South Rim Trail Yellowstone Hike: Everything You Need to Know
If you’re looking for one hike that perfectly captures the beauty of Yellowstone National Park, I’d recommend the South Rim Trail.
During our second visit to Yellowstone, we wanted to spend more time hiking rather than simply stopping at viewpoints. The South Rim Trail turned out to be one of the biggest highlights of our trip, offering spectacular views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, the powerful Yellowstone River, and the iconic Lower Falls.
Many visitors drive directly to Artist Point, snap a few photos, and continue on. While that viewpoint is absolutely worth visiting, hiking the South Rim Trail lets you experience the canyon from multiple perspectives, making the journey just as rewarding as the destination.
If you’re wondering whether this hike is worth adding to your Yellowstone itinerary, my answer is an easy yes.
Quick Trail Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Trail Name | South Rim Trail |
| Location | Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone |
| Distance | ~3.2 miles round trip (our hike) |
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
| Elevation Gain | Mostly gentle with a few rolling sections |
| Time Required | 2–3 hours |
| Kid Friendly | Yes, for families comfortable with walking a few miles |
| Dogs Allowed | No (National Park regulations) |
| Restrooms | Available at the main parking areas |
| Our Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Why We Chose the South Rim Trail
When planning this Yellowstone trip, we knew we wanted to include at least one longer hike that would showcase the park beyond its famous geysers and boardwalks.
The South Rim Trail immediately caught our attention because it combines everything we enjoy – beautiful scenery, a well-maintained trail, and one of Yellowstone’s most iconic waterfalls. Rather than driving from overlook to overlook, we wanted to experience the canyon gradually, taking our time to stop, photograph the scenery, and simply enjoy the views along the way.
Looking back, it became our favorite hike in Yellowstone.
Where is the South Rim Trail?
The South Rim Trail is located in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone area, one of the park’s most visited regions. We started our hike near the Uncle Tom’s Point/View of the Upper Falls parking area and followed the trail east toward Artist Point, where we finished with breathtaking views of the Lower Falls.
One of the nice things about this hike is that you can customize it. Some visitors walk only a short section to one of the overlooks, while others like we did – hike the entire trail to experience every viewpoint along the canyon.
📝 Latha’s Tip: If you’re visiting during the busy summer months, arrive early in the morning. Parking fills quickly around both Uncle Tom’s Point and Artist Point.
Trail Conditions & Difficulty
One of the reasons we enjoyed this hike so much is that it’s accessible to a wide range of visitors.
The trail is well-marked and generally follows the canyon rim through a mix of forested sections and open viewpoints. While there are a few gentle climbs and descents, there are no long, strenuous uphill sections that make the hike particularly difficult.
Instead, the trail encourages you to slow down. Every few minutes, another viewpoint invites you to stop, take photos, and admire the changing scenery. We found ourselves pausing far more often than expected not because we were tired, but because each overlook offered a different perspective of the canyon.
I’d describe it as an easy-to-moderate hike suitable for most families and casual hikers.
Stop 1 – Upper Falls
Early in the hike, you’ll come across views of the Upper Falls, where the Yellowstone River plunges 109 feet before continuing through the canyon.
Although the Upper Falls is smaller than the famous Lower Falls, it’s impressive in its own right. Standing near the overlook, you can hear the roar of the water long before you reach the viewpoint. Watching the river squeeze through the narrow canyon before dropping over the falls gives you a real appreciation for the immense power of the Yellowstone River.
📷 Photo Idea: Capture both a wide-angle shot of the falls and a zoomed-in view of the rushing water disappearing into the canyon.
Walking Along the Canyon Rim
This section of the trail was our favorite. As the path winds through pine forests and along the canyon’s edge, the scenery constantly changes. Some viewpoints open to sweeping panoramas of the canyon, while others provide dramatic glimpses of the river far below.
One of the most striking features of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is its vibrant color. The canyon walls are painted in shades of yellow, orange, pink, and rust-red, created by hydrothermal alteration of volcanic rock over thousands of years. It’s easy to see how Yellowstone National Park got its name.
Every overlook seemed to offer a new perspective, making the hike feel much shorter than its distance.
Artist Point – The Grand Finale
The South Rim Trail ends at one of Yellowstone’s most iconic viewpoints—Artist Point.
If you’ve ever seen a postcard or calendar featuring Yellowstone, there’s a good chance it was taken from here. Standing at the overlook, we watched the Lower Falls plunge an incredible 308 feet into the colorful canyon below. The waterfall, framed by towering canyon walls and the winding Yellowstone River, creates one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the park.
Even though Artist Point is accessible by car, arriving here on foot after hiking the South Rim Trail made the experience feel much more rewarding. We spent quite a while here taking photos, soaking in the scenery, and reflecting on what had been an unforgettable five days in Yellowstone.
Is the South Rim Trail Worth It?
Absolutely.
If your schedule only allows time to drive to Artist Point, you’ll still see one of Yellowstone’s most spectacular viewpoints. However, if you have an extra couple of hours, hiking the South Rim Trail transforms the experience. Instead of one incredible view, you’ll enjoy a series of overlooks, quieter sections of trail, and a deeper appreciation for the scale and beauty of the canyon.
What to Bring
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Plenty of water
- Light snacks
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Camera or smartphone
- A lightweight jacket (weather changes quickly in Yellowstone)
Photography Tips
The South Rim Trail is a photographer’s dream.
- Visit in the morning for softer light on the canyon walls.
- A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the vast canyon landscapes.
- Don’t rush to Artist Point, some of our favorite photos were taken from the quieter overlooks along the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the South Rim Trail take?
Allow 2 to 3 hours if you want to enjoy the viewpoints, take photos, and walk at a relaxed pace.
Is the trail difficult?
No. We’d rate it as easy to moderate. The trail is well maintained, with gentle elevation changes and plenty of opportunities to rest.
Can children hike the South Rim Trail?
Yes. Families with children who are comfortable walking a few miles should have no trouble completing the hike. Just keep a close eye on children near the canyon rim and stay on designated trails.
Is Artist Point worth visiting if I don’t hike?
Definitely. Artist Point offers one of Yellowstone’s most famous views and is accessible by car. However, hiking the South Rim Trail adds a richer experience by connecting multiple overlooks along the canyon.
The South Rim Trail reminded us that some of Yellowstone’s best experiences aren’t always the ones with the biggest crowds. While Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring are unforgettable, this hike gave us something different, a chance to slow down, immerse ourselves in the landscape, and experience one of the park’s most dramatic natural wonders on foot.
The combination of forested trails, colorful canyon walls, the powerful Yellowstone River, and the unforgettable finale at Artist Point made this our favorite hike of the trip. It’s the kind of trail that encourages you to pause often, take in the scenery, and appreciate the incredible forces that shaped Yellowstone over thousands of years.
If you have a few extra hours in your itinerary, don’t just drive to Artist Point. Hike the South Rim Trail and let the journey become part of the experience.
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