Lower Falls of the Yellowstone — 308ft Plunge in Wyoming

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone is a 308-foot plunge waterfall in Park County, Wyoming, reached by a moderate hike over 1.5 miles.

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone is the iconic 308-foot plunge waterfall in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — the deepest gorge in Yellowstone National Park, with sheer yellow-and-orange canyon walls (giving the river and park their name) descending 1,000+ feet to the Yellowstone River. The falls are accessible from multiple viewpoints: Artist Point (the most photographed, eastern rim), the Brink of the Lower Falls trail (3-quarter mile descent to the very edge), and Uncle Tom's Trail (steep stairs descent to mid-canyon view). It's one of the most-visited features in Yellowstone and the marquee canyon experience.

What to expect

Drive to the Canyon area of Yellowstone NP — multiple viewpoints accessible from both the North and South Rim drives. Artist Point (South Rim) is the iconic photograph. The Brink of the Lower Falls trail (North Rim) is 0.7 miles round-trip with steep stairs to the very edge of the falls. Uncle Tom's Trail (also South Rim, a separate descent) has 328 stairs to a mid-canyon viewpoint. Plan a half-day for multiple viewpoints. Pair with the Upper Falls (a few hundred yards upstream, smaller but dramatic) or Mammoth Hot Springs.