Obsidian Cliff
This cliff exposes a rhyolite lava flow that hardened partly into obsidian, a type of volcanic glass.
Plan Around Obsidian Cliff
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Obsidian Cliff Details
This cliff -- up to 200 feet high in spots -- exposes a rhyolite lava flow that hardened partly into obsidian, a type of volcanic glass. The obsidian is found mostly toward the bottom of the clip and was prized by Native American tribes that used the hard material to make knives, arrow and spear tips, and other sharp tools.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris
Nearby Parks Around Obsidian Cliff
Compare nearby parks around Obsidian Cliff when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Obsidian Cliff
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Obsidian Cliff while the map context is still fresh.
0.9 mi away
Beaver Lake
Located 7.3 miles north of Norris Junction on the Norris to Mammoth Road.
1.3 mi away
Apollinaris Spring
Located 9.7 miles north of Norris Junction on the Norris to Mammoth Road.
3.2 mi away
Roaring Mountain
Not so much an actual mountain as it is a thermal feature.
3.4 mi away
North Twin Lake
The northern member of the pair, its water comes from spring and runoff from nearby geyser activity.
3.7 mi away
South Twin Lake
The southern member of the pair, its water comes from spring and runoff from nearby geyser activity.
