What is the best viewpoint in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone?

Artist Point on the South Rim is the most iconic — it frames the Lower Falls with the canyon's famous yellow-and-pink walls. Lookout Point and Red Rock Point on the North Rim also rank among the best.

How tall are the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone?

The Lower Falls drop 308 feet — nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls. The Upper Falls drop 109 feet, and Crystal Falls drops 129 feet on a side tributary.

When is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone open?

South Rim Drive and Artist Point are usually open from late April through early November. North Rim Drive opens slightly later. In winter the area is accessible by snowcoach or skis only.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Falls, Viewpoints & Trails

Q: Where is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone?

It is located in central Yellowstone National Park, between Canyon Village and Fishing Bridge. The canyon stretches roughly 24 miles long and is up to 1,200 feet deep, carved by the Yellowstone River.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Old Faithful gets the headlines, but the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the park's most jaw-dropping single landscape. The Yellowstone River has carved a 20-mile gorge up to 1,200 feet deep, framed by walls in shades of yellow, pink, gold, and cream — the result of hot water altering the rhyolite over millennia. Two enormous waterfalls anchor the upper end, and overlooks on both rims give you a different angle every few hundred yards.

This guide walks every major viewpoint on the South and North Rims, the trails worth the climb, seasonal logistics, and a half-day plan you can run from Lodgepole Pines Retreat in Island Park.

📍 Quick orientation

The canyon sits between Canyon Village (north) and Fishing Bridge (south). Two one-way scenic drives — South Rim Drive and North Rim Drive — link the major overlooks. Plan 3–5 hours minimum to do both rims justice.

Wide-angle overview of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone showing both Upper and Lower Falls — Overview of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with both falls visible.

Upper, Lower & Crystal Falls

Lower Falls (308 ft)

The headline act. The Lower Falls drop 308 feet — nearly twice the height of Niagara — into the heart of the canyon. From Artist Point you get the postcard angle; from Lookout Point and Red Rock Point you get the head-on view; and from the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail you can stand directly over the lip.

Rainbow forming in the mist at the brink of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone — Morning rainbow at the brink of the Lower Falls — a near-daily summer occurrence.

Upper Falls (109 ft)

Smaller but more compact and powerful-looking. Best viewed from the Brink of the Upper Falls overlook (a short paved walk) and from Uncle Tom's Point. The roar at the brink is unforgettable.

The 109-foot Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River seen from the brink overlook — Brink of the Upper Falls — a short walk reaches a railing right above the drop.

Crystal Falls (129 ft)

Tucked between the Upper and Lower Falls on Cascade Creek, Crystal Falls is the canyon's overlooked third act. The best view is from a small overlook on the South Rim Trail just east of Uncle Tom's parking.

Crystal Falls cascading 129 feet into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — Crystal Falls — a quieter side waterfall worth the short detour.

South Rim Viewpoints

The South Rim Drive ends at Artist Point, the most photographed viewpoint in the park.

Artist Point

End of South Rim Drive

Best light: Sunrise & late afternoon

The classic Lower Falls postcard. Two railings — the upper one is the iconic frame.

Uncle Tom's Point

Mid South Rim Drive

Best light: Mid-morning

A short walk leads to a head-on Lower Falls view and the historic Uncle Tom's Trail.

Brink of the Upper Falls

South Rim entrance

Best light: Anytime

A 100-yard paved walk drops you to a railing directly over the lip of the Upper Falls.

South Rim Trail

2.4 miles one-way

Best light: Morning

Connects Chittenden Bridge to Artist Point — multiple unmarked overlooks beat the parking-lot views.

Iconic Artist Point view of the Lower Falls and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — Artist Point — the canyon's most photographed view.

View down the canyon from Artist Point showing the colorful walls — Looking downcanyon from Artist Point — the yellow and pink walls that gave Yellowstone its name.

Hiker on the South Rim Trail of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — The South Rim Trail strings together the major overlooks — and the empty space between them.

North Rim Viewpoints

The North Rim Drive is a one-way loop with five overlooks. The South Rim is iconic; the North Rim is where you escape the Artist Point crowds.

Lookout Point

North Rim Drive

Best light: Morning rainbow over Lower Falls

Head-on view of the Lower Falls. Rainbow forms in the spray almost daily 9–11 a.m. in summer.

Red Rock Point

Short trail off Lookout Point

Best light: Mid-morning

A 0.4-mile descent gets you closer to the Lower Falls. Steep return.

Grand View

North Rim Drive

Best light: Late afternoon

The longest views down the canyon — afternoon light hits the colored walls best from here.

Inspiration Point

End of North Rim Drive

Best light: Afternoon

Deepest viewpoint into the canyon. Glacial Boulder is just down the access road.

Brink of the Lower Falls

Steep 0.7-mile trail

Best light: Anytime

Switchbacks down 600 feet to a railing on the very lip of the Lower Falls. Tough climb back up.

North Rim Trail

2.5 miles one-way

Best light: Morning

Strings together every North Rim overlook with quieter unofficial viewpoints between them.

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone seen from Lookout Point on the North Rim — Lookout Point — the head-on view of the Lower Falls with the morning rainbow.

Closer view of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone from Red Rock Point — Red Rock Point — closer to the falls after a steep 0.4-mile descent.

Wide canyon panorama from Grand View overlook on the North Rim — Grand View — the longest sightlines down the canyon.

Inspiration Point overlooking the deep central section of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — Inspiration Point — the deepest views into the canyon.

The Glacial Boulder near Inspiration Point — a 500-ton erratic dropped by Pleistocene glaciers — The Glacial Boulder — a Pleistocene-era erratic that hitched a ride on a glacier.

Trails & Hikes

Brink of the Lower Falls Trail

Steep, paved switchbacks drop 600 feet in 0.7 miles to a railing directly above the lip of the Lower Falls. The view straight down the 308-foot drop is one of Yellowstone's most visceral experiences.

South Rim Trail (2.4 mi one-way)

From Chittenden Bridge to Artist Point. You'll pass Crystal Falls, Uncle Tom's Point, and a dozen unmarked viewpoints with zero crowds.

North Rim Trail (2.5 mi one-way)

Strings together Inspiration Point, Grand View, Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, and the Brink of the Lower Falls. Plan a car shuttle or backtrack.

North Rim Trail of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with canyon views — The North Rim Trail — the best way to escape parking-lot crowds.

Yellowstone River views

Below the Lower Falls, the river runs at the bottom of the canyon for 20 miles. The Lower Falls River viewpoint on South Rim Drive reveals the river snaking between the colored walls.

The Yellowstone River winding through the bottom of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — The Yellowstone River downstream of the Lower Falls.

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone with the river continuing through the canyon below — Lower Falls plunging into the river canyon below.

Seasonal Conditions

Season	Access	What to Expect
Late Apr – May	South Rim opens late April; North Rim varies	Peak waterfall flow from snowmelt. Some trails closed for snow until late May.
June – August	All overlooks open	Peak crowds at Artist Point — arrive before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
September – October	All overlooks open	Best season — fewer crowds, golden light, lower river flow shows more rock color.
November – April	Roads closed to cars	Access by snowcoach tour or ski-in only. Frozen Lower Falls is a stunning winter sight.

Winter view of the partially frozen Lower Falls of the Yellowstone — Lower Falls in winter — accessible only by snowcoach or ski.

Disclaimer: Road and trail openings vary year-to-year. Always confirm current status on nps.gov/yell before driving.

Photography Tips

Artist Point: shoot at sunrise (canyon glows pink-gold) or late afternoon (Lower Falls fully lit). Avoid mid-day flat light.
Lookout Point: between 9 and 11 a.m. in summer, a rainbow forms in the falls' spray almost daily.
Use a polarizer to cut glare off the falls' mist and saturate the canyon walls.
Bring a 24–70mm for the iconic frames and a 70–200mm for tight Lower Falls shots from the rims.
For the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, a wide 16–35mm captures the vertigo-inducing perspective.
Tripod is allowed at all overlooks but most shots are handheld at standard apertures.

Side view of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone showing the full 308-foot drop — Side view of the Lower Falls — best from Lookout Point and Grand View.

Aerial view of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River — Upper Falls from above — context for how the river bends and accelerates.

Classic Upper Falls viewpoint showing the 109-foot drop — Upper Falls viewpoint — short walk, big payoff.

Half-Day Plan from Island Park

The canyon is about 2 hours from Island Park via the West Entrance, Madison, and Norris.

5:30 AM — Leave Island Park, enter West Entrance at 6:00 AM
6:00–7:30 AM — Drive Madison → Norris → Canyon Village (watch for bison along the Madison and Gibbon Rivers)
7:30–9:00 AM — South Rim Drive: Brink of Upper Falls → Uncle Tom's Point → Artist Point (best in early light)
9:00–10:30 AM — North Rim Drive: Brink of the Lower Falls Trail (steep but unmissable)
10:30–11:30 AM — Lookout Point and Grand View while the morning rainbow is still in the falls
11:30 AM — Lunch at Canyon Village
12:30 PM — Return via Norris and Madison; back at the cabin by 3 p.m.

🏠 Island Park is the best basecamp for the canyon

The West Entrance route to Canyon Village is roughly 2 hours each way — short enough that the canyon works as a day trip, far enough to escape the in-park lodging crowds. Check availability →

Trail leading from Canyon Village toward the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone overlooks — Trail from Canyon Village — the staging area for both rims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone?

Central Yellowstone, between Canyon Village and Fishing Bridge. Roughly 24 miles long and up to 1,200 feet deep.

What is the best viewpoint?

Artist Point on the South Rim is the most iconic. Lookout Point and Red Rock Point on the North Rim are close seconds.

How tall are the Lower Falls?

308 feet — nearly twice the height of Niagara. Upper Falls are 109 feet; Crystal Falls is 129 feet.

Can you hike to the bottom of the canyon?

Not all the way. The Brink of the Lower Falls Trail and the historic Uncle Tom's Trail descend partway, but no maintained route reaches the canyon floor.

When is the canyon area open?

South Rim Drive typically opens in late April; the area is open through early November. In winter, access is by snowcoach or skis only.