Brink of the Upper Falls

This is the separate overlook at the top of Upper Falls, where the Yellowstone River spills into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The drop is 109 feet. It’s shorter than Lower Falls, but the path brings you close to the water as it tips over the rock lip, so you feel its speed and sound more than you do from a distant rim view.

Turn onto Brink of Upper Falls Drive 1.6 miles south of Canyon Junction on Grand Loop Road, then follow the paved path. The park does not list this stop among its accessible canyon sidewalks and notes that most rim trails have grades or stairs, so don’t assume the route is step-free. Pets must stay in the parking area.

Upper Falls cuts across tough volcanic rhyolite; large blocks upstream are leftovers from a lava flow that resists erosion. The canyon’s orange, brown and green streaks come from rock changed by hot water underground. Some dark colors near the river can mark active hydrothermal ground.

The overlook was built in 1936. Its recorded design used a naturalistic flagstone staircase leading to an observation platform, giving visitors a defined route to the brink.

From the overlook, keep the foaming lip and steep canyon wall in the same frame to show where the river goes. Sun catching the spray sometimes creates a rainbow; treat that as a bonus, not a guarantee.