Panther Creek Falls

Located near Big Lava Bed, northeast of Carson. Follow the Wind River Highway for 5.8 miles north of Carson, or 9.5 miles south of the signed turnoff for the Falls Creek trailhead, to Old State Road and turn east. Almost immediately turn left onto Panther Creek Road. Drive along Panther Creek Road for 7.4 miles to a large gravel pit on the right side of the road and park. There may or may not be a sign marking the trail to the falls on the opposite side of the road. As of 2019 the trail to the falls has been reconfigured - the old viewing deck at the top of the falls has been removed, and the trail has been re-routed to a new viewpoint at the base of the upper tier of the falls. Please obey the signs asking visitors to stay within the fenced areas to help allow the area to recover from the abuse it's suffered due to heavy visitation.Visually Panther Creek Falls is one of the most unique waterfalls in all of the United States. Found where Panther Creek plunges over a pair of steps in its valley, the creek begins by rushing towards the upper cliff, with a small portion of the creek splitting off from the main flow and plunging directly over the edge. The remaining 90 percent of the stream makes a hard right turn and follows a natural trough along the top of the cliff, contouring around the top of the horseshoe-shaped basin until reaching the far side, then plunging in a twisting fall for 69 feet to the bottom of the first step. Immediately adjacent to the main stream a large spring sends a broad veil of water sheeting 102 feet down the side of the canyon. After the collective waters of these streams merge, they plunge over the second tier in three distinct channels, falling 30 feet into a pool, with a broad 4-foot ledge immediately below to culminate the formation. Without visual aids to illustrate the scene it's quite complicated to imagine and grasp the complexity and eclecticism.
The upper tier of the falls was formerly viewed from a well designed viewing deck which was constructed overlooking the top of the falls. However following a fatality in 2018 the deck was removed and the trail system accessing the falls was reconfigured to move away from the cliff edge, limiting the views available from the top. In its place, an new formal trail was constructed leading to the bottom of the upper tier of the falls, ending at a fenced viewing area. Note the copious signage in the area instructing hikers to stay within the fenced off areas - this is largely due to the heavy visitation Panther Creek Falls has suffered in the last decade or so. Formerly lush beds of moss that coated the entire basin below the falls, much of which has since been trampled into bare dirt and mud. Keeping out of these areas will allow the moss to recover faster and will ensure the splendor of the area is restored for all to enjoy again.