Retrace the same route to the trailhead. The return takes roughly the same time as the approach.
When to Hike
May and June offer the highest waterfall volume, fed by plateau snowmelt. The falls at peak flow are considerably more impressive than in late summer. Mornings are cool and the light from the east is favorable for photography.
July through October the falls remain active at lower volume. Summer afternoons can bring afternoon thunderstorms on the plateau; keep an eye on building clouds and be prepared to descend from the rim quickly if lightning threatens. The Bighorns see frequent summer lightning.
November through April the road to the trailhead may be closed or snow-covered. Check current conditions with the Bighorn National Forest office before attempting an off-season visit.
What to Bring
Many hikers carry 1 to 1.5 liters of water for this short trail. There is no water source along the route. Sun protection is worth bringing for the open plateau sections. Trekking poles are not essential but help on the return if the ground near the rim is soft or wet.
The rim viewpoint has no barriers or guardrails. Stay well back from the edge, keep dogs leashed, and supervise children closely near the cliff edge.
Trailhead Access
The trailhead is on FR-16 near Dayton, Wyoming, accessible from US-14 at the northern end of the Bighorns. The road is gravel but passable by standard passenger vehicles in dry conditions. No fee to park or hike (as of 2026). A vault toilet is at the trailhead. Cell service is absent in this area; download offline maps before leaving Dayton.
Nearby
Solitude Loop is in the same northern section of the forest and provides a more substantial hiking day with lake and ridge destinations. Medicine Wheel Trail on US-14A offers a cultural and historical destination near the Bighorn Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark.
Check road and current conditions at checking conditions before you go before visiting. Follow Leave No Trace principles and stay well back from the unguarded rim edge at the viewpoint.