Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park Trails

Mammoth Hot Springs

Norris Hot Springs

Madison Junction

Old Faithful Geyser Basin

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Lake Village and Fishing Bridge

Canyon Village

Tower Junction

North East Entrance

Favorite Trails of Mine

Limited Days to see the Park

Varrious Water Falls in the Park

Canyon Village History

Other Yellowstone Links and Information

Parkee's Homepage

Yellowstone National Park Trails Some of my favorites

Union Falls only seen by taking an
eight mile hike into the backcountry

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Taking a hike in Yellowstone is a good way to see the park and to get out of the car for a while since one spends so much time in the car getting from location to location.

One thing to remember is that the roads were designed to go past most of the major sites and that some of the best hikes in the park are right around the developed areas. So don't think that you need to go hiking right around the developed areas. Two places that I can think of right off hand is hike the Canyon Rim and take a hike (walk) down to Morning Glory Pool.

The trails are listed in order by locations and this list is by no means complete.

Remember that some of the things that you need to have for any hike in Yellowstone are

  • Sturdy Shoes or hiking boots.
  • Water minmium of a quart
  • Food
  • Rain Gear
  • Matches
  • Extra Clothes
  • Map and Compass
  • Camera (optional)
  • Bug Spray
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses

    Hikes at Mammoth

    As with all hikes in Yellowstone make sure that you have plenty of water, some warm clothes, rain gear and a map.

  • Osprey Falls Hike - This is a one and a half mile hike down to Osprey Falls. To get the trail head go to the Bunsen Peak Road hike 2.5 miles along the road or if you have a bike you can bike to the trail that begins a decent down to Osprey Falls.

  • Beaver Ponds - This is a 5 mile hike through the grasslands and through the forest. This trail also goes by a lake that was formed by a beaver dam. This trail is one of the few loops in the park. The best place to begin is by going behind the hotel and hiking up the road down to Gardiner and looking for a trail head register off to your left as you go down the road. It trail then will end near Liberty Cap.

  • Sepulcher Mountain - This is a 10 - 12 mile trail which can be made into a loop if so desired. The trail starts at the Bunsen Peak Road on the West side of the road. The trail begins by climbing Sepulcher Mountain with Electric Peak in the background. One reaching the top of Sepulcher Mountain it begins the decent down where you can see into Jardine and Gardiner MT this is where the trail goes into the forest that is almost tropical. The trail then ends at Liberty Cap but by following the Howard Eaton Trail you can hook back up to the Glen Creek Trail to get back to the Bunsen Peak Trail head.

  • Electric Peak - This is a 25 mile hike that has a great view but one must be a very good map reader and definately have a compass with them and know how to use it. The trail head is at near the Bunsen Peak Road on the West side of the road. For more information reguarding this hike talk to the rangers at the Visitor Center or read some of the varrious hiking books sold in Yellowstone.

    Hikes near Norris

  • Norris Geyser Basin - This is must hike or a walk because of the natural features that you see along the way and the opportunity to see many different geysers going off on their own time schedual not mans.
  • Artist Paint Pots - This group of hot springs and mud pots is located about 4 miles south of Norris Geyser Basin and is well worth seeing.
  • Ice Lake - Ice Lake offers a short hike 1/2 mile to the lake. This is where one of the only Handicaped backcountry sites in the park is located and yes it is wheelchair accessible. There is fishing here as well.
  • Greebe Lake - This is a famous place for fishing for grayling. It is a 4 mile hike one way into the lake but is an easy flat hike with very little elevation gain. This lake use to house one of the hatcherys that use to be located in Yellowstone. It is also a good place to camp overnight providing that you obtain your backcountry permit from any ranger station.
  • Cascade Lake - This is almost a loop trail that can be started either 1/2 mile north or 1/2 mile west of Canyon Junction. It is 2 1/2 miles to the lake either way and is fairly flat. Many types of animals can be seen but beware of bears as they can be common in the general area.

    Hikes in the Madison Area.

  • Purple Mountain - This is a fairly strenous hike in that it is up the mountain for 1.5 miles with a 1500 foot climb. The trail head is about 1/4 mile north of Madison Junction.
  • Mary Mountain Trail - This is my favorite hike but I do not recommend it to most people because it is a long trail 25 miles with no campsites along the way for me it takes at least 10 to 12 hours to cover that distance and I hike quite a bit. This trail is closed quite a bit because of Bears and I do not suggest hiking with fewer then 4 people and each person needs to be very sure of them selves and know what to do if bears are encountered as I have seen many bears on this trail some at close range 100 feet or less. One also needs to have two cars to complete this hike the way I like to do it. It starts just North of the Nez Perce Creek at Porcupine Hills. Here it follows the old main road (abandoned in the 1890's) it goes through the trees and meadows where the meadows can be quite wet in the spring and in the summer mosquitoes can be quite bad. Then when the trail get to Mary Mountain there is a steep climb named Devils Stair Case. When the stage coaches went this way the passengers had to get out and walk. Well on one occation a US Senator started to walk up Devils Stair Case and had a heart attack and died. But the top you get to Mary Lake where is a patrol cabin. Then you continue down in to Hayden Valley. Bewear of the bison this are not the same ones that you see by the road these are the ones that take more control of their territorty and can charge so give them plenty of room. They can run up to 35 mph and I have see them do this as a herd in Hayden Valley. I have also be surrounded by the bison here so stay near the trees. At this point the trail is hard to follow due to the number of bison in the valley making their own trails and the fact that the bison knock down the trail signs. One time each time I found the trail I found a bear. Violet Hot Springs are just off the trail to the North and can be easily found. Then it is just a long walk back to road through the wide open meadow of Hayden Valley.
  • Fountain Flats Trail to the Fairy Falls trailhead - To get to the trail head drive down The Fountain Flats Freight Road until it ends. Here park your car and continue down the dirt road for about 1 1/2 mils where you will come to the Fairy Falls trail. This trail then is 1.5 miles until you get to Fairy Falls which is a 197 feet high. This is a fairly level hike which can take about 3 to 4 hours.

    Hikes in the Old Faithful Area

  • Morning Glory Pool - Now most people would not consider this a hike but considering that it is 1.5 miles to Morning Glory Pool it is a good flat 3 mile hike round trip. This is a must do because along the way you can see Castle Geyser, Riverside Geyser, Daisy Geyser, and Grand Geyser and if you started at the Visitor Center Old Faithful Geyser as well so you see all of the geysers that I recommend seeing while at Old Faithful.

  • Observation Point - This is a short hike of 1/2 of a mile. The only thing with this hike is that it is up hill a good climb but the view from the top is great. It starts a long the back side of Old Faithful Geyser. Once on top of the hillside you can really see the Old Faithful complex as well if you plan your hike accordenly you can watch Old Faithful Geyser go off from here. Located up here is also Solitary Geyser which use to be Solitary Spring until it was used as a hot water source to fill one of the two pools that were once located in Yellowstone (the other one was at Mammoth Hot Springs).

  • Mallard Lake - Mallard Lake trail is a favorite with many of the employees at Old Faithful because of the beauty that is offered on the hike though this area did suffer from the 1988 fires and quite a bit around the area did burn. The best place to start this hike is from behind the Old Faithful Lodge Cabins. Here the trail starts by crossing the Firehole River and proceeds to climb the plateau. You travel through the lodgepole forest with intermitting meadows now created by the 1988 fires notice the amount of new tree growth which the fires help plant. The lake is a great site to stay at as a short overnight trip. But beware one needs to bring insect repellant as the bugs can be bad here.

  • Lonestar Geyser - This is a very easy walk or can be a ride if you wish to use your bike. The trail begins at Kepler Cascades and proceeds down a dirt road which is now closed to vehicler traffic. The road then turns back to asphalt and follows along the Firehole River through the lodgepole pine and varrious meadows. The area around here was not effected by the Fires of 1988 and this can be a very enjoyable 5 mile round trip hike.

  • Mystic Falls - This is a short 1/2 mile hike to the base of Mystic Falls. To access the trail head go to Biscuit Basin Geyser Basin and in the back part of the basin there will be a trail head sign in and follow the trail to the falls. For a longer hike one can go to the Biscuit Basin Overlook which adds about 4 miles to the trip plus going up the hill side which is about a 500 foot climb.

  • Fairy Falls - To get to the trail head drive down The Fountain Flats Freight Road until it ends. Here park your car and continue down the dirt road for about 1 1/2 mils where you will come to the Fairy Falls trail. This trail then is 1.5 miles until you get to Fairy Falls which is a 197 feet high. This is a fairly level hike which can take about 3 to 4 hours. You can also get to another trail head by stating at the other end of the freight road which is located just south of the Midway Geyser Basin.

    Hikes in the West Thumb Area

  • Shoshone Lake - The Quickest and shortest way to Shoshone Lake is via the Delacy Creek trail. The trailhead is between West Thumb and Old Faithful. The trail is relativity flat and is only three miles one way. I have seen many different type of birds on the trail as well as seeing a moose each time that I have been back there.
  • Heart Lake - This is an eight mile trail one way to Heart Lake. The trail head is south of Grant Village. The first five miles are relatively flat but the last three miles as you go along witch creek it gets fairly steep. This trail leads to Heart Lake and Rustic Geyser Basin. This is where Everts spent quite a bit of time before he decided to head out since his party was not going to find him in 1871, and he spent 37 days wandering Yellowstone with no food or matches all he had was the clothes on this back and an opera glass his horse took the rest. This hike is a good overnight spot as then you can climb Mt. Sherdian which is another 8 mile round trip hike. The trail does not open until July 1 each year to allow the bears access to the spawning fish in Heart Lake. Remember that there is no wading in Witch Creek because it is entirely of thermal origan and you can only wade in water where the hot water meets cold water.
  • Riddle Lake - Riddle Lake is a five mile round trip hike back to a lake where when it was named they were not sure which way the lake drained was it to the Alantic or Pacific Ocean? This is a realativity flat hike it is closed in early summer due to bears in the general area.
  • South Boundry Trail - This trail starts south of the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. You have to ford the Snake River so that this hike can not realy take place unitl after mid July. But the trail pretty much follows the souther boundry of Yellowstone National Park. I have been on a short portion of the trail but that has been a couple of years ago. But the trail will meet up with a trail that will take you to Heart Lake so if you have two cars you can make that a loop trail.

    Hikes in the Lake Area.

  • Natural Bridge - This trail starts at the end of Gull Point Drive just on the other side of the Marina. This is a one mile one way hike. See above for details of natural brige.
  • Elephant Back - This is a great hike it that it climbs about 800 feet in the 3 mile lenght of the trail. I recommend that you go to the right when the trail splits because the climb is less steep. On top it gives you a great view of Yellowstone Lake, Lake Lodge and Yellowstone Lake Hotel. This is a favorite among the employees because it makes the employees who smoke want to give up smoking because they are just huffing and puffing.
  • Storm Point - This three mile trail starts at Indian Pond (was orginally called Squaw Lake). This trail is relitivity flat. It takes you out to Yellowstone Lake and provides one with varried terrain out to the lake. I think that this hike is like walking on a golf course because of the sand traps (bison wallows), the holes (yellowbellied marromot burrows) and tuffs of grass and the water trap (Yellowstone Lake).
  • Avalanche Peak - This is a great hike. The trailhead starts near Elanor Lake on the way to Sylvan Pass. This is a 4 mile round trip hike. Which takes about four hours. Two hour to climb the 2000 or so feet to the top half an hour to see the sights and an hour and half to get back down. The trail begins through dense lodgepole pines then opens up in to the bowl of Avalanche Peak and climbs through the shale to the summit. From on top one can see the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone Lake, Mt Sherdian and Mount Washburn. If you have the time I would recommed this hike but plan accordenly due to the road construction on the Lake to East Entrance Road.

    Hikes in the Canyon Area.

  • North Rim Trail - To best start this tail park at Glacier Bouler walk down the road to inspiration point and pick up the trail there. The trail follows the North Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It passes by Grand View, Lookout Point and Red Rocks Trail, takes you part way down Brink of the Lower Falls, over the top of Crystal Falls, the Brink of the Upper Falls, over Canyon Bridge and ends at the Chittenden Memorial Bridge where the South Rim Trail begins.
  • South Rim Trail - The best place to park here is at the Wapiti Picnic area just after crossing the Chittenden Memorial Bridge. The trail follows the Yellowstone River down stream. It passes Uncle Toms view point of the Upper Falls, Uncle Toms Trail into the Canyon, by an osprey next, and ends with the classic view of Lower Falls at Artist Point.
  • Silver Cord Cascade - The Trail to Silver Cord Cascade trail begins at Glacier Boulder on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The trail is the Howard Eaton trail and the cascades are about 1 mile down the trail. These cascades plunge about 1500 feet from the canyon rim to the Yellowstone River.
  • Seven Mile Hole - The start of the trail is at Glacier Boulder. The trail follows the Howard Eaton trail for about three miles then starts the two mile decent into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Along this trail you see Silver Cord Cascade and on the decent thermal features. Make sure that you have plenty of water for the return trip. We Rangers like to say five miles down 35 miles back out. It is named Seven Mile Hole bacause it was seven miles from the Ranger Station that was situated at the Brink of the Upper Falls.
  • Ribbon Lake - The starting point for Ribbon Lake is best at Artist Point. Go to see the Falls but stay on the mountain side and the trail is at the far corner of the lower viewing platform. This is only about a 1 to 2 mile hike back to Ribbon Lake and is a nice hike. This is also where Silver Cord Cascades makes it's plunge into the Yellowstone River. It can be made into a loop hike by following the signs to Clear Lake then to Wapiti Picnic area then on the South Rim Trail to Artist Point.
  • Clear Lake - The best starting place for the Clear Lake trail is at Uncle Toms Parking area but can also be started at the Wapiti Picnic area and Artist Point. This is about a 2 mile trail back to Clear Lake. Along the trail are a few mud pots so be sure and stay on the trail when going past these thermal features.
  • Mary Mountain Trail - The Mary Mountain trail starts at the Northern end of Hayden Valley. this trail is mostly through the sage lands of Hayden Valley but at the far end of the valley it does get into the lodgepole pine trees. The trail is a lot of going up and down across the small hills. In the early summer the trail can be quite wet and hard to follow since the bison use this area quite a bit and make numerous game trail. One always needs to be on the watch for bears as they prefer this type of habitat. But for the most part bears are not seen much on this trail. Other hazards include what I call Floating Grass. This is grass that when first walked on feels like you are walking on a water bed then all of a sudden gives way and you are up to your armpits in a sinkhole. These areas can be quite dangerous so do not leave the trail.
  • Cascade Lake - The Cascasde Lake trail can either be started about 1/2 mile west or 1/2 mile north of Canyon Junction. This is a flat 2.5 mile hike one way back to cascade lake. This is a great trail to possibily see elk and deer but beware that bears are always in the area and to be alert at all times. This is a great flat trail so everyone can do it.
  • Greebe Lake - To get Back to Greege Lake you could start at Cascade Lake Trail head but will be much shorter if started between Norris and Canyon (look for the sign). This then is a 3.5 to 4 mile hike back to Grebe Lake on an old service road that was used when there was a fish hatchery located here. Today it is famous for the Grayling fishing This is the best place in Yellowstone to catch grayling. It too is a flat hike as well.
  • Mount Washburn - The best starting point for Mount Washburn is either at the Chittenden Road or at Dunraven Pass. Here the trail is about 3 miles one way with a 2000 foot climb. For most people the hike is done in 4 to 5 hours. On the hike many different types of alpine plants and flowers can be seen and there is always a good chance of spotting the bighorn sheep that are on the mountain during the summer months. This is one of the three manned lookout towers located in Yellowstone National Park but this is one of the most accessable mountains in the park. Even President Clinton, Hillary and Chelsey went up there in 1996.

    Hikes in the Tower Area.

  • Lost Falls - This is a short 1/4 mile hike one way just behind the Roosevelt lodge.
  • Tower Falls - This is another short hike of about 1 mile which takes you to the bottom of the falls. Then at the bottom you can see where the Bannock Ford was located just upstream on the Yellowstone River.
  • Yellowstone River Trail - This is a 4 mile loop trail. You start in the Yellowstone Picnic area where the trail follows along the rim of the Yellowstone Canyon upstream. Where you meet up with the Specimen Ridge Trail and you follow that back to the road where then you follow the road back to you vehicle.
  • Hellroaring Trail - This is both a scenic trail but it can be very challenging due to the 600 foot climb up at the end. In early June one can see Elk, Moose, Bison, Mule Deer and even Bighorn Sheep along the trail. It is one mile from the trail head where the Yellowstone River is crossed using a suspension bridge. Then opens up in the meadows where the trail meets up with Hellroaring Creek. The creek is crossed using a bridge located 1 1/2 miles upstream. This trail then joins the Yellowstone River Trail which leads to Gardiner MT. If you start at the Hellroaring Trailhead to Gardiner MT. it is 21.5 miles but you can make it as shorter hike by coming out the Blacktail Trailhead.
  • Garnett Loop Trail - This is a fairly flat 7 mile loop trail which starts at the Ranger Station and takes you down the stagecoach road to the cookout area. The trail then continues down Elk Creek goes around Garnnet Hill and follows the Yellowstone River upstream to the open meadows where then it comes out on the road to Lamar Valley then it is a short hike back to the vehicle. You can also make a short side trip to the suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River.
  • Slough Creek Trail - (Slew Creek) - This is a very popular trail that many fisherman use to get to the excellent fishing in Slough Creek. This trail starts about 1/2 mile before yo get to the campground. The trail is on a wagon road used by the Silver Tip Ranch located just north of the park boundry. The first mile and half the trail (wagon road) climbs about 600 feet then drops in to the First Meadow of Slough Creek. From here to the boundry the trail is rather flat so that it makes for easy walking.
  • Specimen Ridge Trail - This is a trail that has some of the best views but do to the location and that there are not any campsites along the trail it is also one of the least used trails in the park. Now in some respect that is good but since it goes through large meadows the trail can not be easily found at times. So you need to have a map and compass and know how to use them. This trail starts about 2 miles from Tower Junction and ended up 18 miles later at the Lamar Trailhead.
  • Blacktail Deer Creek Trail - This is a popular trail used mostly in the early summer months when the rest of the park is under snow. The trail is half way between Mammoth and Tower Junction on the north side of the road. The first 4 miles of trail is through the open meadows where then it drops down to the Yellowstone River. Once on the other side via a bridge if you go upstream it will take you to Hellroaring Creek. If you go downstream it will take you to Crevice Lake then to Knowles Falls a 15 foot high waterfall on the Yellowstone River. Then the last part is through what I would consider the desert. It does follow the Yellowstone River but there is not much plant life and it can get quite hot in the afternoon. So you need to take atleast 2 quarts of water with you. But the trail does end up at the K-Bar for pizza and a cold beverage of choice in the town of Gardiner. That of course that is 14 miles away from the trailhead.

    Hikes in the Northeast Entrance.

  • Pebble Creek - This is a great trail to take in the Northeast Corner of the park. The trail either starts at Pebble Creek Campground or at Warm Springs. I prefer this trail head. It starts with a good healthy climb of about 1200 feet but once you get over the hill it is all down hill from there. Then you travel down Pebble Creek crossing it 7 different times. So you can expect to get your feet wet. This trail also will lead to the Bliss Pass trail which goes over Bliss Pass and leads to Slough Creek.
  • Cache Creek - This trail starts at the Lamar River Trail head and follows the Lamar River Trail for about two miles where it then splits off up Cache Creek. This trail then leads to Wahb Springs then can be combined with the Thunder for a loop hike.
  • Lamar River Trail - The Lamar River Trail starts near Soda Butte in Lamar Valley. This trail follows up the Lamar River with numerous trails going off of it. This is a good place for horses to go in that there is alot of country to travel. If one wants a good 4 tto 5 day trip this is the place to do it for the most part.
  • Specimen Ridge Trail - This is a 17 mile trail that starts near Tower Junction and ends up at he Lamar River Trail. This hike takes one up on Specimen Ridge though no peterfied trees can be found along this trail. There are no campsites so it has to be a day hike. One thing is that plenty of water should be taken and a map and compass and a knowlege of how to use them together . As this is an easy place to get going the wrong direction and not be able to find the trail. The 1988 fires burned up the grasses in the area allowing the animals to start making new trails which in some cases are better then the main trail. This trail though has some great views once you are on the ridge.

    David Rothenburger Remember...
    • To stop at a Visitor Center or Ranger Station to find out current trail conditions and trail closures.
    • Beaware of your surroundings at all times you never know when a bear will be on the trail.
    • If you become lost try to back track if you can't back track sit down and take a deep breath and think hard on how you got where you are now. And take approprate action.
    • Remember to boil, filter or purfy your water before drinking it from the streams.
    • Stay on the trails expecially through thermal areas because it is the safest way through the area and then one does not get hurt or lost as easily.
    • To enjoy your self as you are seeing sights not seen by many other visitors.

    Yellowstone National Park
    PO Box 168
    Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
    307-344-7381

    Entire contents & copy;1997 David Rothenburger (Parkee@GoMontana.com).

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