Yellowstone National Park managers are temporarily closing access to the Inpsiration Point viewing area for the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone because crumbling stairs may pose a visitor safety hazard. (NPS photo)
Yellowstone National Park managers are temporarily closing access to the Inpsiration Point viewing area for the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone because crumbling stairs may pose a visitor safety hazard. (NPS photo)

From Staff Reports

Concerns over visitor safety have prompted officials at Yellowstone National Park to temporarily close a popular viewpoint.

Inspiration Point is a favorite spot along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from which many visitors view the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River.

The last two tiers of concrete stairs leading to the viewing platform and the platform itself have fallen into disrepair, according to a statement released Thursday by the park’s public affairs office.

Based on concerns over visitor safety, the lower section of steps and the viewing platform are temporarily closed.

Park staff members are assessing the damage and determining how to move forward with repair or replacement of the failed stairway and platform.

Park officials gave no estimate for when the area would reopen to visitors.

Contact Yellowstone Gate at 307-213-9818 or [email protected].