uncle tom's trail

I am absolutely love this trail! In my opinion, this is more strenuous than Mount Washburn! The view is awesome and double rainbows seem in every corner near the fall! A must do!

For me, it was so important that I got pictures from our trip to Yellowstone that truly captured the beauty of this area. Uncle Tom's Trail was incredibly picturesque all along the way!You pick the trail up off of the South Rim Trail on South Rim Drive. For the shortest hike, park at Uncle Tom's Point (bathroom facilities available). That way you can save your energy for the hike back. I agree with many of the other reviewers that you can do this trail. It's the hike back up the 328 stairs that is strenuous, but just stop and rest and enjoy the view. The steps are metal, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. The trail takes you into the canyon at lower falls. You will be amazed at the brilliant colors on the canyon walls, the power of the waterfall and the rainbows so close it looks like you can touch them.

I'm in terrible shape - but I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to photograph the Lower Falls from the bottom of this trail. The walk down is relatively easy - it's down after all. It's the walk back that requires lots of water and patience. For my husband, who is in excellent shape, he ran down and and back up - about 10 minutes each way. For me it took me 15 minutes down and 30 minutes back up - with many breaks. The view from the bottom is TOTALLY worth it though!! I wouldn't recommend going down unless you know you can make it back up. And if you are super afraid of heights, you may want to reconsider.The sound and intensity of the waterfall is amazing, and it's the perfect place to take photos of the waterfall. If the lighting is just right, the rainbows are amazing.

Uncle Tom's trail was the highlight of a week at Yellowstone National Park! The trail head is located in the Yellowstone Canyon area off of Artist Point Road. Park in the lot on Artist Point Road and follow the sign to Uncle Tom's Trail.The trip DOWN is a piece of cake and begins with a series of paved switchbacks that lead to a huge staircase secured to the side of the canyon. Could be frightening to someone with height issues. The view at the bottom is magnificent and offers a perfect view of the lower falls as well as the canyon. The trip UP is much more difficult but it is certainly manageable for someone with even a reasonable level of fitness. Just take your time. There are plenty of benches which allow for short or longer breaks... and the views are worth soaking in. My 68 year old mom and 69 year old aunt had no difficulty. The teenagers bounded up the 328 stairs like they were flat and I resented them for it.We waited to do this hike until the end of our week at Yellowstone- we were more acclimated to the altitude and I think it was a good decision.

Beautiful hike but you should be in reasonably good shape. The view is gorgeous, especially from the bottom. What always impresses me is the old ladders and steps that people 100 years ago (including women in long skirts) took. They also went right to the bottom of the falls.

It is quite a climb down to see the waterfall, but recommended for the view. Walking poles are recommended.

The trail was very steep but it is well built and there are benches to stop and rest. It is not a primitive hike. Once you see the falls it is all worth it. There are rainbows emanating from the falls and it is just beautiful!

This is one of the few trails where it's very easy to reach the view point. The challenge is climbing back the flight of 328 stairs. Yes, it does take a bit to climb that but nothing that you can't do (I am talking about people with no heart and breathing problems). But the views are worth it. The stairway in itself, so close to eh edge, is awesome (check the pics and you will know what I talking about).

This was a challenging trail and possibly not for those not keen on heights as the steps to the viewpoint are long and steep. It paid to follow the advice displayed and not to rush your ascent on return but was definitely worth the effort.

They made this sound much more difficult than it it. Yes, there are a lot of steps, but it is not a long distance. People of all sizes and shapes were doing it.

Steep concrete trail together with hundreds steps. Amazing view from different levels of trail. Not many enoying tourist who just makes a picture and goes back to the bus. One of the best views to the waterfall. Quite hard to go up but its worth the expirience.

Its an easy 328 Steps down but a very hard 328 steps back up haha. The reward once you get there is simply amazing. The waterfall is beautiful. Great photo opportunity once you get there.

while going down it was fun but while coming back ... ohhthere are benches where you can rest.Its beautiful and can see rainbow.

The open metal stairs at Uncle Tom's Trail reminded us of some other trails that we've taken in recent years. I always feel a little uneasy on that type of stairs, and there's plenty of it at Uncle Tom's Trail, but my desire to obtain a closer and lower view of the waterfall drove me to make the descent. Our efforts were rewarded with a double rainbow at the waterfall -- it was beautiful! If you can take the stairs down and back up, do it. Morning light is great!

What an amazing view of the falls! It's several steps down and those same several steps up. There are spots to stop and rest. I consider myself to be in good shape but I took advantage of the benches.