Overhanging Cliff

The Overhanging Cliff is a basalt formation in Yellowstone that rises prominently above the Grand Loop Road near Tower Fall. Its vertical columns of rock extend outward from the cliff face, creating the distinctive overhang that gives the formation its name.

David Folsom named this formation in 1869 during his exploration of the Yellowstone region. The basalt columns that create the overhang formed through volcanic activity spanning millions of years.

Native American peoples used this cliff as a landmark within their hunting grounds and travel routes across the region. The formation became a reference point in a landscape they knew and traveled through regularly.

The formation is best viewed from designated pullouts along the Grand Loop Road, which provide safe stopping points. These marked areas offer clear views of the cliff and allow you to see the basalt columns from different angles.

The structure of this cliff creates a geographical phenomenon where topographic contour lines intersect in an unusual way. This rare feature makes it a distinctive example of such geological intersections in the region.