
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch
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Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 403 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch worth booking?
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch is a 6-hour experience in Yellowstone National Park, United States, from $182 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 403 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (403)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $182 per person
The Grand Canyon Rim Hike is one of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park. This hiking tour is a loop. Your tour guide will watch for bears and answer your questions along the way. Not only do we hike along the Rim
What you get
About this experience
The Grand Canyon Rim Hike is one of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park. This hiking tour is a loop. Your tour guide will watch for bears and answer your questions along the way. Not only do we hike along the Rim of the Canyon, but also through the forest to lakes, mud pots, and meadows. Your guide knows the trail and trail junctions, where many hikers get confused. Your guide also knows the good spots to stop for photos, resting, and lunch with a view.
What's included
Included
- Breakfast
- Bear Spray, Binoculars, Trekking Pole, Backpack (if necessary)
- Professional guide
- Tea and coffee
- Lunch
Not included
- Entrance Fee to Yellowstone National Park, $35 per vehicle, good for one week
- Bottled water
- Rain jacket and fleece layer
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Your expert guide will meet you at the Pavilion next to the Upper Falls Parking Area at 8AM. The hike is a 4 to 6-mile loop. The hike is along the Canyon Rim, then through the endless pine forest out to Ribbon Lake. After that, we pass a thermal basin, Clear Lake, and the Hayden Valley. If you hike one trail in Yellowstone this should be it!
180 minutes here · Admission not included
Upper Falls
We begin our hike seeing the Yellowstone's Upper Falls. This is the beginning of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
5 minutes here
Artist Point
We will stop by Artist Point for views of the Lower Falls along the Yellowstone River. This is a must see when in Yellowstone. The 308 foot falls is surrounded by the colorful canyon. The area can be a little crowded, but it's worth it! After viewing the falls, we leave the crowds behind and hit the dirt trail.
15 minutes here
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
After leaving Artist Point, we hit the dirt trails. We hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for more colorful views. We turn off in to the forest for a walk through endless pines before hiking past mud pots and steaming vents.
60 minutes here
We take a break at Clear Lake to soak in the serenity. We often see wildlife and wildflowers.
30 minutes here
Hayden Valley
We see the Hayden Valley from the trail with wide open views of mountains touching the sky. This is a wonderful spot to see bison, as well as the occasional bear or wolf, at a distance.
15 minutes here
Yellowstone River
We end our hike along the Yellowstone River taking in views of calm waters becoming rapids before descending over the Upper Falls.
45 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Yellowstone National Park
Meet near the pavilion at the Upper Falls View Parking Area off of the South Rim Drive. Turn left off the Grand Loop Road on the South Rim Drive, 2 miles south of Canyon Village, toward Artist Point. After crossing over the Yellowstone River on a bridge, turn left at the 'Canyon Views' sign.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet near the pavilion at the Upper Falls View Parking Area off of the South Rim Drive. Turn left off the Grand Loop Road on the South Rim Drive, 2 miles south of Canyon Village, toward Artist Point. After crossing over the Yellowstone River on a bridge, turn left at the 'Canyon Views' sign.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Yellowstone Hiking Guides
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 400 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
6 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
400 verified traveler reviews for Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
This hike was so surreal....
This hike was so surreal. Parker was our guide and he was great. He studied environmental science and you can tell! He was super passionate and knowledgeable from the ecosystem, to the trees, to the landscape, etc. the hike was definitely a solid moderate hike, so would definitely recommend you like hiking to do this day hike. But for us it was perfect to get off the beaten path and see things you can’t see from your car. This hike also had it all, stunning views, elevation pushes, mud pots, lakes, prairies, and more.
via Viator
Best Hike and Guide Ever 😊
We loved our hike - the scenery was incredible and Rory was an absolutely stellar guide. She was able to cater to all skill levels and kept the entire group engaged. She is exceptionally well-educated and knowledgeable, while at the same time being supportive, personable, and helpful to our entire group of all skill levels. She made the hike 1000x more enjoyable and manageable than it would’ve been going alone. The hike was truly spectacular and will be remembered for a lifetime!
via Tripadvisor
Amazing views!
A great day of hiking and views. I was solo and didn’t want to worry about logistics or animal encounters. This was the hike for me!
via Viator
Great experience
Great experience. Our guide Maddie was excellent. She had a great personality and was very knowledgeable.
via Viator
Awesome Experience!
We had Maddie as our guide and she was absolutely fabulous!!! We went with a group of women and she did a great job leading us and teaching us things along the way. Would highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 141
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Yellowstone National Park.
How much does Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch cost?
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Prices start at $182 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Yellowstone National Park usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Yellowstone National Park is not rushed.
Is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 403 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Yellowstone National Park, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch?
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Around 141 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Yellowstone National Park can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Yellowstone National Park and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Yellowstone National Park within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park?
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Yellowstone tours run geyser basins and Grand Prismatic, Lamar Valley wolf and bison watching at dawn, photography workshops and winter snowcoach trips. Distances inside the park are enormous, so itinerary honesty matters more than anything else. On Outty we rank every Yellowstone National Park experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features, 250th Anniversary Yellowstone 55+ Adults Only Deals,gifts & lunch, 4-Hour Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Yellowstone National Park?
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May to September, plus December to March for snowcoach tours. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Yellowstone National Park?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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