How to Get There
Kepler Cascades is located about two miles south of Old Faithful Village. The cascades are viewable from a roadside pullout.
Brief Description and History
The history of Kepler Cascades is closely tied to the early exploration of Yellowstone National Park and the political figures of the era.
Naming and Discovery
The cascades were officially named in 1881 by P.W. Norris, who was the second superintendent of the park. He chose the name to honor Kepler Hoyt, the 12-year-old son of John Hoyt, who was the Governor of the Wyoming Territory at the time.
The naming occurred during a tour of the park where the young Kepler accompanied his father. It remains one of the few major features in the park named after a child of a visiting dignitary rather than a scientist, explorer, or traditional geographic descriptor.
Geographic Context
- Formation: The cascades are formed by the Firehole River as it flows north toward the Madison River.
- Structure: It is a three-tiered cascade that drops approximately 50 feet into a canyon.
- Accessibility: Historically and presently, it is one of the most accessible waterfalls in the park, located just two miles south of Old Faithful Village and viewable from a roadside pullout.