Grand View Overlook, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Q: Is it worth the brief, paved walk from the lot to the viewpoint?

Yes. The short, paved route leads to a sweeping panorama of the canyon’s color bands and the Yellowstone River far below.

Q: Will my 65-year-old be able to walk to the viewpoint?

Yes. The Grand View overlook is connected by a paved, stroller- and wheelchair-accessible route from the Lookout Point parking area.

Q: Is bear spray recommended for the Grand View area?

Yes. Bear spray is advised in Yellowstone; keep it accessible and know how to use it if you venture beyond developed areas.

Q: What’s the best time to see the canyon colors?

Golden hour—sunset or early morning—brightens the reds and yellows in the rhyolite walls and enhances contrast with the river.

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Overview

About This Attraction

Red canyon walls painted with reds, oranges, and yellows frame a deep gorge, with the river 600–800 feet below. The view comes from erosion along the Yellowstone River, intensified by faulting and hydrothermal alteration of rhyolite lava. You’re standing on a paved overlook, where safety barriers keep you on the edge of a dynamic volcanic landscape.

Best Time to Visit

Late May through September; North Rim Drive open late May to mid-October. Sunsets cast a reddish hue on the walls; mornings offer cooler, crisper colors.

Visitor Tips

Look for the iron-oxide bands in the rhyolite and notice how the colors shift with the light.
Stay on paved paths and behind barriers; the drop is steep and the terrain can be slippery when wet.
Parking often fills on warm weekends—arrive early or be prepared for limited space.
Cell service is unreliable—plan ahead and carry a map.

Reviews

★★★★☆

4.9 /5

Based on 432 Google reviews

Reviews from Google

Another great spot to view. Easy payoff for a short walk. Go early so there are no crowds.

See the contrast between midday and evening as the sun sets and provides a reddish hue in the background

Fancy to know that this was one of the main viewpoints of Yellowstone’s instead of old faithful or some colourful spring (that were heavily edited) The Grand view sits along a few viewpoints down the road and indeed, this was the most grand! You would probably need about 10-15 mins duration for your photo shoot. The hike is less than 5 minutes to the viewpoint.

Showing 3 of 432 reviews

FAQs

Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?

Parking tends to fill up in peak season; arriving early increases your odds of finding a spot and reduces crowding at the overlook.

Is it worth the brief, paved walk from the lot to the viewpoint?

Will my 65-year-old be able to walk to the viewpoint?

Is bear spray recommended for the Grand View area?

What’s the best time to see the canyon colors?

📖 usgs.gov 📖 wikipedia.org 📖 nps.gov 📖 naturalatlas.com 📖 lonelyplanet.com 📖 wheelchairtraveling.com 📖 grizzlyrv.com 📖 wanderlog.com 📖 yellowstone.co 📖 mtmemory.org 📖 youtube.com 📖 earthtrekkers.com 📖 yellowstonenationalparklodges.com 📖 roadsidesecrets.com 📖 hikingproject.com 📖 outdooractive.com 📖 nathab.com 📖 yellowstonepark.com ⭐ Google Reviews 🏞️ National Park Service 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

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Grand View