The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is an incredible sight to see and hike along in Yellowstone National Park. From different vantage points, you can marvel at Lower Yellowstone Falls. The forest along the hike was tranquil and mediative, and once we left the crowds, we probably saw a little more than a dozen people.
We began our hike at the Upper Falls View on the Yellowstone River, where it was crowded, but it gave a hint of the scenery ahead. We hiked on a paved path for a short way, and we followed the canyon away from the crowds were and took the in the fantastic views.
We hiked along the trail a little more than a quarter of a mile and came to Artist Point, where the crowds picked back up, but also where we saw the last of them. At Artist Point, the view back to Lower Yellowstone Falls is unbelievable, and then the view in the opposite direction down Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone can be just as jaw dropping.
After we left Artist Point, the people really thinned out, and there was a separation from the drive-by tourists and hikers. Even though this hike was only about seven miles long and not far from roads, it really felt like we were in the backcountry.
We followed the rim of the canyon for a little more than half a mile, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the views before we turned away and headed into the forest, and at about .20 miles, we came to Lily Pad Lake, which lived up to its name. This is where we saw the last group of people, as someone was giving a guided tour that was coming out of where we were going in. We marveled at the lake with the forest around before we hiked on.
We came to an intersection in the trail and headed through the forest along the trail for about 1.3 miles where we came to our stopping point at Ribbon Lake West where we sat and enjoyed looking at the lake through the tall grass. It was extremely meditative, and we didn’t want to leave.
As we headed back, we made our way through the forest and back to the trail intersection, but we did not go back by Lily Pad Lake and the way we came in. Instead, we headed west on the trail, and after a little while, the terrain started to change. Around us was barren ground where mud pots boiled, and the odor of sulfur hung lightly in the air.
After we moved away from the mud pots, we approached Clear Lake with its ocean-like aquamarine colors. As we stood at the shore, we looked into the lake and could see bubbles rising to the surface from geothermal vents from the lake’s floor.
After enjoying the lake, we continued on and hiked to a meadow next to its tree line, came to a fork, and we took a right and stayed on Clear Lake Trail as it headed in the direction of where we parked. As we climbed up a hill and into another meadow, Anne spotted something that caught her attention, and knew something I did not.
She noticed that many of the trees that surrounded the meadow had their bark torn away from their trunks. She debated with herself before she told me they were grizzly bear markings. I did not know this, and my head was on a swivel for the rest of the way back to the car.
We were in Yellowstone and the end of August, and we were told that the grizzly bears were preparing for hibernation. We didn’t see any grizzlies while we were in Yellowstone, but we did see a mother and her cubs from the car near the road when we were down in the Grand Tetons.
It is advised that people out and about in Yellowstone carry bear spray with them, and it is sold throughout the park.
Directions: From Canyon Village, turn left onto North Rim Drive and left of Grand Loop Road for 2.3 miles. Turn left onto South Rim Drive and follow it for 2.6 miles, and then turn left 272 feet.
The Skinny
Trail: Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone To Ribbon Lake
Trailhead Coordinates: 44.714930, -110.496740
Trailhead Elevation: 7775 Feet
Distance: 6.7 Mile Lollipop
Level Of Difficulty: 🟠
Average Grade: 1.2%
Steepest Grade: 12.1 Over .2 Miles
Ascension: 1181 Feet
Trail Condition: 🟢🟢🟢🟢
Scenery: 🟢🟢🟢
Nearest Civilization: Canyon Village
Traffic: 🥾🥾
Highlights: Scenery
Best Time: Spring, Summer
Hazards: Getting Too Close To Mud Pots
Wildlife Concerns: Grizzly Bears, Mosquitoes, Mountain Lions, Rattlesnakes
Cell Service: 📵 (AT&T)
Would I Do This Hike Again?: Yes
Parking: $35 Entrance Fee Good For 7 Days At The Time Of This Writing
Restrooms: In The Parking Area