Uncle Toms Trail

Winter visits to the canyon area are only available by guided snow coach, or guided snowmobile trips. Uncle Tom's is closed in the winter and subject to closures in the spring due to ice and snow. The trail starts off at Uncle Tom's Point. From the parking lot you can either see the Upper Falls Viewpoint, head to Uncle Tom's Trail or do both! We did both and it only added about 10 extra minutes. Uncle Tom's Point was the old location of many cabins for visitors until the lodge was built at the Canyon Village nearby. From the parking lot, the Upper Falls Viewpoint is about a 2 minute walk. Just follow the signs and you will be led straight there. Please note that you will be walking on perforated steel so good sturdy shoes are a must! Uncle Tom's Trail was created back in 1898 by a man named Uncle Tom Richardson. He guided guests down his trail of wooden ladders and ropes to the Lower Falls. Uncle Tom's Trail is a steel stairway that features more than 300 steps and the entire hike will drop about 500 feet. It is VERY steep but there are handrails and benches along the way. It is important that if you have any heart or other health problems that you make a wise judgment call so you are able to do this hike without injuring yourself. Just take your time, rest often, drink lots of water and you will be fine. You will encounter a few signs along the way. I recommend reading them as they point out interesting information about who made the trail and how it came to be. We did this hike on a rainy day which made the perforated steel somewhat slippery. I found myself holding on to the railings with both hands as I was going down and I wasn't surprised to see the bulk of other hikers doing the same thing. The steel stairs are very steep. You may think it is easy to go down but remember you will be coming back up the same way and it is very tiring! If you rest and take your time as you go back up you won't have any problems. You will see the mist from the falls well before they come into view. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is an incredible site to see. I was just as amazed with Lower Falls as I was with the canyon. In the picture below you can see Red Rock Point on the opposite side of the canyon, just to the right of the waterfall. This is another great hike. Head back towards the parking lot. Remember to take your time. The climb back up is very steep and you will get tired.