Trailhead: 1.25 miles NE of Tower Junction on the road to the NE Entrance
Distance: 3.7 miles (5.9 km) roundtrip
Level of difficulty: Moderately strenuous
A moderate trail which starts at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area and rises up to the eastern lip of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, following the rim of the Canyon until reaching the Specimen Ridge Trail two miles from the picnic area. There are some spectacular views of the Canyon and River from this trail. Watch for ospreys and perhaps the occasional eagle soaring below and for wisps of steam issuing from steam vents near the bottom of the Canyon walls. Note the bright yellow tint of the Canyon walls. And keep a careful lookout for bighorn sheep, which are known to inhabit the area. (Some years ago, I rounded a corner without looking and almost tripped over one which was standing in the trail!)
YELLOWSTONE RIVER PICNIC AREA TRAIL
