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Usitour
Sightseeing

Upper Falls

📍 Wyoming · USA
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3.5/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Introduction

Upper Falls is one of the two major waterfalls on the Yellowstone River as it carves the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in Wyoming, with a drop of about 33 meters. The falls plunge from the canyon rim, and the Yellowstone River carries minerals from upstream thermal areas that give it a distinctive golden hue, the very color that gives Yellowstone its name. Upper Falls and the more spectacular Lower Falls (93 meters) together sculpt the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, a 300-meter-deep brilliantly colored canyon. Lookout Point and Red Rock Point on the North Rim are the best viewpoints, offering full views of the falls and the canyon profile; the historic Uncle Tom's Trail descends into the canyon for mist-close views. Upper Falls is shorter than Lower Falls but is the key to understanding Yellowstone geology and naming.

✨ Highlights

1
Namesake Golden River
2
33-Meter Drop
3
Canyon Sculptor
4
Lookout Point
5
Uncle Tom's Trail
6
North Rim Drive

🛈 Practical Info

→Hours：North Rim road open late May to mid-October
→Admission：Yellowstone pass, $35 per private vehicle for 7 days
→Best Time：June to September, morning with favorable light
→Transport：About 5 minutes drive from Canyon Village on North Rim
→Duration：About 1 to 1.5 hours across viewpoints
→Trail Note：Uncle Tom's Trail is steep and strenuous

💡 Tips

• Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Artist Point are all in the canyon; tour them in sequence.
• Morning light hits the falls and canyon walls head-on for the richest color.
• The trail is steep with steel stairs; if unsure, view from Lookout Point instead.
• Bighorn sheep and eagles are common; keep distance and never feed animals.

FAQ

Any practical tips for visiting Upper Falls?

Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Artist Point are all in the canyon; tour them in sequence. Morning light hits the falls and canyon walls head-on for the richest color.