Shell Falls, Waterfall in Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming
Shell Falls is a waterfall in the Big Horn Mountains where water cascades over multiple rock layers at varying speeds. The natural formation was carved where a creek cut through the mountainside along a zone of weakness in the bedrock.
The area around Shell Falls was covered by an ancient ocean millions of years ago, leaving behind fossilized shells and marine remains. These preserved traces are visible in the rock layers and tell the story of a vanished sea that once existed here.
The Shell Falls Interpretive Site educates visitors about the geological processes, water systems, and natural heritage of the Big Horn Mountains region.
A short walking path with several viewpoints lets you see the waterfall from different angles. Wear good footwear because the ground can be slippery, especially when wet from the spray.
Shells gave this waterfall its name and can still be found in the surrounding rocks today. Visitors can spot these ancient fossils in the stone formations and understand how the rock itself preserves traces of the past.
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