Canyon Village
The Canyon Village area of Yellowstone is one of the most majestic areas found within the Park boundaries. With the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River as the highlight, the views are vast, deep and sure to inspire. Be sure to take some time exploring the natural wonders, historic points of interest through road tours, hiking and Park programs.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
© National Park Service
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the primary geologic feature in the
Canyon District. It is roughly 20 miles long, measured from the Upper Falls to
the Tower Fall area. Depth is 800 to 1,200 ft.; width is 1,500 to 4,000 ft. The
canyon as we know it today is a very recent geologic feature. The present canyon
is no more than 10,000 to 14,000 years old, although there has probably been a
canyon in this location for a much longer period. The exact sequence of events
in the formation of the canyon is not well understood, as there has been little
field work done in the area. The few studies that are available are thought to
be inaccurate. We do know that the canyon was formed by erosion rather than by
glaciation. A more complete explanation can be found in the Geological Overview
section. The geologic story of the canyon, its historical significance as a
barrier to travel, its significance as destination/attraction, and its
appearance in Native American lore and in the accounts of early explorers are
all important interpretive points. The "ooh-ahh" factor is also important: its
beauty and grandeur, its significance as a feature to be preserved, and the
development of the national park idea.
The Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone
The falls are erosional features formed by the Yellowstone River as it flows
over progressively softer, less resistant rock. The Upper Falls is upstream of
the Lower Falls and is 109 ft. high. It can be seen from the Brink of the Upper
Falls Trail and from Uncle Tom's Trail.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
© National Park Service
The Lower Falls is 308 ft. high and can be seen from Lookout Point, Red Rock
Point, Artist Point, Brink of the Lower Falls Trail, and from various points on
the South Rim Trail. The Lower Falls is often described as being more than twice
the size of Niagara, although this only refers to its height and not the volume
of water flowing over it. The volume of water flowing over the falls can vary
from 63,500 gal/sec at peak runoff to 5,000 gal/sec in the fall.
A third falls can be found in the canyon between the Upper and Lower falls.
Crystal Falls is the outfall of Cascade Creek into the canyon. It can be seen
from the South Rim Trail just east of the Uncle Tom's area.
The Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River is the force that created the canyon and the falls. It
begins on the slopes of Yount Peak, south of the park, and travels more than 600
miles to its terminus in North Dakota where it empties into the Missouri River.
It is the longest undammed river in the continental United States.
Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley is one of the best places in the park to view a wide variety of
wildlife. It is an excellent place to look for grizzly bears, particularly in
the spring and early summer when they may be preying upon newborn bison and elk
calves. Large herds of bison may be viewed in the spring, early summer, and
during the fall rut, which usually begins late July to early August. Coyotes can
almost always be seen in the valley.
Bird life is abundant in and along the river. A variety of shore birds may be
seen in the mud flats at Alum Creek. A pair of sandhill cranes usually nests at
the south end of the valley. Ducks, geese, and American white pelicans cruise
the river. The valley is also an excellent place to look for bald eagles and
northern harriers.
Mt. Washburn
Mt. Washburn is the main peak in the Washburn Range, rising 10,243 ft. above the
west side of the canyon. It is the remnant of volcanic activity that took place
long before the formation of the present canyon. It is an excellent example of
subalpine habitat and is very accessible to the average visitor. Bighorn sheep
and an abundance of wildflowers can be found on its slopes in the summer. Mt.
Washburn was named for Gen. Henry Dana Washburn, leader of the 1870
Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition.
- content provided by the National Park Service
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