Uncle Tom's Upper Falls Viewing Area

Overview

This South Rim stop near Uncle Tom’s Point gives you a front-row look at the thundering Upper Falls carving into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The historic Uncle Tom’s Trail—those famous steel stairs down toward the Lower Falls—has been closed for several seasons, but the Upper Falls viewpoints remain an easy, worthwhile stop.

What You’ll See

Two short paths lead to overlooks with commanding views of the Upper Falls and the churning Yellowstone River below. From the left-hand overlook you can also spot Crystal Falls tucked in a side canyon, plus the old canyon bridge on the far rim.

On-the-Ground Details

Park at the Uncle Tom’s/Upper Falls area and follow the signed, mostly short walks to the railings. There are restrooms by the parking area, though they can be closed seasonally, and there’s typically no running water at the viewpoint itself. Expect well-kept paths with a few gentle ups and downs. Most visitors spend up to about 20 minutes here.

Best Time to Visit

Crowds swell late morning through midafternoon; go early (around 7–8 am) for easy parking, calmer viewpoints, and better breathing room for photos. Late day also eases up compared to the midday peak.

Pair It With

While the stair descent is closed, you can still stitch together a great canyon circuit: continue along the South Rim toward Artist Point for classic Lower Falls vistas, and then hop to the North Rim for the Brink of the Lower Falls or Inspiration Point to see the canyon from different angles.

Need-to-Know

• Uncle Tom’s Trail remains closed with no announced reopening—stick to the signed overlooks.
• Facilities and trail segments can change with the season; check current conditions day-of at the park’s official channels and posted signage.