Inspiration Point: YSNP

Inspiration Point is on the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park. The point may not seem inspiring because you can only see a sliver of Yellowstone Falls from Inspiration Point which was initially named Promontory Point in 1878. Still, it does jut out from the rest of the canyon wall to offer panoramic views up and down the deep, rugged canyon where earthquakes and tremors continue to reshape the area and are responsible for several visible landslides. You can either hike or drive up to Inspiration Point. The hike takes place on the North Rim Trail and the drive starts from the parking area just behind the point where you simply walk down a flight of stairs to inspiring views. The entire round trip is less than a 1/10 of a mile to Inspiration Point with 50 feet of elevation change. To get to the trailhead, from Canyon Junction where Norris Canyon Road and Grand Loop Road meet, drive east on North Rim Drive. Go 0.9 miles and turn left on a paved two-way road to Inspiration Point. After 2/3 of a mile the road ends at a parking area for Inspiration Point and the east end of North Rim Trail.