Natural Attraction
Grand View
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.
Access & viewing
- Accessibility
- Paved, stroller and wheelchair accessible; Lookout Point to Grand View path
Conditions & safety
- Permits Required
- 0
Planning advice
- Nearby Attractions
- Lookout Point, Inspiration Point, Brink of the Lower Falls, Artist Point
- Nearby Facilities
- Canyon Village nearby; lodging and services; Canyon Visitor Education Center nearby
- 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.
- Tips Advice
- 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.
- Insider Tips
- Parking fills by 8am in peak season; arrive early
- Best light is sunset or early morning
- Bear spray recommended; stay on paths
More details
- Park Area
- Yellowstone National Park
- Family Friendly Notes
- Exposed edges—hold hands; supervise children near barriers and along paved paths
- Attraction Type
- Geological Formation
- Elevation Feet
- 7700
- Distance From Entrance
- Varies
- Accessibility Level
- Drive-up view; paved access, stroller and wheelchair accessible
- How To Get There
- From the North Rim Drive, pull into the Grand View parking area. Use the short, paved path from the Lookout Point lot to the Grand View overlook for a seamless view.
- Parking Availability
- Parking can be difficult to find during busy times.
- Road Type
- Paved
- Seasonal Access
- North Rim Drive open late May to mid-October; roads generally clear in this window
- Entry Fees
- Varies
- Main Features
- Overlook on canyon rim with paved pathways and benches, viewing the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- What Youll See
- A rim overlook with expansive canyon views; red, orange, and yellow mineral bands in rhyolite walls; the Yellowstone River lies 600–800 feet below
- Unique Characteristics
- Colorful canyon walls from hydrothermal alteration and iron oxidation of rhyolite; exposure of interior Yellowstone rhyolite lava flow
- Safety Considerations
- Gravity: steep canyon drop-offs; slippery rocks; thermal crusts near vent areas; bear spray recommended; stay on designated trails and behind barriers
- Best Viewpoints
- Grand View overlook; Lookout Point (North Rim); Artist Point (South Rim)
- Photo Opportunities
- Golden hour at sunset or sunrise; canyon walls glow with warm tones
- Photography Spots
- From Grand View and Lookout Point; golden hour lighting enhances colors
- Stargazing Quality
- Excellent
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Sunset can redden canyon walls; alpenglow possible on ridges
- Visitor Center Present
- 1
- Restrooms Available
- 1
- Restroom Type
- Vault toilets
- Picnic Areas
- 0
- Interpretive Signs
- 1
- Cell Service
- Unreliable
- Water Available
- 0
- Guided Tours Available
- 0
- Trailheads Here
- Lookout Point to Grand View paved pathway
- Connecting Trails
- Lookout Point Trail; Canyon Village trails
- Nearby Services
- Canyon Village lodging and services; Canyon Visitor Education Center nearby
- Common Wildlife
- Birds of prey; bison, elk, or bears in meadows nearby
- Best Wildlife Times
- Dawn and dusk
- Wildflower Peak
- July
- Fall Colors Peak
- Mid-September to early October
- Geological Formation Type
- Rhyolite lava flow exposure; canyon carved by Yellowstone River with faulting and hydrothermal alteration
- Scientific Interest
- Visible interior of rhyolite lava flow; hydrothermal alteration and iron-oxide coloration; canyon evolution in deep time
- Road Opening Dates
- Late May to mid-October
- Snow Lingering
- Snow may linger into May on higher elevations
- Winter Access
- Limited; snow routes and winter closures
- Best Visit Times
- Evening golden hour or early morning; avoid peak midday crowds
- Best Season
- Late May through September
- Weather Patterns
- Snow lingers into late spring at higher elevations; summer thunderstorms; afternoon glare
- Peak Fill Times
- July and August
- Busiest Season
- July and August
- Waterfall Height
- 308 feet
- Waterfall Flow Rate
- High in spring; seasonal variability
- Fishing Species
- Yellowstone cutthroat trout, river species
- Fishing Nearby
- 0
- Swimming Allowed
- 0
- Boating Allowed
- 0
- Climbing Areas
- 0
- Review Summary
- This overlook carries a 4.9-star rating from 432 reviews. Visitors describe the canyon colors and expansive perspective as compelling, with the overlook being easily accessible from North Rim Drive; however, parking can become tight during peak season.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
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?
Yes. The short, paved route leads to a sweeping panorama of the canyon’s color bands and the Yellowstone River far below.
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.
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.
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.
More at Yellowstone National Park
Fort Yellowstone Overlook
Travertine terraces from Mammoth Hot Springs; calcium carbonate deposition in action.
Firehole River
Rhyolite canyon walls frame a geothermal-warmed Firehole River, with Firehole Falls dropping 40 feet.
Slough Creek
Meadow stream, VIP Pool at Lamar confluence; shaped by fluvial erosion and glacial deposition.
Imperial Geyser
Imperial Geyser erupts from a 75×100 ft pool; silica-lined conduits feed vivid runoff mats.
Inspiration Point
Promontory overlooking the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; rhyolite walls reveal millions of years of erosion.
Upper Falls View
Upper Falls, 109 ft drop over rhyolite—river erosion in a hydrothermally altered canyon.
Recommended gear for Yellowstone National Park
Sources
- 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
- National Park Service
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.