Uncle Tom’s Trail offers the best views of the Upper and Lower Falls. The trail itself is a steep route that descends 500ft down 328 metal steps to the base of the Lower Falls. The trail was constructed in 1898 by early park entrepreneur Uncle Tom Richardson, who would lead tourists down a series of trails and rope ladders for views of the falls and a picnic lunch. Sadly the rope ladders are now a thing of the past.
The park service once turned down an application to build an elevator here that would whisk tourists down to the canyon floor, though you may wish it had changed its mind as you make the tough return climb. Rangers lead a 1-mile stroll from here at 3pm, as well as a longer 3-mile walk at 9am. This is one of the region’s largest parking areas.
