Shell Falls in the Big Horn Mountains

Shell Falls in the Big Horn Mountains east of Greybull, Wyoming along US-14

Shell Falls is located in Shell Canyon, a few miles east of Shell, Wyoming and 25 miles east of Greybull, Wyoming. There is an Forest Service Interpretive Center along US-14 with walkways and platforms for viewing the falls. Most importantly, the interpretive center has a spacious parking lot and clean rest rooms. Take advantage of those rest rooms when you visit Shell Falls because that might be the only one you see in the next hour or so.

Views from the platforms are just OK, but Shell Falls could be made into a great attraction but I suspect this area of Wyoming does not attract enough tourist to invest the necessary money.

The geology visible in Shell Canyon and at Shell Falls is indeed impressive. One kiosk at the information center said there was 2.5-billion years of geologic history exposed in the walls of Shell Canyon. I can not wrap my mind around 2.5-billion years.

Shell Creek downstream of Shell Falls in the Big Horn Mountains east of Greybull, Wyoming along US-14

These pictures just don't do Shell Falls and Shell Creek justice. One just has to be there to experience the beauty of Shell Falls and Shell Canyon.

Geologic fault at Shell Falls in the Big Horn Mountains east of Greybull, Wyoming along US-14

Shell Falls is one of the waterfalls on Shell Creek in the Bighorn National Forest, about halfway down Shell Canyon, and a few miles upstream from the town of Shell in northeast Wyoming. The falls are 120 feet in height and tumble over basement rock of granite.

Shell Creek at Shell Falls in the Big Horn Mountains east of Greybull, Wyoming along US-14

We took this picture of Shell Creek as it flowed through Precambrian igneous rocks (probably granite). The view is directly below us and we are only able to take this picture because of the specially constructed viewing platform at the Forest Service Interpretive Center.

Geologic fault at Shell Falls in the Big Horn Mountains east of Greybull, Wyoming along US-14

Shell Falls and Shell Canyon would be a great stop on the way to or from Yellowstone, National Park or from Cody, Wyoming.

Shell Canyon and Shell Falls are about an hour and a half, 75 miles, west of Sheridan, Wyoming on US-14. Continuing west from Shell Falls on US-14 will take you through Greybull, Wyoming then Cody, Wyoming and on into the east gate of Yellowstone, National Park.

If you are in an RV you probably should NOT be traveling across the Big Horn Mountains on Highway US 14 warning stated, another way would be: the grades between Sheridan, Wyoming on the east and Greybull, Wyoming on the west are wicked and long and NOT a good idea for RV's. I can tell you that we do NOT drive our motorhome across the Big Horn Mountains on US-14 or US-14a or US-16.

There should be no issue for automobiles that are in good condition.

Shell Creek flowing deep in the geologic fault at Shell Falls in the Big Horn Mountains

Another view of Shell Creek flowing to the little town of Shell, Wyoming.

Shell Creek downstream of Shell Falls in the Big Horn Mountains east of Greybull, Wyoming along US-14

Joyce took this picture from a viewing platform at the Forest Service Interpretive Center at Shell Falls. This view is looking west down Shell Canyon as Shell Creek plunges down the canyon to the Big Horn Basin. These pictures do not do Shell Falls justice and Joyce would be the first one to admit one must be there to enjoy the beauty of the falls and Shell Canyon.

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