Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch
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.
Options
Grand Canyon Rim Hike
What's included in Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
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
We begin our hike seeing the Yellowstone's Upper Falls. This is the beginning of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Artist Point
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.
Inclusions
- A light breakfast snack
- Bear Spray, Binoculars, Trekking Pole, Backpack (if necessary)
- Professional guide
- Sandwich, apple, nuts, snacks (Turkey/Veggie/Vegan/Gluten Free Options) Please notify YHG with any food allergies or dietary restrictions
- Hot coffee/tea/cocoa before the trip departs
- Entrance Fee to Yellowstone National Park, $35 per vehicle, good for one week
- Please bring 2 liters of water per person
- Rain jacket and fleece layer
- Gratuities
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- 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.
Redeem
Ticket Redemption
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. • Comfortable walking shoes required • Rain jacket and fleece layer required • Bottled water required • Don't forget your cameras, smiles, and sense of adventure!
