Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Ribbon Lake Loop Hike with Lunch
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
4–6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for hikers with moderate fitness who can handle sustained walking and short climbs; some uneven terrain.
Overview
Start at the Upper Falls pavilion with hot coffee, then step onto a 4–6 mile loop that stitches canyon rims, Ribbon Lake, thermal basins, and Hayden Valley into a full-day Yellowstone hike. Guides manage logistics and wildlife safety while you focus on waterfalls, views, and a riverside lunch.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Ribbon Lake Loop Hike with Lunch
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By 8 a.m. the pavilion at Upper Falls smells like coffee and cold pine. Guides check packs and hand out steaming cups while the canyon’s first light paints the rhyolite walls a slow, coppery orange. You start on the rim—where the Yellowstone River has carved vertical faces that drop away like pages torn from the earth—and before long the hum of the parking lot fades to bird song and the crunch of trail beneath boots.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Start early and layer up
Mornings at the rim are cold — bring a light fleece and wind shell to add or remove as the sun warms the canyon.
Keep distance from wildlife
Guides will enforce park buffering rules—stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other animals for safety.
Footwear and footing
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good traction; rim and forest trails can be rocky and slippery after rain.
Bring refillable water
There is no potable water on the trail; carry at least 1.5–2 liters per person and a lightweight filter if you prefer refill options.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bison
- Elk (and occasional black bear sightings)
History
The canyon’s bright colors and steep walls formed through hydrothermal alteration and river erosion; Yellowstone’s landscapes have long been traveled by Indigenous groups and were documented by 19th-century explorers.
Conservation
Stay on trails and boardwalks near thermal areas, respect wildlife distances, and pack out trash—these practices protect fragile geothermal features and animal habitats.
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Adventure Hotspots in Canyon Village (Yellowstone National Park)
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy hiking shoes
Support and traction for loose rock, roots, and occasional slick patches.
Layered clothing (fleece + wind shell)
Temperature swings are common from morning shade to midday sun.
Hydration system (1.5–2 L)
No potable water on route—carry enough for the day.
summer specific
Camera with mid-range zoom
Capture wide canyon vistas and distant wildlife without getting too close.