Looking for more to explore in Yellowstone National Park?
Head south for a short hike to Grand Prismatic Spring followed by more geysers (including Old Faithful) at the Upper Geyser Basin.

DIFFICULTY

Easy, Moderate, or Challenging — you pick! — You can enjoy the accessible viewpoints at Lookout Point, Inspiration Point, and Artist Point, or hike the short but steep trails to Brink of the Lower Falls and Red Rock Point. Check out Our Experience below for the details.

CURRENT INFO

Visit the Yellowstone National Park website for more information on the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. There are many hiking options in this area, and trail information is available on AllTrails. When planning a trip to Yellowstone, I recommend the guidebooks Moon Yellowstone & Grand Teton and Moon Best of Yellowstone & Grand Teton, both by Becky Lomax. The former has the most in-depth coverage of these two national parks, while the latter is ideal for a shorter trip.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Since the the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is located within Yellowstone National Park, you must either pay an entrance fee of up to $35 (valid for up to seven days) or use the America the Beautiful pass (or other national parks pass) to enter. You can purchase an annual American the Beautiful pass ahead of time online, or in person at any entrance station to Yellowstone National Park.
• Check ahead of time to see if you qualify for a free or reduced price pass — seniors, fourth graders and active military do! Fourth graders must print a voucher ahead of time to qualify.
• Flush or vault toilets are available at some (but not all) trailheads, and at the Canyon Visitor Center.
• The Canyon Visitor Education Center is located at nearby Canyon Village. I recommend stopping here to learn more about Yellowstone National Park’s incredible geological history.
• Canyon Village offers a campground, lodge, casual restaurant, and general store. Stop in for Montana-made ice cream from Big Dipper. Most services are open from mid-May through mid- to late October.
• Expect crowds during the day at many Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone viewpoints. Go early to avoid the busiest times. Since most visitors are just stopping at the viewpoints, you can also escape the crowds by hiking the trails along either the North or South Rim. You’ll still pass the busy viewpoints, but also enjoy a taste of solitude on the trail.
• Pets are not allowed on trails along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or most other trails in Yellowstone National Park.
• Always stay on the trail. This protects the natural environment and keeps you safe — there are some steep drop offs along the canyon!
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone showcases a different side of the national park, one where massive waterfalls tumble through craggy canyons. There are no geysers here, but the power of water is still on full display. My personal favorite stops include the Brink of the Lower Falls, Lookout and Red Rock Points, and Artist Point.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

The kids didn’t know what to expect from the so-called “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone”, but when we caught our first true view of the canyon walls towering overhead while Lower Falls thundered beneath our feet, they were impressed. The Brink of the Lower Falls was our first stop on this journey, and it’s a good one.

Be aware that getting to the Brink of the Lower Falls involves a long series of downhill switchbacks. And you know what they say about hiking… if you go down, you must come up. For a much shorter option, head to the Brink of the Upper Falls. It’s not as impressive (or some might say terrifying) as the Brink of the Lower Falls, but it’s pretty cool nevertheless.

For adventurous kids, I highly recommend the Red Rock Point Trail. Be warned — this trail has a lot of stairs, and is not for those with a strong fear of heights. For short stops with fewer stairs, I recommend Lookout Point and Inspiration Point on the North Rim, and the Upper Falls Viewpoints and Artist Point on the South Rim.

Finally, be sure to stop by the Canyon Visitor Education Center. Many of the exhibits highlight Yellowstone’s geological history. Think earthquakes, geysers, and volcanic eruptions. My kids were enthralled, and it was probably their favorite visitor center in Yellowstone.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Yellowstone National Park is giant, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a long drive from many other famous sights in the park, such as Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin. It works well to include the canyon as part of a full day spent exploring either the lower loop or upper loop drive through Yellowstone. For example, if doing the Lower Loop drive, you can also stop at some of the thermal areas. To maximize your time at the canyon, focus on just one or two of the smaller thermal areas, such as steamy Norris Geyser Basin, gorgeous Grand Prismatic Spring, or the stinky, seething Mud Volcano.

We stayed at beautiful Madison Campground while at Yellowstone National Park. It’s one of the most centrally located campgrounds in the park, and a good choice if you prefer to stay in one location. Another option is Canyon Campground, located conveniently close to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It has a shorter season than Madison Campground, and was closed during our October visit.

This guide takes you to the best stops along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in the order we experienced them, including a stop at the Canyon Visitor Education Center.
Use the information provided to create your own personalized trip. We started our tour on the North Rim, then finished with the South Rim, but you can also choose to do the South Rim first.

BRINK OF THE LOWER FALLS

The Brink of the Lower Falls is the first stop along the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone after you turn onto North Rim Drive from the Grand Loop Road. North Rim Drive is one way only, so these stops must be done in the order listed (unless you want to do a lot of extra driving).

For those willing and able to make the climb, the Brink of the Lower Falls is a powerful first look into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. If a switchback trail isn’t your cup of tea, make a quick stop to catch the view from the overlook, then continue the drive to Lookout Point. If you are up for a short but steep hike, skip the overlook (for now at least) and head straight for the trail.

The trail to the Brink of Lower Falls is only 0.7 miles out and back, but don’t let the low mileage fool you. Ten switchbacks lead down nearly 600 feet to the viewpoint at the edge of Lower Falls. Here, the water thunders underfoot, adding a dramatic backdrop to a stunning view into the canyon. Although there is a fence, we still felt a twinge of apprehension standing so close to the brink of this mighty waterfall.

When you’re ready, it’s time to head back up the steep switchbacks to the parking lot. Fortunately, there’s no need to rush — your car will wait. This is also a good spot for a rest break, as it’s the only viewpoint on the North Rim with a vault toilet. If you’re hoping for flush toilets, you’ll have to hold it until we reach the Canyon Visitor Center.

LOOKOUT POINT

Our next stop, Lookout Point, is just half a mile down the road from the trailhead for the Brink of the Lower Falls. This is also the trailhead for Red Rock Point, so you get two viewpoints for the price of one!

Lookout Point is a great accessible viewpoint. Barrier-free paved pathways give visitors access to the views without the stairs. The view of Lower Falls is awe-inspiring, and the canyon itself is breathtaking. While I wouldn’t call the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone a hidden gem, it’s often overshadowed by the park’s famous geysers. One look at this view, and I think you’ll agree that this unique slice of Yellowstone is not to be missed.

RED ROCK POINT

If Lookout Point merely whetted your appetite for more, have I got a viewpoint for you! With Red Rock Point, the journey is half the fun. In less than half a mile, the trail descends 246 feet along a series of stairways and narrow ledges. I love it, but fully acknowledge it’s not for everyone. Once you climb down, there’s no option other than to go back up, after all.

The trail to Red Rock Point is just 0.7 miles out and back, but plan on allowing 30 minutes to one hour to complete the trek. Take your time on the stairs, and give yourself a break at the bottom to take in the view. While similar to the view from Lookout Point, you will feel closer to the falls.

With the trek to Red Rock Point behind us, we’ve completed the two most adventurous mini-hikes on this tour. But if you want more hiking, Yellowstone has plenty to offer. Consider hiking along the South Rim, or taking the trail to Point Sublime or Ribbon Lake. Or just relax and enjoy the views to come…

INSPIRATION POINT

Inspiration Point is aptly named. Although you won’t see Lower Falls from this area, you will get one of the best views into the depths of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This viewpoint was recently rebuilt, and the walkways and stairs are in excellent shape. Yes, there are stairs. Fortunately, there are some wheelchair accessible views as well.

Take one final look before heading back to the car; this is our last stop on the North Rim. But before we get to the South Rim, let’s take a little geology break (and maybe a rest break, too).

CANYON VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER

Before heading to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, take a quick detour to check out the Canyon Visitor Center. Our kids groaned when we told them we were headed to yet another visitor center, but within minutes of arriving they were fully engrossed in the displays. The Canyon Visitor Center focuses on Yellowstone’s geothermal activity and earthquakes, and the exhibits do a great job of bringing these fascinating features to life. Infographics comparing the magnitude of earthquakes in Yellowstone with others around the world is eye-opening.

The Canyon Visitor Center is located in Canyon Village, which is also home to a general store, gas station, restaurant, and lodge. Canyon Campground lies just across the main road. The campground is typically open from late May through mid-September, and other services open in mid-May and close for the season sometime in October. We visited on one of the last days the store was open, and staff were busy serving the last of the Big Dipper ice cream.

Even on a quick trip, I recommend stopping. You’ll leave with a better understanding of what makes Yellowstone such a unique volcanic environment, one with many secrets still to discover.

BRINK OF THE UPPER FALLS

Our first stop on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the Brink of the Upper Falls. There are three viewpoints at the Brink of the Upper Falls, and the upper and middle overlooks are wheelchair accessible. It’s only 0.3 miles out and back to the lower overlook, making this a less strenuous option than the Brink of the Lower Falls, but there are still plenty of stairs. During our visit, it was also considerably more crowded than the Brink of the Lower Falls, either because it was later in the day or because the trail is easier. It was probably a little of both.

The Brink of the Upper Falls is a fairly quick stop, and the accessible viewpoints are great for visitors of all abilities. But I have to admit that after standing on the Brink of the Lower Falls, Upper Falls felt a little… anticlimactic? Perhaps that’s an unfair assessment, because both viewpoints are unique, but Upper Falls doesn’t have the sheer power and dizzying height of Lower Falls.

If you have time for only one and can handle the longer hike, I’d choose Lower Falls. If you can do both, go for it! The view of the Yellowstone River from the Brink of the Upper Falls is gorgeous, and marks the starting point of the canyon. It’s all downriver from here!

UPPER FALLS VIEWPOINTS

The next stop on our route is the Upper Falls Viewpoints. A paved trail connects a series of overlooks featuring (what else?) Upper Falls. At this point, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is only just getting started, and Upper Falls and the forested cliffs surrounding it are not as impressive as the views further downriver. Regardless, when you take in the view on its own merits, it’s quite spectacular.

The Upper Falls Viewpoints also make a great restroom or picnic stop. The parking lot is large and there are two restrooms, as well as a covered shelter. This is also a good starting point for the South Rim Trail. For those with the time and energy, hiking from Upper Falls to Artist Point is a fun option.

For us, this was a quick stop before continuing on to Artist Point. With limited time, I recommend prioritizing Artist Point. But even with just 10 or 15 minutes to spare, the Upper Falls Viewpoints are worth a look.

ARTIST POINT

Artist Point: the grand finale on our tour of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This is commonly thought to have been the point from which artist Thomas Moran, famed for his paintings documenting the beauty of Yellowstone, captured the majesty of Lower Falls and the canyon. In actuality, Moran painted the falls as seen from the North Rim. Regardless, the view here is nothing short of spectacular. I’m not alone in this assessment; Artist Point is also one of the most popular stops along the rim.

The 0.3-mile out-and-back paved path is easy and accessible. Go early to avoid crowds. If you prefer a more solitary experience, consider hiking to Point Sublime, roughly 1.5 miles from Artist Point. The trail begins near the viewpoint. You can also follow the longer trail to Ribbon Lake.

For us, a longer hike was not in the cards. By the time we reached Artist Point, I was ready to take a few quick photos and move on. Next up: Mud Volcano! This bubbling, sulphuric hot spot is only a 15-minute drive from Artist Point, and a logical way to continue your trip.

I hope you enjoyed our tour of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and are inspired to check out the views for yourself on your next visit!