Leave the crowds and follow a naturalist along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. This full-day guided hike takes you from Upper Falls to the thunderous Lower Falls, passing geothermal features, meadows and dramatic canyon edges with an intimate, small-group pace.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You start the day with cold air cutting across an open meadow and the canyon already speaking — a distant rumble where water finds a path and rock answers back. The guide meets the small group beside the post office, maps the route and, before long, the trail unwinds into lodgepole pine and grassy benches. The canyon does not reveal itself all at once; walls of rhyolite and tuff flicker into view, oranges and rusts bright against intermittent steam vents that seem to breathe.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Moderate fitness needed — regular hikers or active individuals comfortable with 6–8 miles and short steep sections
Wildlife
History
The canyon’s colorful layers record hydrothermal alteration from Yellowstone’s volcanic history, and early 20th-century park advocates helped protect these views for visitors.
Conservation
Stay on trails to protect fragile thermal soils and plant communities; small-group tours reduce trampling and local impact compared with larger crowds.
Reserve your spot on the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Hiking Adventure Full Day with Lunch today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Altitude & Pace
The trail gains and drops moderately—move at a steady pace, hydrate early, and take breaks to avoid altitude fatigue.
Bear Aware
Keep food packed until lunch, carry bear spray within reach, and follow your guide’s instructions for wildlife encounters.
Footwear & Traction
Wear sturdy hiking shoes with good tread—sections near canyon edges are rocky and can be slippery after rain.
Leave No Trace
Thermal features are fragile—stay on routed trails and never touch or approach geothermal pools.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Anchors you on rocky and occasionally loose trail sections near the canyon edge.
Layered jacket (fleece/windshell)
Weather can shift quickly at elevation; layers let you regulate warmth and wind protection.
Hydration system (2L+)
Six hours on trail in dry park air requires steady fluid replacement.
summer
Bear spray
Useful for wildlife safety; guides carry protocols but personal spray adds protection.
spring