Artist Point
Many people claim that this is Yellowstone's most scenic view. The sheer walls drop 700 feet to the bottom of the canyon, and upriver the Lower Falls can be viewed. This point offers a spectacular view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The canyon, made by the Yellowstone River, which continues to carve its path through the mountains, reaches a maximum depth of 1,540 feet a short distance down-river from Artist Point. The colors are wonderful and ever-changing. From the black rock near the top of the canyon, the river has cut through many layers of the same rhyolite that forms so much of the park. It is naturally gray or light pink and lavender, but iron compounds in varying amounts have stained it shades of orange and yellow - the yellow stone that gave a name to the river and the park.
Hayden Valley
The valley, between Canyon and Lake, is one of the park's best places to observe wildlife. Out on the sagebrush flats and open meadows are good places for elk and deer. Moose will be along the river. Buffalo graze the hillsides, although the large herds retreat to higher meadows for the summer. This is notorious grizzly country. Although the big bears are not sociable and are seldom seen, it is not advisable to hike here. The Yellowstone River spreads throughout the valley to form marshes which are frequented by waterfowl. Any white swans seen are probably trumpeter swans, of which there are only about 4,000-5,000 in the world.
Inspiration Point
Along the Inspiration Point Road is an outstanding example of how glaciers of the Ice Age moved the countryside around. A huge boulder sits beside the road in this almost universally volcanic rock landscape. It was transported some 15 miles from the mountains in the northeast corner of the park. Inspiration Point offers a spectacular view up the canyon to the Lower Falls and beyond. The river winds through the canyon about 900 feet below.
Lower Falls
The Yellowstone River tumbles 308 feet, striking the canyon floor with such force that it sends foam and mist hundreds of feet upward, dampening the rocks so constantly that bright green moss grows high above the water. Lower Falls is twice the height of Niagara Falls. As the water races on and finally stops foaming, it looks green but, in reality, it is totally clear. The river's color is from algae and moss.
Upper Falls
The fast flowing Yellowstone River arches gracefully out and down for 109 feet. The canyon walls are dark lava, heavily forested except for the sheer, foreboding cliffs on either side of the foaming falls and the deep, green pool into which the falls plunge.
Since most of Yellowstone's 350 miles of roads are closed to cars from November through April, getting into the park, be it to Old Faithful, Norris Geyser Basin or Yellowstone Lake, is a bit more of an adventure come winter. The park itself isn't closed of course – there are still entrance fees and lodges, hotels, restaurants, bars and gift shops are open – it's just that the only ways to get inside are by ski, snowshoe, snowcoach or snowmobile. read more
Don’t let its calm rivers fool you. Wyoming is also home to canyons with stretches of whitewater offering enough bounce and splash for even the most thrill-seeking, expert rafters. And if you’ve never rafted before? Not to worry. read more
