Lower Falls of the Yellowstone - Hike near Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA,Canyon Village,Wyoming
44.71947808005877, -110.4974091053009
Address: Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
GPS: 44°43'10.1"N 110°29'50.7"W
Maps | Directions
State: Wyoming

Rivers Waterfalls Streams Trails Rocks National Park

Hike

Lower Yellowstone Falls is one of the most popular places to visit in Yellowstone, coming in just behind the geyser, Old Faithful. The tallest waterfall in the park, Lower Yellowstone Falls is about 308 ft. Upper Yellowstone Falls feeds this waterfall and can be accessed through a trail before reaching Lower Yellowstone Falls. Because of a turn in the river, both waterfalls are not visible at one time, instead visitors can see just one waterfall at a time. 

Both falls are located in a 20 mile long canyon nicknamed the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. The Yellowstone River feeds the falls and it is the longest undamed river in the continental United States. The canyon was created through water eroding the volcanic rock. Lower Yellowstone Falls is particulary beautiful because the large waterfall contrasts with the yellow "rusting" rocks that make up the canyon walls. The iconic "yellow" color in Yellowstone is from the many rocks that oxidize because of the rust and iron found in the rock. 

The 308 foot waterfall is taller than Niagra Falls and has many lookout points, offering a variety of views from up close to miles away. There are several trails that can be taken to experience all the views, each with a parking lot before the trailhead. The trails are still open in the winter, however please be aware that they may be icy, as well there are steep drops and switchbacks. In the winter, the trails can only be accessed by snowmobile or snow coaches.

Following the Grand Loop Road, visitors will be able to see the waterfall and access the various trailheads.  The summer time will be the busiest time as toursits from all over are enjoying the park. Spring and Fall are especially beautiful, however the road to access the falls opens in mid-April and closes in late October. Turning onto North Rim Drive, visitors will have access to all the view points on that side of the waterfall. The first viewpoint is the Brink of the Lower Falls. Visitors are able to get quite close to the falls, putting them right next to the mouth of the falls as the water goes cascading down below them. The trail is a steep hike down, but a must see. While right at the mouth of the waterfall, visitors can turn and look out at the canyon and see it continue on its 20 mile journey.  

Next is the Lookout Point. This offers a panoramic view of the surrounding canyons and waterfall. Though it is several miles away from the actual waterfall, visitors can still hear the booming of water flowing over the falls. The Lookout Point is also the trailhead for Red Rock Point, which gives the closest full view of the waterfall for visitors. It is a steep trail as well, with a sign warning "A steep descent to Red Rock will take you to the North Rim’s closest full view of Lower Falls. Please be prepared for steep grades, steps, and a rough surface. The trail descends rapidly—about 500 feet (150 m) in 3/8 mile (0.6 km). Wear sturdy walking shoes with good tread, and be prepared for a steep uphill return". 

Grandview is another lookout point along the North Rim Drive. It provides another panoramic view of Lower Falls, though not as close as the one found at lookout point. 

Inspiration Point is the last viewpoint along North Rim Drive. Not much of the Lower Falls are visible from here, but a panoramic view of the canyon reminds visitors just how small they really are when compared to the towering canyon walls. 

On the opposite side of the Lower Falls are two additional trails, Uncle Tom's Trail and Artist Point. Taking South Rim Road, visitors will first see the trailhead for Uncle Tom's Trail. This trail consists of 328 steel steps that take visitors about 3/4 of the way down the Canyon. Like the view from the Brink of Lower Falls, visitors will be very close to the falls as the water goes tumbling down below them. 

Artist Point is one of the most photographed views in Yellowstone. It is a very easy hike with little elevation gain. Visitors will be awed when looking at the canyon from Artist Point, for it shows just how wide and deep the canyon has become from thousands of years of erosion. 

 

2.7K Written by cteicheira

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

  1. Head northeast (0.1 mi)
  2. Turn left at the 2nd cross street at N Rim Dr (0.2 mi)
  3. Turn left onto Grand Loop Rd
    Toll road
    May be closed at certain times or days
    (1.2 mi)
  4. Turn left onto N Rim Dr (0.1 mi)
or

From Grand Loop Road, taking North Rim Drive will allow visitors access to: Brink of Lower Yellowstone Falls, Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Grandview, and Inspiration Point. 

South Rim Drive allows access to: Uncle Tom's Trail and Artist Point

There is a lodge and gas station further up on the North Rim Drive. 

to add photos & videos and suggest edits

Guest Review/Comments

/5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Edit Review Delete Review
Reply Cancel
Yellowstone Lower Falls added by cteicheira Yellowstone Lower Falls  added by cteicheira
Yellowstone Grand Canyon added by cteicheira Yellowstone Grand Canyon added by cteicheira View from Lower Lookout Point Trail added by cteicheira View from Lower Lookout Point Trail added by cteicheira Lower Falls Winter added by cteicheira Lower Falls Winter added by cteicheira View from Uncle Tom's Trail added by cteicheira View from Uncle Tom's Trail added by cteicheira View from Artist Point added by cteicheira View from Artist Point added by cteicheira Lower Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, U by El Jay
2.7K

Added by cteicheira

Other Hiking Trails Nearby

Add Location 1.4-2.5 mi

Ribbon Lake Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

0.8 miles S

Ribbon Lake Trail is a 6-mile trail that leads hikers through beautiful meadows, past colorful lakes and beside Yellowstone River. This trail gives hikers a beautiful view of the Grand Canyon of...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

18.2 mi

Howard Eaton Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

1.1 miles N

The Howard Eaton Trail is a hike with a variety of destinations along a 10 mile trail. The trail can be entered and exited at several points but is most commonly started near Canyon Village. The...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

9.0 mi

Seven Mile Hole Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

1.4 miles NE

Seven Mile Hole is a challenging out and back trail that winds along and into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This 10-mile hike begins and ends at Canyon Village where parking is available. From...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

2.4 mi

Cascade Lake Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

2.3 miles N

Cascade Lake Trail is an easy, short hike through picturesque meadows to the beautiful cascade lake. The trailhead is located North of Canyon Village on Grand Loop Road. There is a pullout here where...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

7.6 mi

Observation Peak Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

2.3 miles N

Observation Peak Trail is one of the most famous hikes in Yellowstone National Park. The hike is an almost 10 miles there and back hike that starts and ends at the same trailhead. Observation...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

2.9 mi

Grebe Lake Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

2.6 miles W

Grebe Lake Trail is an alternative route to Howard Eaton Trail for visiting Grebe Lake. This trail is a converted old fire road that forms a more direct route to the lake. The hike on Grebe Lake...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

3.4 mi

Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

5.0 miles NE

Hikers looking for a scenic hike to the peak Mount Washburn will be pleased hiking the Mount Washburn Trail via Dunraven Pass. This trail winds through quiet forests to the peak. The trailhead for...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

16.3 mi

Mount Washburn Spur Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

6.2 miles NE

Washburn Spur Trail is an exciting 8-mile trail connecting the peak of Mount Washburn to Seven Mile Hole Trail near Canyon Village. Hikers typically hike the trail starting at Mount Washburn and...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

4.4 mi

Chittenden Road - Mount Washburn Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

6.3 miles NE

Hiking Mount Washburn via Chittenden Road is the shortest and easiest route to the top. The trail was once a service road and is now a clear well packed trail with a steady, gradual incline. The...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

1.5-3.8 mi

Little Gibbon Falls

Norris, Yellowstone National Park

6.4 miles W

Ice Lake and Little Gibbon Falls Loop is a 4.5 mile loop trail located near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking, but there are...

Camp, Canoe, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

Ice Lake Trail

Norris, Yellowstone National Park

6.7 miles W

This is a short trail leading to a pretty, tree-lined lake, across ground covered by a lattice of fallen pine trunks from the 1988 fires. The entire trail went through areas burned by the fires of...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Mud Volcano

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

7.3 miles SE

In 1870 Mud Volcano had a cone-shaped mud deposit that covered the feature. By 1872 a thermal explosion had blown that mud away to reveal what we see today.

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

2.8 mi

Elephant Back Mountain Trail

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

12.2 miles SE

Elephant Back Mountain Trail is a 3 mile loop trail. The trailhead can be found 1 mile south of Fishing Bridge Junction near Lake Village. This trail climbs 800 feet and gives hikers a stunning view...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Beryl Spring / Emerald Spring

Norris, Yellowstone National Park

12.6 miles W

This spring is located right off the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park. The spring is a very quick walk, with a parking lot located right off the road.The trail seems to be a boardwalk,...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

0.6 mi

Pelican Creek Nature Trail

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

12.8 miles SE

Pelican Creek Nature Trail is a beautiful easy walk that gives visitors views of Yellowstone Lake and Pelican Creek. This family friendly trail can be completed in under an hour. Despite the...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Tower Falls

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

13.1 miles NE

Tower Fall is a waterfall on Tower Creek in the northeastern region of Yellowstone National Park, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Approximately 1,000 yards (910 m) upstream from the creek's...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

2.3 mi

Natural Bridge Trail

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

13.4 miles S

Natural Bridge Trail is an exciting and easy 2 mile trail to the beautiful rock formation that is Natural Bridge Yellowstone. This Natural Bridge was formed by Bridge Creek as it wore a hole in...

Hike, Mountain Bike

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

hike Hiking Trail

7.4 mi

Pelican Valley Trail

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

13.9 miles SE

Pelican Valley Trail is a beautiful 6.2 mile hike that allows hikers to see Yellowstone Lake, Pelican Springs and the Pelican Valley water features. Despite its length this is an easy, level...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

2.1 mi

Storm Point Trail

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

13.9 miles SE

Storm Point Trail is a beautiful 2.3 mile hike that can be completed in under 2 hours. This is an easy hike with very little elevation change that is perfect for families with children. Hikers on...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

2.4 mi

Lost Lake Trail

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

13.9 miles N

Lost Lake Trail is a 2.8 mile hike that can be completed in less than two hours. This is an easy hike with very little elevation change. Hikers can enjoy forests, meadows and a view of Lost Lake...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

More Similar Arenas Near Lower Falls of the Yellowstone :

Hiking Trails Things to Do

Nearby Campsites

Add Location

Canyon Campground

Canyon Junction, Yellowstone National Park

1.2 miles N

Canyon Campground is a popular choice for visitors to Yellowstone National Park, and it's easy to see why. Located in the heart of the park, the campground offers easy access to some of the...

Camp

camp Campsite

1.5-3.8 mi

Little Gibbon Falls

Norris, Yellowstone National Park

6.4 miles W

Ice Lake and Little Gibbon Falls Loop is a 4.5 mile loop trail located near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking, but there are...

Camp, Canoe, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

Norris Campground

Norris, Yellowstone National Park

9.8 miles W

Norris campground is centrally located in Yellowstone National Park and offers a good spot for those planning to visit many of the most famous features in Yellowstone. Norris is a relatively short...

Camp

camp Campsite

Fishing Bridge RV Campground

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

12.5 miles SE

The Fishing Bridge Recreational Vehicle Park is located near the mouth of the Yellowstone River as it leaves Yellowstone Lake. The RV park is named after the Fishing Bridge, a wooden vehicle bridge...

Camp

camp Campsite

Tower Falls

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

13.1 miles NE

Tower Fall is a waterfall on Tower Creek in the northeastern region of Yellowstone National Park, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Approximately 1,000 yards (910 m) upstream from the creek's...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Bridge Bay

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

13.2 miles S

Bridge Bay Campground was named for its proximity to Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. The area is quite scenic, with wooded areas, open meadows and some limited views of the lake. Because of...

Camp

camp Campsite

Indian Creek Campground Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

16.1 miles NW

Indian Creek Campground is a quiet and secluded wooded campground within Yellowstone National Park, ideal for tent campers. It’s close to lots of hiking and fishing, and only a few miles to...

Camp

camp Campsite

Hellroaring Creek Trail

Yellowstone National Park

16.2 miles N

If the name didn't scare you enough, the Hellroaring creek trail begins with an arduous descent down to the the Yellowstone River Suspension Bridge.The suspension bridge is a beautiful...

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Slough Creek Campground

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

18.4 miles NE

Slough Creek campground is a small but very popular campground on the Northeast Entrance Road. Most of the campsites are situated right on the banks of Slough Creek where fishing is a favorite...

Camp

camp Campsite

Madison Campground

Madison, Yellowstone National Park

18.9 miles W

Madison Campground is named for its proximity to the Madison River, which runs through the area in a lush mountain setting rich in wildlife. Madison Campground is at an elevation of 6,800’ and...

Camp

camp Campsite

Mammoth Hot Springs Campground

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

20.2 miles NW

Mammoth Hot Springs Campground is the only campground in Yellowstone that is open to campers year-round. Campsites cannot be reserved and are available on a first come first served basis. It is...

Camp

camp Campsite

0.1-5.2 mi

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park

20.3 miles NW

Mammoth Hot Springs is a unique sight in Yellowstone National Park. The soft limestone in this area allowed the water to form colorful terraces. The extremely hot running water is clear and smooth,...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Grant Village

Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park

22.8 miles S

Grant Village was built in 1984 and named after Ulysses S. Grant, president when Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872. Located near the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake,...

Camp, Canoe, Kayak

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

kayak Kayaking Area

Pebble Creek Campground

Northeast Entrance, Yellowstone National Park

23.2 miles NE

Pebble Creek is a popular campground for fishermen and those seeking a more quiet and smaller campground in Yellowstone National Park. The campsites can fill very early, so get there before 11 AM...

Camp

camp Campsite

14.8 mi

Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

26.7 miles SW

Freight Road trail is a almost 15 mile hike that leaves from Biscuit Basin or Fountain Flats Drive. This hike is a beautiful remote hike that passes several unique landmarks, breaking up this hike...

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

6.9 mi

Heart Lake Trail

Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park

28.2 miles S

The trail is very clear and leads to a moderate eight mile hike to Heart Lake. This hike has many possibilities. Day hikers need to push their time to make sure they are on the trail early to allow...

Backpack, Camp, Hike, Hot Springs

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

hot springs Hot Spring

backpack Backpacking Trail

0.1 mi

Lewis Lake Campground

Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park

30.9 miles S

Lewis Lake is located in the southern part of Yellowstone National Park. It is 4 miles southeast of Shoshone Lake. Lewis Lake offers a plethora great water activities. This lake offers...

Camp, Canoe, Kayak

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

kayak Kayaking Area

Big Springs

Island Park, Idaho

40.4 miles W

There's also a great little walking trail along the river with placards that tell about the ecosystem and history of the area. There's about a 1/2 mile that's paved and then a 1/2 mile...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Upper Coffee Pot Campground

Island Park, Idaho

45.6 miles W

Upper Coffeepot Campground stretches along a floatable section of Henry's Fork of the Snake River. A mixed growth lodgepole pine forest provides partial shade and summer wildflowers are...

Camp, Canoe

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

17.5 mi

Tear Drop Lake

Ashton, Idaho

46.3 miles SW

Nestled in the Targhee National Forest just off of Ashton's Fish Creek Road, this tear drop shaped lake is a family adventure waiting to happen. The lake isn't very big but it is teeming with...

Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim

mountain bike Mountain Bike Trail

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

kayak Kayaking Area

More Campsites Near Lower Falls of the Yellowstone :

Campsites

Embed Arena

Where do you plan to embed this code?

<script src="https://www.freearenas.com/embed/af3d21224"></script>

Copy
×
loading...

Edit Your Experience

Log Your Visit to This Location

We've logged that you went. Is there anything else you want to add?

Thank you for your review/comment

We've recorded your comments. Is there anything else you want to add?

By recording your visit on FreeArenas.com, you'll have a collection of all the great places you've been and provide valuable information for yourself and others in the future.

Have you been to this location?

/5
Cancel

Donate to the Cause

Help us inspire and inform every person to enjoy life and the great outdoors in a responsible way. There's a lot of ways to do this. Here's a few ways we're working on our mission right now: Providing information, Building and maintaining local trails, Helping and teaching kids to fix their bikes, Cleaning up local parks to provide safe and clean places to enjoy nature. Learn More

Update Review

/5

New Collection

Add an Arena

Just some quick info about this location to get started...