The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is about 20 miles long. Compared with the rest of Yellowstone national Park it is a relatively recent geologic feature no more than 10,000 to 14,000 years old. The canyon was formed by erosion rather than by glaciation.

The power of the Yellowstone River is the force that created the canyon and the falls. The river begins in the south of the park on the slopes of Yount Peak. The Yellowstone river then travels more than 600 miles until it flows in to the Missouri River in North Dakota.

There are viewpoints on both the north and south rim. There is a road that goes along the north and south rim, but you have to return to the main road to access each rim road. Best time of day to watch the Lower Falls is during the morning. During the afternoon, the falls will be covered by shadow. You cannot see the falls from the road. Park and walk to the viewing points. Some of the best viewing points are at the end of trails. One of the good ones starts at Lookout Point and takes 45 minutes for the roundtrip.

Inspiration Point at the far end of the road is the best place to get an overview of the canyon but there are 55 steps. Lookout Point is great for views of the Lower Falls. Brink of the Upper Falls takes you close to the water's edge. The Red Rock trail has a spectacular view at the end of the Lower Falls, but it is a long, steep, switchbacked trail. An easier spot to view the Lower Falls is Lookout Point, just to the right of Red Rock trail. Artist's Point is another great spot to view the Lower Falls. If you go early in the morning on a sunny day, you will see a rainbow at the base of the falls.

The canyon is mainly made of a rock called Rhyolite and it comes in a number of different colours from deeps reds oranges and coppers. With the Yellowstone river, upper falls, and lower falls, it is not surprising that canyon is used by many artist as their inspiration

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