Gibbon Falls ~ Yellowstone National Park

There are several scenic viewing areas in Yellowstone National Park that overlook rivers, cascades and waterfalls, which are a cool refreshing sights to see during the summer season. After doing some hiking, settling down for a picnic by a river or waterfall in this wilderness area is a fulfilling  thing to do. The sound of a gentle waterfall in the silence of the wide open spaces has a way of easing the mind into a meditative state, which most often leads to regaining clarity. For those who step into the wilderness to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city, the sound of a waterfall is like music to the ears!  

One of the most interesting overlooks in Yellowstone is Gibbon Falls. The easy to spot roadside signage marks the Gibbon Falls Trail between the Norris Geyser Basin and Madison Junction. There is ample parking and the trail is paved, so this overlook is accessible for those who have mobility challenges. The trail only stretches out for a few hundred yards, but there are several good viewpoints that offer opportunities to relax and take in the surroundings. At the end of the trail, there is a great panoramic view of the Gibbon River basin. Along the road a few hundred yards downstream is where the Gibbon Falls Picnic Area can be found, which is a great place to snack and take a little siesta. 

What makes Gibbon Falls so interesting is the gradual descent in elevation. The Gibbon River only drops about 80 feet over a distance of nearly 75 yards. This gradual descent allows the river to roll over the gentle downhill slope in a way that creates long opaque whitewater streaks over the black color bedrock background. The white water actually looks like hand painted white ribbons when viewing this unique waterfall from above, which truly is a captivating sight to behold! The white streaks of Gibbon Falls actually are so bold, that a camera with the shutter speed set to automatic mode will easily capture this natural whitewater ribbon visual effect.

The sound of the river water rolling down the gentle Gibbon Falls fills the air in this canyon with a sound that beckons silence from viewers. Many people here have a look on their face that suggests that the sound of this waterfall has lifted them to a higher level of some kind, because the audible effect is so dramatic. The healing power of the sound of waterfall truly a gift from Mother Nature and the Gibbon Falls Trail definitely offers this unique sensory experience!