---
id: "2047"
name: Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
distance: "28.7"
duration: Allow 1 hour.
description: The Mesa Falls Scenic Byway offers travelers a scenic drive along the Falls River and past Upper and Lower Mesa Falls.
path: yt~kGpifgTH_dIJyaARap@Hso@DmaACmL[{Bs@kCu@kAs@u@mCkAk_@Dq@Gq@_@_DkC{kA}pAiB_BcBy@eBYyTE_^RgIg@mC]iDk@aBy@yBiCk@eAwBeHyA_Cu@a@mE_A}Bu@s@y@q@oAg@aBUaBiAmOi@sC}@{CaAkBo@y@cLwLu@kAeA_CiAgGsAgJImAIyFSsAg@mAm@s@eImHeFkDgBgBiA{A}E_IiByD}CcIuAgCiBwBsByAyAm@wBMqFz@iGmAwHgBiS_EsBm@cAk@_A_A_AyAi@sAc@_B_@gCIkA?sBHeAd@wCx@yCLkAFqACmAU{Aw@yC}AgFcAyB{@eAgCyBu@mAw@kBQy@iAaGs@sAiA_AsGeCmA{@y@cAi@mAyB{Is@_CeAsAsCaCgBmBoAkDo@{@mFyBaByA{@_BmBaFyBgDu@_Bm@qBu@m@uAg@}AQcBBi@HoH|DeGnHi@Ri@FqBO{@m@yCeEm@e@o@W_@Ce@FcAp@s@t@e@jAeEnRgBnGkAjCmIhPoB|Hc@hA_Az@oAp@mDfAiAx@iCjDgDzDs@rAgChKqBxDm@p@yBxA{o@zf@}BrC_A~A{F`MyCrEu@z@aCvAaBx@eErA{LpCsk@pOgVxIu@f@gAtAkBlE_@h@_AfAaB|@mj@|JuAf@iA|@sAdBe@x@k@xAeeA~cD}ZpaAe@lAgBrCmTd\uDrEgsDrtCcBdAmAl@id@tL}NrD}WzDmB|@o@^aAfAcLtP}AdBof@fc@wA~@iAd@y@NeBJia@P_g@{CsB`@qG`DsDrA{]`JcDj@yAFm@A}AY{Ae@cAg@cBeAsGaFsAq@y@S_BMwKWqAMcA_@yEgCiCq@iQk@_NUcBRmBx@mA`AcBpB}@fBo@lBsNjh@o^lpA{AvEi@bAyAfBk@f@kXrM}ElC}AfAyC\yAE}V_DwF_AyBq@mWuL]Ge@Pe@`@
websites:
  - url: https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/scenic-byways-backcountry-drives/mesa-falls-scenic-byway/
    name: Idaho Travel Guide
attractions:
  - url: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ctnf
    name: Caribou-Targhee National Forest
  - url: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/umbagog
    name: Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
designations:
  - National Forest Scenic Byway
  - Idaho State Scenic Byway
states:
  - ID
ll:
  - -111.44872299999997
  - 44.07133900000002
bounds:
  - - -111.44872299999997
    - 44.071049000000016
  - - -111.28292099999999
    - 44.33972900000009
books: "978-1426219054"

---

Connecting with the Teton Scenic Byway at Ashton, the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway takes you to two of the last undisturbed waterfalls of consequence in the West. Main attractions, the Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are the last major falls in Idaho that have not been used for irrigation or hydroelectric projects. At 110 feet and 85 feet, respectively, they offer equally spectacular views in a beautiful forest setting. The upper waterfall has been developed with paths and viewing areas and is easily accessible to all. At Lower Mesa Falls, the Snake River is squeezed into a gorge that drops 65 feet. The best view is from Grandview Campground and Overlook. The glassy waters froth to mist in an even higher 11-story, 114-foot plunge. Simply awesome!