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Artist Point-Point Sublime Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.2 (26)
  1. Areas
  2. WY
  3. …Northwestern Wyoming
  4. …Yellowstone National Park
  5. Canyon Village
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“A secluded trail renowned for its sensational canyon colors. ”

Tom Carter
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Map Key

1.3

Miles

2.2

KM

Point to Point

7,897' 2,407 m

High

7,673' 2,339 m

Low

410' 125 m

Up

247' 75 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

39%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views

Description

To reach Sublime Point, follow the main trail to Artist Point, but continue straight ahead where the trail to the point veers to the left and descends the stairs. Shortly after, the trail leaves the paved path and becomes a singletrack trail. You'll have company on the first 0.6 miles of this trail. After that, a steep 200-foot climb discourages all but serious hikers.

Approximately 0.6 miles beyond Artist Point, the trail to Ribbon Lake is passed. To reach Sublime Point continue straight along the rim trail another 0.7 miles to the trail's end. Here the colors fade and the trees begin to take over the canyon, but the canyon is deeper and stands well over 1,000 feet above the river.

Although it affords no views of the falls, this section of the rim trail is renowned for its sensational display of colors -- deep oranges and reds, pastel pinks and yellows. Hundreds of thousands of years before the canyon was formed, there existed here an ancient thermal basin. Geothermal springs weakened the rock and allowed this canyon to be cut. These springs are also responsible for the beautiful multi-hued rocks. The hot water dissolved subterranean minerals and brought them to the surface and chemically altered rhyolite lava into bright colors.

Thanks to guidebook author, Tom Carter, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about visiting Yellowstone, check out his book, Day Hiking Yellowstone.

Contacts

Local Club: Yellowstone Forever

Oct 12, 2024: The Science of Sound and Fear

Sep 28, 2024: Photography Courses in Yellowstone

Sep 20, 2024: Yellowstone Forever 2026 Calendar Photo Competition

Land Manager: National Park Service - Yellowstone National Park

Shared By:

Tom Carter
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 26 votes

#4

in Canyon Village

#339

Overall
  4.2 from 26 votes
5 Star
27%
4 Star
65%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#4

in Canyon Village

#16

in Wyoming

#339

Overall
4 Views Last Month
3,338 Since Sep 8, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
8%
8%
63%
8%
13%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Sep 10, 2015 near Canyon…, WY
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from Artist's Point.
May 18, 2016 near Canyon…, WY
Artist Point
Aug 5, 2020 near Canyon…, WY
Lower Yellowstone Falls from Artist's Point.
May 18, 2016 near Canyon…, WY
Double feature picture at Artist Point.
Sep 18, 2023 near Canyon…, WY
The colors of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon.
May 18, 2016 near Canyon…, WY

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Check-Ins

Jun 17, 2024
Anonymous
Aug 29, 2023
Kok L
Beautiful view of lower falls, Canyon downstream and the miners colors on the canyon walls. Quite easy hike with breathtaking views. One of our best 1.3mi — 18h 30m
Jul 29, 2023
Jordan Ciaramitaro
Oct 4, 2022
Molly M
Hiked to Sublime pt, and detoured to lilu pad pond on way back. 3.2 miles roundtrip. 1.6mi — 10h 30m
Sep 3, 2022
Dani D
Jun 10, 2022
Kirt Horn
Jun 9, 2022
Leah Walsh
0.6mi — 0h 30m
May 21, 2022
Tom Herr
Great hike above the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Snow covered trail with supreme effort to make it to Point Sublime. 1.3mi

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