Canyon Rim South Trail to Artist Point

The Canyon Rim South Trail to Artist Point is one of the most rewarding hikes in Yellowstone National Park — a 2.7-mile out-and-back along the southern edge of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone that leads to Artist Point, arguably the single most famous viewpoint in the entire park. From the observation platform, the 308-foot Lower Yellowstone Falls thunders down at the head of the canyon, framed by golden-orange rhyolite walls that give the canyon its name.

If you only do one hike in Yellowstone's canyon area, this is the one.

The Trail

• Distance: 2.7 miles out-and-back
• Elevation gain: ~341 ft
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate — mostly flat with a few gentle climbs
• Route type: Out-and-back
• Surface: Paved and packed dirt with railings at overlooks
• Time: 1.5-2.5 hours with time at overlooks

The trail begins near the Uncle Tom's Trail parking area on the south rim of the canyon and follows the canyon edge east, connecting a series of stunning overlooks before ending at Artist Point. Along the way you'll pass multiple named viewpoints, each offering a slightly different perspective on the canyon and its two waterfalls.

The route is well-maintained, mostly flat, and generally accessible for most fitness levels. The elevation gain is spread across the entire route in small increments.

The Views

Artist Point — the crown jewel and the trail's endpoint. The overlook offers what might be the most photographed view in the American West: Lower Yellowstone Falls thundering down at the head of the canyon, framed by the sulfur-yellow, rust-orange, and pink walls of the canyon. On sunny days the light and colors are extraordinary. The overlook itself is ADA-accessible from the Artist Point parking area if you're not up for the full trail.

Uncle Tom's Overlook — near the trailhead, provides a dramatic angle on Lower Falls from a higher perspective. The famous Uncle Tom's Trail — a metal staircase descending 500 feet into the canyon toward the base of the falls — has been closed for years due to structural issues, but the overlook itself is still worth a stop.

Multiple unnamed overlooks — several pull-offs along the trail offer different angles on the canyon walls and the Yellowstone River far below. Bring a camera.

About the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the park's geological signatures:

• ~24 miles long, up to 1,200 feet deep and 4,000 feet wide at its widest
• Cut by the Yellowstone River through hardened rhyolite lava flows
• The famous yellow, orange, and pink colors come from hydrothermal alteration — hot water and steam from the underlying volcanic system have "cooked" the rock, oxidizing iron and other minerals over hundreds of thousands of years
• Lower Yellowstone Falls (308 ft) is nearly twice as tall as Niagara Falls
• Upper Yellowstone Falls (109 ft) sits just upstream, visible from other overlooks

Wildlife to Watch For

• Ospreys nest in the canyon walls between April and September — look for their large stick nests on the cliff ledges
• Bison and elk frequent the meadows near the canyon rim
• Grizzly bears and black bears are present in the area — carry bear spray and make noise
• Ravens and marmots are common near the overlooks

Hours & Season

• Trail hours: No official hours; open sunrise to sunset practically speaking
• Season: Typically accessible late May through early October. The Canyon Village area is generally closed to vehicles November through late April due to snow, though winter access is possible via snowshoe or snowcoach.
• Best time of day: Morning light on Artist Point is legendary — the sun rises directly behind the falls and lights up the entire canyon in warm colors. Arrive by 7-8 AM in summer to beat the crowds and catch the best light.

Park Entry Fees

• 7-day vehicle pass: $35
• 7-day motorcycle pass: $30
• 7-day individual (foot/bike): $20
• Yellowstone Annual Pass: $70
• America the Beautiful Annual Pass: $80 (covers all national parks + federal lands)
• Senior Lifetime Pass: $80 (age 62+)

Fees are paid at park entrance stations.

Trailhead & Parking

• Trailhead: South Rim Drive, Canyon Village area (near Uncle Tom's Trail parking)
• Coordinates: 44.71523, -110.49623
• Parking: Multiple lots along South Rim Drive — including at the trailhead and at Artist Point itself. All fill by mid-morning in summer.
• Restrooms: Vault toilets at trailhead and at Artist Point parking
• Alternative: Park at Artist Point and walk the trail in reverse (east to west) to end at the trailhead — either way works

Rules & Regulations

• No dogs on trails in Yellowstone (they're only allowed within 100 feet of roads, parking areas, and campgrounds)
• Stay on the trail — the canyon edges are steep and unstable; falls have been fatal
• No drones anywhere in the park
• Bear-safe food storage required
• No picking wildflowers or removing anything from the park
• Maintain 100 yards from bears and wolves; 25 yards from all other wildlife including bison and elk

What to Bring

• Water — at least 1 liter per person; no water on the trail
• Sun protection — hat, sunscreen, sunglasses (much of the trail is exposed)
• Layers — canyon rim temperatures can vary widely by time of day
• Bear spray — recommended anywhere in Yellowstone backcountry
• Camera with a zoom lens if you have one — the Lower Falls looks incredible with 100-200mm framing
• Sturdy shoes — the trail is well-maintained but rocky in spots
• Snacks or lunch — no food available on the trail; Canyon Village has options a few miles away

Best Time to Visit

• Late May–June: Snow melts, wildflowers begin, moderate crowds, longer daylight
• July–August: Peak season — best weather, biggest crowds. Arrive early or visit late in the day.
• September: Best month for most visitors — fewer crowds, cooler weather, still open, elk bugling in the meadows
• October: Increasingly quiet but weather can turn quickly
• Winter: Trail is snow-covered and typically inaccessible; canyon views are dramatic but require snowshoes and skill

Combine It With

The canyon area is Yellowstone's most concentrated set of iconic views. Pair with:

• North Rim Drive — Grand View, Lookout Point, and Red Rock Point offer stunning views of Lower Falls from the opposite side
• Brink of the Lower Falls — a steep 0.7-mile trail to the top of the 308-ft waterfall (part of North Rim)
• Brink of the Upper Falls — very short walk to the top of Upper Falls
• Point Sublime — extend the Canyon Rim South Trail an additional ~2 miles east for a quieter, less crowded viewpoint (see separate write-up)
• Canyon Village — restaurants, general store, gas, visitor center
• Mud Volcano area — bizarre thermal features a short drive south
• Hayden Valley — one of the best wildlife-viewing areas in the park (bison, wolves, grizzlies), just south of the canyon area

Why It's Worth the Hike

Many visitors just drive to the Artist Point parking lot, take one photo, and leave — but they miss the layered experience of walking the entire south rim, watching the light and views change with each overlook. The 2.7-mile round-trip is short enough to be manageable for most visitors but long enough to make the payoff feel earned. And you'll almost certainly see fewer people than the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at the Artist Point parking overlook itself.

Do this hike early in the morning, watch the sun light up the canyon, and it will likely be the most memorable stop of your Yellowstone trip.