Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch

4.8 (416 reviews) 6 hours Free cancellation

out of 5

416 reviews

4.8

Hiking the Grand Canyon Rim at the Yellowstone River. — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

The Grand Canyon Rim Hike is one of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park. This hiking tour is a loop. Your tour guide will watch for bears and answer your questions along the way.

Not only do we hike along the Rim of the Canyon, but also through the forest to lakes, mud pots, and meadows.

Your guide knows the trail and trail junctions, where many hikers get confused. Your guide also knows the good spots to stop for photos, resting, and lunch with a view.

Day Trips Hiking Tours Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Likely to Sell Out Small Group Excellent Quality Adventure Tours

At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 14 people
People per booking: 1–14
Guide: English
Operated by: Yellowstone Hiking Guides

Ages: Adults (8–80 years)

What is included

Included

Included: A light breakfast snack
Included: Bear Spray, Binoculars, Trekking Pole, Backpack (if necessary)
Included: Professional guide
Included: Tea and coffee: Hot coffee/tea/cocoa before the trip departs
Included: Lunch: Sandwich, apple, nuts, snacks (Turkey/Veggie/Vegan/Gluten Free Options) *Please notify YHG with any food allergies or dietary restrictions*

Not included

Not included: Entrance Fee to Yellowstone National Park, $35 per vehicle, good for one week
Not included: Bottled water: Please bring 2 liters of water per person
Not included: Rain jacket and fleece layer
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

3 hours Admission not included

Your expert guide will meet you at the Pavilion next to the Upper Falls Parking Area at 8AM. The hike is a 4 to 6-mile loop. The hike is along the Canyon Rim, then through the endless pine forest out to Ribbon Lake. After that, we pass a thermal basin, Clear Lake, and the Hayden Valley. If you hike one trail in Yellowstone this should be it!
Upper Falls

5 min

We begin our hike seeing the Yellowstone's Upper Falls. This is the beginning of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Artist Point

15 min

We will stop by Artist Point for views of the Lower Falls along the Yellowstone River. This is a must see when in Yellowstone. The 308 foot falls is surrounded by the colorful canyon. The area can be a little crowded, but it's worth it! After viewing the falls, we leave the crowds behind and hit the dirt trail.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

one hour

After leaving Artist Point, we hit the dirt trails. We hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for more colorful views. We turn off in to the forest for a walk through endless pines before hiking past mud pots and steaming vents.
Stop 5

30 min

We take a break at Clear Lake to soak in the serenity. We often see wildlife and wildflowers.
Hayden Valley

15 min

We see the Hayden Valley from the trail with wide open views of mountains touching the sky. This is a wonderful spot to see bison, as well as the occasional bear or wolf, at a distance.
Yellowstone River

45 min

We end our hike along the Yellowstone River taking in views of calm waters becoming rapids before descending over the Upper Falls.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Meet near the pavilion at the Upper Falls View Parking Area off of the South Rim Drive. Turn left off the Grand Loop Road on the South Rim Drive, 2 miles south of Canyon Village, toward Artist Point. After crossing over the Yellowstone River on a bridge, turn left at the 'Canyon Views' sign.

End point

Meet near the pavilion at the Upper Falls View Parking Area off of the South Rim Drive. Turn left off the Grand Loop Road on the South Rim Drive, 2 miles south of Canyon Village, toward Artist Point. After crossing over the Yellowstone River on a bridge, turn left at the 'Canyon Views' sign.

Using your ticket

Meet at 8AM at the Upper Falls View Parking Area. There are two latrines in the parking area, and a pavilion near the Upper Falls. (Also sign for Canyon Views.)

●From Canyon Village: The trailhead is 3.4 miles from Canyon Village (8 minutes). From the four-way stop in Canyon Village, go south on Grand Loop Road toward Yellowstone Lake.

You will encounter the North Rim Drive and the Brink of the Upper Falls roads first. STAY STRIAGHT.

Turn left on SOUTH RIM DRIVE (your next left turn). This is the road toward Artist Point. You will know this is the correct road because there is a massive bridge over the Yellowstone River. You will cross over the Yellowstone River on this bridge and proceed 0.7 miles. Turn left into the Upper Falls View Parking Area (also signs for Canyon Views). This is a large parking lot with latrines and a pavilion.

●From West Thumb Junction: The trailhead is 34 miles (1 hour and five minutes) from West Thumb Junction if you are coming from the south. Follow the Grand Loop Road (Highway 20) north along the lake and through the Hayden Valley. The turn for the South Rim Drive will be a right hand turn shortly after leaving the valley. If you hit Canyon Village you have gone too far.