Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls is a slender, 200-foot ribbon of water dropping free-fall into a shallow pool in Yellowstone's backcountry, making it one of the tallest and most graceful waterfalls in the park. The falls sit in a forested clearing that opens up just enough to give you a clean, unobstructed view of the entire drop. Shoot from the base of the falls to capture the full height with a wide-angle lens, using the surrounding lodgepole pines to frame the scene and add a sense of scale. Overcast days work exceptionally well here by softening the light and reducing contrast on the white water, though morning light filtering through the trees can add atmosphere. The trail is about 1.6 miles one way from the trailhead, relatively flat and straightforward; sturdy shoes are recommended. A polarizing filter helps manage reflections in the pool and brings out the surrounding greens. (Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States)