Yellowstone - Yellowstone Canyon Falls South Rim Loop Hike

Introduction:

What? :

Hiking the South Rim Loop will take you to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with its powerful Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River and the colorful yellow canyon walls.

Coming to Artist Viewing Point is without a doubt, one of the most magnificent sights in Yellowstone National Park.

While you can drive and park right near the waterfalls overlooks, the real fun and full nature experience is by walking the South Rim Trail, following the south rim of the canyon.

You can combine this rim trail section with the backcountry paths of Clear Lake and Ribbon Lake.

This is an adventure that offers both the iconic views of the falls and canyon and a peaceful escape into the park's thermal wonders.

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Where? :

This hiking area is located near the Canyon Village section of Yellowstone National Park.

The South Rim Drive provides access to the trailheads and viewpoints, forking from the Grand Loop Road, 2.3 miles south of the Canyon Village Junction.

Turn into S. Rim Dr., cross the Yellowstone river over the bridge and right after turn right into the Wapiti Lake Trailhead and parking lot.

This is a loop trail so you can start this hike also from Upper Falls Viewpoints Parking Lot or from Artist Point parking at the end of the road.

I do recommend starting from Wapiti Lake Trailhead as its parking lot is relatively less crowded and has parking spots.

It is better to start your hike at the far side and reach the main attraction of the canyon and waterfalls in the second half of your hike.

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When? :

The park is open year round, but the journey to get here and the surrounding scenery change dramatically between summer and winter.

For most people, late May to September is the ideal time to visit here.

My personal recommendations are to visit Yellowstone National Park during the month of September.

The park is not as crowded as the peak tourist season of the summer months, the weather is ideal for hiking, it is not so hot or cold, all the roads are still open and the animals are in their active months.

Another option is during June when the snow is mainly cleared, all is green and the animals are getting out and active after the long winter.

Summer:

This is the peak Season (Mid-June to Mid-September)

All park roads are open to personal vehicles, making it easy to drive right to any destination within the park.

It is very crowded here during the summer months. Traffic jams, slow drive and challenges with finding parking spots.

Days are usually warm (70-80f), but nights can still be cool. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.

All hotels, lodges and campgrounds are open, high price and reservation need many months in advance.

Fall:

Fall season is short (Mid-September to end October) offering pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds than summer.

All roads are still open (most interior roads close to vehicles by early November), usually there is no heavy snow but you should expect a mix of sunny and rainy days and cold temperatures.

Daytime highs can range from the 40-70F, with nights dropping below freezing.

Winter:

Winter (Mid-December to Mid-March) transforms the park into a quiet, magical, snow-covered land.

The geyser's steam plumes are enormous.

Crowds are minimal.

Most interior park roads are closed to regular cars. You must travel into the park by a guided snowcoach or on a permitted snowmobile tour.

If you plan to visit Yellowstone in the winter, you will need to book a tour from one of the gateway towns like West Yellowstone or Mammoth Hot Springs (which is accessible by private vehicle year-round via the North Entrance).

The weather is cold with daytime temperatures between 0-20f.

You need proper, layered, waterproof and warm winter clothing is essential.

Only the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and its cabins are open for overnight stays.

Spring:

Spring is a very short season in Yellowstone, practically in May and early June.

Some roads start to get open during end of April

Crowds are minimal, especially in April and May, making for a quiet visit.

Weather is unpredictable, with the potential for warm, pleasant days mixed with snow, rain, and freezing temperatures.

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Tips and inputs:

Due note 1:

Carry at least 2-3 liters of water per person for a full-day hike. There is no reliable potable water on the trail.

Due note 2:

Bring with you water, snacks or light food.

Due note 3:

There are no tourist facilities here and along the hike. You can find all tourist facilities in the nearby Canyon Village.

This includes: gas station, large visitor center, general store, restaurants and gifts and accommodation (hotel and campground).

Due note 4:

Restrooms are located near the main parking areas. There are no facilities once you are out on the trails.

Due note 5:

Dress in Layers: Yellowstone's weather can change quickly even during the summer months. Be prepared for sun, rain, and cool temperatures. Some sections of the trail are exposed to the sun so bring a hat, use sunscreen and use sunglasses.

Due note 6:

Stay on Trail: This is especially critical in the thermal areas around Clear Lake, the ground around thermal activity is extremely fragile, often only a thin crust over boiling, acidic water. In the sections where the trail is passing along the canyon rim, do not walk to the cliff edge, the ground can be unstable, and the drops down can be fatal.

Due note 7:

Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and keep it accessible. Hike in groups and make noise, especially in the forested and backcountry sections of the loop.

Due note 8:

Wapiti Lake Trailhead and parking lot is relatively large and you can find a place to park.

The parking lots of Upper Falls View and Artist Point are extremely popular stops, expect a full and busy parking area.

Due note 9:

During my Sep. 2025 visit Uncle Tom's Trail was close to hiking.

Due note 10:

During the winter months the entire canyon village, including Canyon Lodge & Cabins and the General Store, is closed for the winter season. The only services that might be open are a service station and a warming hut.

My thoughts:

This was one of the most fun hikes I did in Yellowstone.

You are starting by passing through a small geothermal area, with lakes, continuing with a trail over the rim of the Yellowstone canyon and topping with the view of the amazing two mighty waterfalls.

A few hours of continuous fun.

Few tips and suggestions:

If you just want to see the waterfalls you can park at their parking lots and walk to the viewing platforms.
A much shorter hiking option is to park in Upper Falls Viewpoints Parking Lot and walk to Artist Point using South Rim Trail. You need to hike back using the same trail. This will be a 2.6 mile hike.
I started the hike at mid day after hiking in Hayden Valley but I recommend doing this hike in the morning.
I started my hike from Wapiti Lake Trailhead because it is the less crowded parking lot.
I did the hike counterclockwise because I wanted the waterfall section to be last on my hike.

The Hike:

I wanted to do a loop hike that combined some backcountry, the south rim and waterfall views.

I decided to do a 6.7 miles loop hike (1,200 ft of elevation gain) starting from Wapiti Lake Trailhead.

The trail starts by crossing the open grassland hills to the east.

Moving into the backcountry portion of the loop, you'll encounter Clear Lake after 1.2 miles.

The lake has turquoise-colored water and it is known for its sulfurous odor from nearby thermal activity.

You will pass the lake and from here the trail takes you past a small thermal area with mud pots and fumaroles just near the trail.

After passing the thermal area the trail enters the forest and passes a small pond on your left.

After hiking for 2.2 miles you will connect to the South Rim Trail.

Here you have 2 options: 1. Turn left and walk directly to Artist Point or 2. Turn right and hike above the rim to canyon viewing points.

I decided to turn right and explore this area.

The trail runs along the canyon rim for ever-changing views. The canyon walls are stunning, painted in reds, yellows, and white by the hydrothermally-altered rock.

I hiked, passing on my way a few cliff-hanging, amazing, canyon viewing points and reached Point Sublime at the end of the trail.

From the trail junction to the end of the trail it is 0.75 miles that you need to walk back.

Tip: it is not mandatory to hike all the way to Point Sublime at the end of the trail, the view into the canyon from there is not so impressive.

Back at the trail junction and hiking an additional 0.7 mile will bring you to Lower Falls & Artist Viewing Point.

Arriving at this point and seeing the Yellowstone lower waterfall for the first time is an unforgettable moment!

Artist Point provides the quintessential, breathtaking view looking upstream at the colorful canyon walls and the tall waterfall at the far end.

The 308-foot Lower Falls is Yellowstone's tallest waterfall in the park and no doubt the most impressive one.

The falls plunge over a cap of more resistant volcanic rock and the vibrant yellow, orange, and red colors of the canyon walls below are due to hydrothermal activity.

During snow melt peak season the river flow is 60,000 gallons per second.

You will enjoy this view any time of the day but the best time to visit here is during morning hours where the sunlight is falling on the waterfall.

At this point, near the large parking lot, there are many other visitors. In many hours it is overcrowded and you need to wait in line to take a picture.

When I hiked here it was already afternoon with harsh day-light, I came to visit here again after a few days to be here during early hours. There are also a lot less people here during the early morning.

After enjoying the waterfall view from Artist Point, walk to the parking lot and walk on its right side until you will see the entrance and clear sign to South Rim East Trailhead. The trail enters the forest covering the ridge line. You will have more viewing points over the Lower Falls.

After hiking for 1.2 miles along the rim you will reach Upper Falls view point, just near its parking lot.

The view of the 109-foot waterfall is also impressive.

From here you will pass the point of the Upper Falls and the trail keeps following the river but now more up close.

Along this section you can find a nice view of a river cascade and the old car bridge with its large arch spanning over a side creek. Today this bridge is part of the North Rim Trail.