Hiking

Yellowstone Hiking

Hiking Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone National Park offers 2.2 million acres of exquisite wilds including geysers and geothermal areas, canyons, lakes and streams, mountains, and valleys. The park offers more than 1,100 miles of hiking trails that range in difficulty and terrain, making it truly a hiker’s paradise.

Hiking is a great way to both see and experience the park and feel the awe and inspiration created by Mother Nature. Visitors can best plan their excursions by packing a camera, binoculars, journal and sketchpad. Be sure to pick up a trail map and inquire about the latest weather and wildlife conditions before venturing into the area in which you want to hike.

Trail conditions may change suddenly and unexpectedly, and can include bear activity, rain or snow storms, high water, and fires. Hikers are encouraged to travel in small groups and carry water, a rain poncho, a warm hat, insect repellent, bear repellant, sunscreen, and a first aid kit. Remember, Yellowstone National Park is a protected wilderness site; hikers must be prepared for any situation.

Hikers should be realistic in their level of skill and endurance, and should research the elevation, length, and ruggedness of each trail that they intend to hike. Here are some day hikes for the park’s most popular regions:

Bay Bridge, Fishing Bridge & Yellowstone Lake – Easy hikes include Storm Point, Natural Bridge, Howard Eaton, and Pelican Valley. Moderate to extremely strenuous hikes include Elephant Back Mountain and Avalanche Peak.

Canyon Area – Easy hikes include Howard Eaton Trail, Cascade Lake, and Grebe Lake. Moderate to extremely strenuous hikes include Observation Peak, Seven Mile Hole, Mt. Washburn, and Washburn Spur Trail.

Gallatin Area – Moderate hikes include Daily Creek, Sky Rim, Black Butte, Specimen Creek, Crescent Lake and High Lake, Sportsman Lake, Bighorn Pass, and Fawn Pass.

Madison Area – Madison has two easy hikes — Harlequin and Two Ribbons Trail – and one moderate trail on Purple Mountain.

Mammoth Area – Mammoth area has six moderately strenuous hikes including Beaver Ponds Loop, Bunsen Peak, Lava Creek, Blacktail Deer Creek, Rescue Creek, and Sepulcher Mountain.

Norris Area –Norris area has many moderately strenuous hikes including Grizzly Lake, Ice Lake Trail, Wolf Lake Cut-off Trail, and Monument Geyser Basin. Easy to moderate hikes include Solfatara Creek, Cygnet Lakes Trail, and Artists Paintpots.

Old Faithful – Old Faithful’s strenuous hikes include Observation Point, Mallard Lakes, Mallard Creek, Mystic Falls, and the Divide. Moderate to easy hikes include the Howard Eaton Trail, Fairy Falls, Sentinel Meadows & Queen’s Laundry.

Tower Area – The Tower area hikes include moderate trails like Lost Lake, Garnet Hill, and Yellowstone River Picnic Area. Strenuous hikes include Hellroaring, Slough Creek, and Mt. Washburn.

Grant Village and West Thumb Area – Easy hikes in the Grant Village and West Thumb area include West Thumb Geyser Basin, Shoshone Lake, and Riddle Lake. Strenuous hikes include Duck Lake, Lake Overlook, Lewis River & Dogshead Lake.

If you would like a to visit these areas with a tour we recommend you consider the  ”2-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Wildlife Adventure,” or the “4-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Wildlife Adventure.”