Upper Falls View

Upper Falls, 109 ft drop over rhyolite—river erosion in a hydrothermally altered canyon.

Insider tip

Brink vantage is close to the spray, but stairs demand effort.

Insider tip

Morning light improves color and reduces crowds.

The light

East-facing; good sunrise light and potential alpenglow

Heads up

Gravity: steep drop-offs; mist makes surfaces slick; barriers exist but stay back from the brink; sturdy footwear required

Natural Attraction

Natural AttractionOPERATIONAL★ 4.9
Waterfall7,618 ftRestrooms availableNo permit neededGolden-hour pick

White water plunges 109 feet, spraying mist across the overlook. The canyon bears witness to the river’s ongoing erosion and the hydrothermal weakening of the rock. The brink sits where hard rhyolite meets weaker lava, a boundary forged by time and flow.

Getting there & parking

How To Get There
Drive to Canyon Village, then take South Rim Drive to the Upper Falls Viewpoint parking. From there, use the accessible overlook or take the Brink of the Upper Falls stairs for a close view; Uncle Tom's Point/Overlook is nearby for a classic vantage.
Distance From Entrance
Parking at Upper Falls Viewpoint off South Rim Drive; Brink of the Upper Falls is ~0.4 miles round-trip from the viewpoint
Road Type
Paved roads with short, paved paths to overlooks
Parking Availability
Parking can become very crowded, especially during peak season.
Peak Fill Times
Busiest in peak season; parking fills early
GPS Coordinates
44°42′46″N 110°29′59″W

When to go

Best Time To Visit
Late May through September; early morning light yields cleaner photos and lighter crowds. Spring snowmelt brings the most dramatic flow; September offers cooler weather with fewer people.
Best Visit Times
Early morning for light and fewer crowds; late spring to early fall for best flows
Sunrise Sunset Quality
East-facing; good sunrise light and potential alpenglow
Best Season
Late May–September
Busiest Season
Summer
Seasonal Access
Late May–September; spring snowmelt offers the most dramatic flow
Road Opening Dates
Late May–September
Snow Lingering
Spring snowmelt dominates; lingering into May
Winter Access
Limited; winter travel not recommended
Weather Patterns
Spring snowmelt; potential mid-day glare; afternoon showers are possible; microclimates around the canyon

What you will experience

Attraction Type
Waterfall
Main Features
109-foot waterfall; canyon carved by the Yellowstone River; brink marks contact between hard rhyolite and weaker lava; hydrothermal weakening influences rock strength
What Youll See
Upper Falls Viewpoint overlooks the 109-foot plunge; Brink of the Upper Falls and Uncle Tom's Point/Overlook offer varied angles; Crystal Falls is visible from some nearby overlooks.
Unique Characteristics
Brink marks the contact between hard rhyolite lava and weaker rock; canyon formation dated to roughly 160,000–140,000 years ago; hydrothermal activity influenced erosion and rock strength
Photo Opportunities
Golden hour at dawn; misty spray against canyon walls; sunrise light on east-facing falls
Photography Spots
Upper Falls Viewpoint; Brink of the Upper Falls; Uncle Tom's Point; Lookout Point
Best Viewpoints
Upper Falls Viewpoint; Brink of the Upper Falls; Uncle Tom's Point/Overlook; Lookout Point (North Rim)
Common Wildlife
Elk, bison, bears, and various birds
Best Wildlife Times
Dawn and dusk
Geological Formation Type
Rhyolite brink contact; canyon carved by river erosion; base rock is resistant rhyolite
Scientific Interest
Rock boundary at brink; hydrothermal weakening; ongoing canyon erosion

Facilities, fees & access

Entry Fees
Varies
Permits Required
No
Restrooms Available
Yes
Restroom Type
Accessible restrooms
Picnic Areas
No
Water Available
No
Cell Service
Limited
Interpretive Signs
No
Accessibility
Upper Falls Viewpoint is accessible; Brink is stairs; not fully accessible
Accessibility Level
Upper Falls Viewpoint: accessible walkways and parking; Brink of the Upper Falls trail includes stairs and is not wheelchair accessible
Nearby Services
Canyon Village (~1.8 miles north); Upper Falls Viewpoint restrooms
Nearby Facilities
Canyon Village; Upper Falls Viewpoint restrooms
Family Friendly Notes
Edge hazards; hold children’s hands near the brink; stay on designated paths

Safety

Safety Considerations
Gravity: steep drop-offs; mist makes surfaces slick; barriers exist but stay back from the brink; sturdy footwear required

Nearby

Nearby Attractions
Crystal Falls; Artist Point; Lookout Point; North Rim overlooks
Connecting Trails
Brink of the Upper Falls Trail; Artist Point Trail; Lookout Point loops
Trailheads Here
Brink of the Upper Falls trail; Upper Falls Viewpoint loop; Uncle Tom's Point/Overlook

Planning advice

Insider Tips
  • Brink vantage is close to the spray, but stairs demand effort.
  • Morning light improves color and reduces crowds.
  • Expect mist—protect cameras and shoes.
Tips Advice
  • Brink of the Upper Falls trail involves stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
  • Parking can become very crowded in peak season.
  • Wear sturdy footwear; mist makes surfaces slick.
  • Upper Falls Viewpoint has accessible walkways; stay behind barriers.

More details

Park Area
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park
Elevation Feet
7618
Visitor Center Present
Yes
Guided Tours Available
No
Waterfall Height
109
Waterfall Flow Rate
Varies with snowmelt; most dramatic in spring
Fishing Nearby
No
Swimming Allowed
No
Boating Allowed
No
Climbing Areas
No
Review Summary
Visitors consistently rate the Upper Falls Viewpoint highly for the dramatic plunge and the accessibility of the main overlook; the Brink offers a thrilling close-up, though the stairs limit mobility for some; parking can be crowded in peak season.

Location

Upper Falls View in Yellowstone National Park offers dramatic canyon walls and a rushing river.Upper Falls View at Yellowstone National Park offers a dramatic overlook of the powerful falls, mist, and a rainbow.Upper Falls View at Yellowstone National Park features a grazing elk in a meadow with a pine forest backdrop.Upper Falls View sign at Yellowstone National Park marks The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone overlook.

Frequently asked questions

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

Parking can become very crowded, especially during peak season. Plan to arrive early or expect overflow areas near the Upper Falls Viewpoint.

Is it worth the 0.4 mile walk to Brink of the Upper Falls?

Yes—the close-up vantage delivers a dramatic perspective of the plunge; the main Upper Falls Viewpoint affords an accessible alternative.

Can my elderly relative walk to the viewpoint?

Upper Falls Viewpoint has accessible walkways; the Brink of the Upper Falls involves stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.

Is Crystal Falls visible from here?

Crystal Falls is visible from some overlooks near Upper Falls, offering additional canyon scenery from nearby angles.

Is the water actually blue, or is that just in photos?

Water color varies with light and spray; the scene at the falls is impressionistic in photos and real-life light, not a single uniform shade.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Rainbow rim of a hot spring; colors arise from thermophiles in Yellowstone's volcanic system.

Yellowstone Lake

Caldera lake tilted by resurgent domes; hydrothermal vents dot the lakebed.

Lake Butte Overlook

Panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake from the caldera rim; distant Tetons on clear days.

Artist Point

Lower Falls overlook; canyon walls colored by hydrothermal alteration of rhyolite.

Gibbon River

84 ft Gibbon Falls; river through hydrothermal basins along Grand Loop Road.

Gibbon Falls

84-foot cascade over an ancient Yellowstone lava flow; drive-up overlook with a wheelchair-friendly path.

Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.