Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nearby picnic area on the Northeast Entrance Rd. The hike includes several river crossings
that can prove tricky in early summer.
Specimen Ridge Trail
is a popular but long 19-mile hike up and along the ridge, past
Amethyst Mountain, then down into the Lamar Valley. Check with rangers beforehand
that the Lamar River ford is traversable. You'll need to arrange a shuttle.
Canyon Country
Though the surrounding backcountry draws far less attention than the Grand Canyon of
the Yellowstone, it is every bit as interesting. Abundant wildlife, good camping, mesmer-
izing cascades and great vistas await. You can also consider the Seven Mile Hole trail as
an 11-mile day hike (
Click here
)
.
South Rim Trail & Ribbon Lake
Duration
4 hours
Distance
6 miles
Difficulty
Easy
Elevation Change
Negligible
Start/Finish
Uncle Tom's parking lot
Nearest Town/Junction
Canyon Village
Summary
An incredibly varied hike that combines awesome views of the Grand Canyon
of the Yellowstone with a couple of lakes and even a backcountry thermal area.
Southeast of the Yellowstone Canyon's South Rim, a network of trails meanders through
meadows and forests and past several small lakes. This loop links several of these and
makes a nice antidote to seeing canyon views framed by the windshield of your car.
Park at Uncle Tom's parking area on the Canyon's South Rim Dr and, after checking
out the views of the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls from Uncle Tom's Trail (
Click here
), take the
South Rim Trail
east from Uncle Tom's Trail, along the rim of the canyon to
Artist Point
for some of the finest canyon views available.
