Brink Of The Upper Falls

The Brink of the Upper Falls is one of Yellowstone's most dramatic short hikes — a trail that leads families directly to the rim of the Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River, where the water plunges 109 feet into the canyon below. The experience of standing at the brink of this powerful waterfall, feeling the mist and hearing the roar, is viscerally exciting and completely unlike anything kids experience on most vacations.

The trail itself is short — roughly 0. 4 miles round trip — but features a steep descent with stairs that makes it unsuitable for strollers. For families with kids aged 5 and up who are reasonably comfortable on uneven terrain, the hike is very manageable and the payoff is enormous.

At the bottom, you're close enough to the falls to feel the spray and see the raw power of the Yellowstone River as it crashes over the edge.

Supervise young children carefully at this viewpoint — railings are in place but the drop is dramatic and the trail has several exposed edges. That said, the dramatic nature of the experience is precisely what makes it so memorable for kids who are old enough to appreciate it.

The Brink of the Upper Falls works perfectly as part of a broader Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone day. Combine it with the nearby Upper Falls View, the Lower Falls viewpoints, and the iconic vista from Artist Point to get the full picture of this extraordinary natural canyon. The Upper Falls and Lower Falls are close together, so this stop adds minimal drive time to your Yellowstone itinerary.