Hiking the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail in Yellowstone National Park
Distance (Roundtrip): 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
Elevation Change: ~600 ft. / 183 m
The Brink of the Lower Falls in Yellowstone National Park is a beautiful, fun, yet steep day hike that descends from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to the literal brink where Lower Yellowstone Falls drops a dramatic 308 ft. (94 m) into the canyon below!
That said, the Brink of the Lower Falls is an experience unlike any other, and it’s one that I consider to be a must-see if you’re visiting Yellowstone National Park for the first time!
However, the trail’s short distance is not a good indicator of its difficulty, as the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail is more challenging than it may initially seem, due to the rapid elevation change over a relatively short distance.
For this reason, some visitors may want to bring trekking poles for the short and steep descent, but regardless of its difficulty, making it down to the edge of Lower Yellowstone Falls is one of the best experiences across all of Yellowstone National Park!
What is the Best Time of Day to Hike the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail?
There are two answers to this question.
The first is in regards to the crowds, and the second is: would you rather come away with a great photo?
By this, I mean that the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail is one of the most popular day hikes in Yellowstone National Park, meaning that from about an hour after sunrise and throughout much of the day, the hike is very busy!
This is why the best way to avoid these crowds is to visit first thing in the morning, meaning within an hour of sunrise.
However, early morning is not the best time to take photos at the Brink of the Lower Falls because the falls and the canyon beyond are an east-facing viewpoint, meaning that photos early in the morning are typically blown out by the rising sun since it is so low in the sky.
For this reason, the best time to take photos at the Brink of the Lower Falls is in the afternoon—specifically between about 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.—because this is when hikers have the opportunity to take beautiful photos with a rainbow created by the mist from the waterfall!
The trick is to visit late, but not too late, in the early evening, as the shadows from the steep canyon walls creep in quickly, making this beautiful rainbow effect only lasts a short while each day during the best and most beautiful summer months to be in Yellowstone!
Brink of the Lower Falls Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail is located in the very first parking lot off of North Rim Drive, the one-way road that parallels the North Rim Trail on the north side of the Yellowstone River.
Before visiting, know that the Brink of the Lower Falls is the most popular stop of any trail or viewpoint off North Rim Drive, meaning that parking can be a challenge to come by during the busy summer travel season—another reason why I recommend visiting first thing in the morning if taking the best photos isn’t what matters most to you.
Google Maps Directions: Brink of the Lower Falls Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone–Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone–Teton area.
Hiking the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail
The Brink of the Lower Falls Trail follows an entirely paved path down to Lower Yellowstone Falls, which will start descending immediately after leaving the trailhead and continues for the entire hike.
In total, there are 9 switchbacks that drop about 600 ft. (183 m) from the trailhead to the Brink of the Lower Falls.
Brink of the Lower Falls-North Rim Junction
After just 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail passes the one and only junction on the entire hike.
This is the connection with the North Rim Trail, a beautiful day hike that parallels the North Rim of the Yellowstone River Canyon, connecting the Chittenden Bridge on the southern end to Inspiration Point to the north.
The full trail can be read about in my separate article linked below, but to stay on the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, go left to turn the much more obvious switchback heading downhill.
Read My Separate Post: North Rim Trail (Coming Soon)
This is the view looking south toward Upper Yellowstone Falls.
Once again, some visitors may want to bring trekking poles for the steep descent, which can certainly be useful here and across trails in Yellowstone National Park, as well as all the steep trails in Grand Teton National Park, like the beautiful Delta Lake Trail.
This viewpoint at the fourth switchback is no longer accessible to the public.
In the fall, visitors can also enjoy the Aspens as they change from green to gold during the much less busy times of the year to be in Yellowstone!
Brink of the Lower Falls
After just 0.4 miles (0.6 km), the Brink of the Lower Falls Trail ends at the very edge of the 308-ft. (94 m) Lower Yellowstone Falls!
During the peak summer travel season, the Brink of the Lower Falls viewpoint is often very busy, but if you’re patient, it’s usually not too difficult to work your way to the corner, which is easily one of the best viewpoints across Yellowstone National Park!
Old Faithful (Upper–Lower Geyser Basins)
Maddison–Norris
Canyon Village
Yellowstone Lake & East Entrance
Mammoth, Lamar Valley & Tower
