Hikes and walks (55)
| Hike | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone | Look out across the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or take in the beauty of the Yellowstone River and its waterfalls. | 1 to 2 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail | Follow the rim of the Yellowstone River valley, enjoying views of bighorn sheep, the Narrows of the Yellowstone, Overhanging Cliff, and the towers of Tower Falls. | 2 to 3 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail | Hike to a high mountain meadow for a commanding view of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake and the distant Absaroka Mountains. | 1 to 3 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail | Stroll through a geyser basin of colorful hot springs and dormant lakeshore geysers situated on the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake. | 30 to 60 Minutes · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Trout Lake Trail | Enjoy a short hill climb through Douglas-fir forest to Trout Lake. | 1 to 2 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Storm Point Trail | Pass by Indian Pond and through a forest to the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Along the way, look for marmots in the rocky area near Storm Point. | 1 to 2 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Sepulcher Mountain Trail | Climb to the summit of Sepulcher Mountain while keeping an eye out for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and moose along the way. | 6 to 8 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Sentinel Meadows & Queen’s Laundry Trail | Follow the Firehole River and cross meadows until reaching a hydrothermal area. Look for the large sinter mounds of hot springs and the remains of the old, incomplete bathhouse. | 2 to 4 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Riddle Lake Trail | Hike through small mountain meadows and forests to the shores of a picturesque little lake. Look for elk in the meadows and for birds near the lake. | 2 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Ribbon Lake Trail | Take a stroll out to Ribbon Lake, also passing by Lily Pad and Clear lakes. | 3 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Pelican Valley Trail | Hike through forests, meadows, and a river valley, all of which are some of the best grizzly bear country in the lower 48 states. | 3 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Osprey Falls Trail | Walk along an old service road through meadows before descending into one of the deepest canyons in the park to see Osprey Falls plunge over the edge of an old lava flow. | 4 to 6 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Observation Point Trail | Head up switchbacks to a commanding view of the Upper Geyser Basin. | 1 to 3 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Observation Peak Trail | Hike to a high mountain peak for an outstanding view of the Yellowstone wilderness. | 5 to 6 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Norris Geyser Basin Trails | Norris Geyser Basin is one of the hottest and most acidic of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas. It is part of one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. Many hot springs and fumaroles here have temperatures above the boiling point (200ºF / 93ºC). | 30 to 90 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Natural Bridge Trail | Hike through a forest and along an old service road to a natural bridge, which was cut out of a cliff of rhyolite rock by Bridge Creek. | 1 to 2 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Mystic Falls Trail | Follow a lovely creek through mixed conifer forest to Mystic Falls, over which the Little Firehole River drops from the Madison Plateau. | 2 to 4 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Mud Volcano Trail | A loop trail leads you by turbulent pools of hot, muddy water; hillsides strewn with trees cooked by steam; strange odors; and a bizarre landscape, welcome to the Mud Volcano area. | 1 to 2 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Mount Washburn Spur Trail | A long hike from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and up the east side of Mount Washburn. | 8 to 10 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Trails | Wander around large travertine terraces, built by ever-shifting hot springs. | 30 to 90 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| Mallard Lake Trail | Cross the Firehole River, pass Pipeline Hot Springs, and climb rolling hills of partially-burned lodgepole pine and open, rocky areas to Mallard Lake. | 3 to 6 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Lost Lake Trail | Hike along a trail that offers views of Lost Lake, waterfowl, sagebrush hilltops, wildflowers, possibly beavers, and quite often black bears. | 1 to 2 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Lone Star Geyser Trail | Hike this pleasant, partially paved trail beside the Firehole River to Lone Star Geyser. | 2 to 3 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Lewis River Channel/Dogshead Trail | Hike through forest to the crystal-clear waters of the Lewis River Channel. Look for eagles and osprey fishing for trout in the shallow waters. | 5 to 8 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Howard Eaton Trail (Old Faithful Area) | Hike up a burned hill, continue through spruce-fir forest, and then down to Lone Star Geyser. | 3 to 5 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Howard Eaton Trail (Canyon Area) | Choose your destination on this trail that passes by four lakes, as you hike through forests, meadows, and marshes. | 5 to 6 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Hellroaring Trail | Descend down to the Yellowstone River, then continue on through a sagebrush plateau to Hellroaring Creek. | 3 to 5 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Harlequin Lake Trail | Follow the gentle, uphill trail to a small lake. | 30 to 60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Grebe Lake Trail | Hike along an old fire road through meadows and forest, some of which burned in 1988. | 3 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail | Hike up to an overlook of Grand Prismatic Spring. | 1 to 2 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Garnet Hill Trail | Follow a stagecoach route on a meadow journey around Garnet Hill. The full route cannot be hiked due to a trail washout refer to Backcountry Conditions report. | 4 to 5 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Elephant Back Mountain Trail | Hike to the top of this mountain for panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake and the surrounding area. | 2 to 3 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Duck Lake Trail | Climb a small hill for a view of Duck and Yellowstone lakes and the expanse of the 1988 fires that swept through this area. | 1 to 2 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| DeLacy Creek Trail | Hike along a forest’s edge and through open meadows to the shores of Yellowstone’s largest backcountry lake. Look for sandhill cranes, moose, and water birds. | 3 to 5 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Bunsen Peak Trail | Climb to the top of this igneous peak for panoramic views of Swan Lake Flats, the Gallatin Mountain Range, and the Mammoth Hot Springs area. | 2 to 3 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Avalanche Peak Trail | Experience one of the most strenuous day hikes in the park and be rewarded with stunning views of some of the park’s tallest and most remote alpine peaks. | 3 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Chittenden Road - Mount Washburn Trail | Head up the shortest route to the top of Mount Washburn where you can enjoy panoramic views and interpretive exhibits. | 3 to 5 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Slough Creek Trail | Follow a historic wagon trail that heads toward the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness beyond Yellowstone. | 2 to 5 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Wraith Falls Trail | Cross sagebrush meadows, marshland, and mixed conifer forest to the base of Wraith Falls on Lupine Creek. | 30 to 60 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| Seven Mile Hole Trail | Hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, enjoy views of Silver Cord Cascade, and then descend to Seven Mile Hole. | 5 to 8 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Purple Mountain Trail | Hike up Purple Mountain for panoramic views of the GIbbon and Madison Rivers. | 3 to 5 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Lava Creek Trail | Follow Lava Creek, seeing Undine Falls and the junction with Gardner River. | 2 to 3 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Rescue Creek Trail | Climb gradually through aspens and meadows, then descend through forests to sagebrush flats that lead to a footbridge across the Gardner River. | 4 to 6 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail | Starting at the Dunravenn Pass Trailhead you ascend Mount Washburn on a trail with spectacular views. The Mount Washburn Trail and trailhead parking lot at Dunraven Pass will close for improvements August 6-27, 2019. | 3 to 6 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Cascade Lake Trail | Hike through open meadows to Cascade Lake where wildflowers abound and wildlife is often seen. | 2 to 3 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Blacktail Deer Creek to Yellowstone River Trail | Follow Blacktail Deer Creek as it descends through rolling, grassy hills and Douglas-fir forest to a suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River. | 4 to 5 Hours · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Forces of the Northern Range Self-guided Trail | Follow this self-guided trail along a boardwalk that winds through the grassland of Yellowstone's northern range. | 30 to 60 Minutes · Spring, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Brink of the Lower Falls Trail | Descend to the brink of the Lower Falls on this steep trail to catch a glimpse of one of Yellowstone's greatest wonders. | Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Beaver Ponds Trail | Hike through forests, meadows of sage, and stands of Douglas-fir and aspen on your way to beaver ponds. You might see beavers or their sign, but you are more likely to see muskrats and water birds. | 2 to 5 Hours · All year · No pets |
| Specimen Ridge Day Hike Trail | Hike up to a ridge for magnificent views of Slough Creek Valley and the Absaroka Range. | 2 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Fountain Paint Pot Trail | Explore the four major types of hydrothermal features along this short, popular, boardwalk trail. | 30 to 45 Minutes · Winter, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Pelican Creek Nature Trail | Introduce yourself to a diverse assortment of Yellowstone habitats and look for birds while hike this loop trail through a forest to the shore of Yellowstone Lake. | 30 to 60 Minutes · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Fairy Falls Trail | Enjoy a hike to one of Yellowstone's most spectacular waterfalls. | 3 to 5 Hours · Winter, Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Fairy Falls Ski Trail | The Fairy Falls Ski Trail is a 10 mile (16 km) (with ski drop) skier-tracked, round-trip, easiest to more dificult ski that provides icy views of one of Yellowstone's most popular waterfalls. | 6 to 8 Hours · Winter · No pets · Reservation needed |
| Explore the Fort Yellowstone Historic District | From 1886 to 1918, the US Army managed Yellowstone National Park. Starting in 1890, the US Army constructed Fort Yellowstone as a more permanent base of operations. | 45 to 60 Minutes · All year · Pets OK |
Other things to do (33)
| Activity | What it is | Time, season, pets |
|---|---|---|
| Snow Pass Ski Trail | The Snow Pass Ski Trail is a 4.2 mile (6.76 km), skier-tracked, one-way, easiest to most-difficult, ski that takes skiers through a steep heavily forested area to a semi-flat wide open area with views of Swan Lake Flats. | 2 to 3 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Abandoned Railroad Bed Bike Trail | An abandoned railroad bed located near the north entrance of Yellowstone makes a beautiful bike trail. | 2 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · Pets with limits |
| Old Lake Road Bike Trail | The old roadbed near the lakeshore between Lake Hotel and where the roadbed joins the main road south of Lake Junction (1 mile) has a great views of the Yellowstone Lake. | 1 to 2 Hours · Summer, Fall · Pets OK |
| Old Faithful Lower General Store to Morning Glory Pool Bike Trail | The paved trail in front of Old Faithful Lodge runs all the way to Morning Glory Pool. Take this short, (2 mi. round-trip) fairly level, paved-path and make stops to see geysers. | 1 to 2 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Natural Bridge Bike Trail | The Natural Bridge bike trail is 2.5 mi (4km) round-trip ride and begins just south of the Bridge Bay marina off the Grand Loop Road. | 2 to 3 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Mount Washburn Bike Trail | Between Canyon Village and Tower Junction hardy cyclists can ride three miles to the top of Mount Washburn. Access is from the Chittenden Road parking area to the summit of Mount Washburn. | 2 to 5 Hours · Summer · No pets |
| Lone Star Geyser Bike Trail | The trailhead for Lone Star Geyser is east of Kepler Cascades pull-out, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of Old Faithful overpass on Grand Loop Road. | 2 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Fountain Freight Road Bike Trail | Six miles north of Old Faithful, bikes are allowed on the Fountain Freight Road, an old dirt and gravel road now closed to autos. | 2 to 4 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Bunsen Peak Loop Bike Trail | The Bunsen Peak Loop is a ten mi (16 km) bike trail that circles Bunsen Peak. | 4 to 6 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Riverside Bike Trail | Just inside the park's West Entrance, bicyclists can travel on the Riverside trail located just north of and paralleling the main Grand Loop Road. This trail gives access to a section of the Madison River. This is a fairly level trail and mountain bikes are recommended. | 1 to 2 Hours · Summer, Fall · No pets |
| Fawn Pass Ski Trail | The Fawn Pass Ski Trail is an 11 mile (17.7 km), one-way, more difficult ski trail that provides skiers with wide open views of the Gallatin Range. | 6 to 8 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Roller Coaster Ski Trail | The Roller Coaster Ski Trail is a more difficult 1.8 mile (2.9 km) roundtrip forested trail taking skiers on a rolling course with several steep drop-offs. | 1 to 2 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail | The Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail is a 2.0 mile (3.2 km) snowshoe only trail that treats visitors to unobstructed views of the Upper Geyser Basin and the Firehole River. | 1 to 2 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Riverside Ski Trail | The Riverside Ski Trail provides several easy options to ski along the Madison River and enjoy views of both the Gallatin and Madison mountain ranges. | 1 to 3 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Tower Fall Ski Trail | The Tower Fall Ski Trail is a 5.0 mile (8 km) round-trip easiest trail that allows skiers to enjoy canyon views of the Yellowstone River and Tower Fall. | 2 to 3 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Bighorn Pass Ski Trail | The Bighorn Pass Ski Trail provides a variety of options for skiers to experience the northwest area of Yellowstone National Park. | 8 to 10 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Black Butte Ski Trail | The Black Butte Ski Trail is a 14 mile (22.6 km) roundtrip ski that follows Black Butte Creek and offers mountain views. | 10 to 14 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Yancey's Hole Ski Trail | The Yancey's Hole Ski Trail is a 2.0 mile (3.2 km) easiest ski trail with rolling terrain and wide open views of the Yancey's Hole area. | 1 to 2 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Bannock Ski Trail | The Bannock Ski Trail is a 2 mile (3.2 km) easy ski that follows the old road bed that once used to supply the mining town of Cooke City, Montana. | 1 to 2 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Barronette Ski Trail | The Barronette Trail is an easy 3.5 mile (5.6 km) one-way section of the Old Cooke City road and winds through conifer forest. | 1 to 2 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail | The Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail is an easiest to more difficult 8 mile (12.8 km) one-way ski with two trailhead options. This trail travels open meadows and forests with great wildlife viewing opportunities in winter. | 2 to 3 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Chittenden Loop Ski Trail | The Chittenden Loop Ski Trail is an easiest to more difficult 5.3 mile (8.3 km) loop providing views of Mount Washburn on clear days. | 4 to 5 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Lost Lake Ski Trail | The Lost Lake Ski Trail is a 4 mile (6.4 km) easiest to more difficult one-way trail that takes skiers by Petrified Tree, Lost Lake, and Calcite Springs Overlook. | 3 to 4 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Mallard Lake Ski Trail | The Mallard Lake Ski Trail is a 6.8 mile (10.9 km) round-trip, skier-tracked, more difficult trail taking skiers on a steep climb to views of Mallard Lake. | 5 to 6 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| North Rim Ski Trail | The North Rim Ski Trail is a 3.0 (7.24 km), easiest to more difficult forested trail that takes skiers along the North Canyon Rim providing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. | 2 to 3 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Sheepeater Ski Trail | The Sheepeater Ski Trail is a skier-tracked, easy, one-way 5 mile (8 km) trail that provides scenic views of Swan Lake Flats. | 2 to 3 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Pebble Creek Ski Trail | The Pebble Creek Ski Trail is a 13 mile (21 km) most difficult, round-trip ski that offers skilled backcountry skiers challenging terrain and beautiful views. | 8 to 10 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Bighorn Loop Ski Trail | The Bighorn Loop Ski Trail is a 5.5 mile (8.85 km), easy to more difficult trail taking skiers on a loop through rolling terrain with outstanding winter landscape views. | 2 to 3 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Old Canyon Bridge Ski Trail | The Old Canyon Bridge Ski Trail is a flat 1 mile (1.6 km) easiest ski that provides skiers a short but beautiful way to see the Yellowstone River in winter. | 1 to 2 Hours · Winter · No pets · Reservation needed |
| Ride a snowmobile or snowcoach in Yellowstone | Get a taste of what snowmobiling or riding a snowcoach in Yellowstone is like. | Winter · No pets · Reservation needed · Fee |
| Watch Old Faithful Geyser Erupt | Old Faithful Geyser is the world's best known geyser. Its eruption intervals have varied from 40 to 126 minutes. Find out the eruption times of Old Faithful and other large geysers at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, following the @GeyserNPS twitter feed, or using the Geysers app. | 30 to 90 Minutes · All year · No pets |
| Canyon Rim Ski Trail | The Canyon Rim Ski Trail is a 4.5 mile (7.24 km), easiest to more difficult forested trail that takes skiers along the Canyon Rim providing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. | 2 to 3 Hours · Winter · No pets |
| Watch and Listen to a Geyser | Experiencing the sights and sounds of geysers is a feast for the senses, whether they erupt or are between eruptions. | 5 to 120 Minutes · All year · No pets |
Before you set out
Trail conditions change with snow, fire and storms. Check the park’s current alerts, carry the ten essentials and read know before you go.
Sources
- National Park Service: things to do in Yellowstone National Park (Data API, public domain)
Last checked 1 November 2026.