Shell Falls - Thundering Heartbeat of the Bighorn Mountains

Photo looking over viewing platformOver the past million years, Shell Creek has incised a deep chasm through the sedimentary stone and ancient granite. The water of Shell Falls, dropping at a rate of 3,600 gallons per second, follows fractures in the resistant granite. Shell Canyon is named for the shell fossils found in the sedimentary canyon walls.

Shell Falls Interpretive Site is located on U.S. Highway 14, 21 miles southwest of Burgess Junction, Wyoming. The site is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week, Memorial Day through mid-September. 

Brochures of Shell Falls are available online: 

Our Invaluable Resource

Learn more about:

Photo of Shell Falls waterfall and creekMoving Mountains, Carving Canyons - Find out how Shell Canyon was formed.

 

Photo of riparian area along creekA Green Ribbon of Life - Shell Canyon is an oasis in an arid region; see why.

 

Photo of an irrigated ranchLifeblood of the West - Learn how water influences the lives and livelihoods of this region.

 

Photo of Shell Falls Interpretive Site Resource Conservation at Shell Falls - See how the Bighorn NF is reducing water and energy use at Shell Falls.