Hiking in Yellowstone is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of the park! Sure, you can see a lot from the road, but getting out and surrounding yourself in geysers and lodgepole pines takes the experience to a whole new level!
There are over 1,000 miles of trails in the park, but no matter your previous hiking experience, you can find a trail that fits your abilities! Whether it’s a flat boardwalk, an easy trail to an epic waterfall, or a challenging climb to the top of Mt. Washburn, this guide will help you find the perfect trail for your trip!
This is your ultimate guide to hiking in Yellowstone!
11 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
Easy Hikes
Fairy Falls Trail
This easy trail is one of the most popular trails in the park, and for good reason! It’s an incredibly easy trail that is almost completely flat, leading to a 200 ft. waterfall! The parking lot at the trailhead fills up quickly, but there is overflow parking just South of the parking lot. But get there early, because even the overflow parking fills up by midday!
Distance: 4.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 170 ft.
Best Time of Day: Morning or evening
Trailhead Location: Fairy Falls Parking Lot, just south of the Grand Prismatic
Why This Trail is Great: Just about anyone can do it! The trail itself is very peaceful and the waterfall at the end is amazing!
Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
Sharing the beginning of the Fairy Falls Trail, this detour overlooking the Grand Prismatic Spring is a must-see! You gain a few hundred feet of elevation, giving you a perfect view overlooking the largest hot spring in the United States. It’s a very popular spot, so expect to wait at the viewpoint for a spot to open up.
Distance: 1.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 200 ft.
Best Time of Day: Midday
Trailhead Location: Fairy Falls Parking Lot
Why This Trail is Great: This short trail gives you an over-head view of the Grand Prismatic, a unique view of this spring
Mystic Falls Trail
Another easy waterfall hike, the Mystic Falls Trail begins in the Biscuit Basin in the southwest of the park. This trail takes you through a beautiful forest and into the mountains. This trail is quite popular and the parking lot tends to be busy and full in the afternoon.
Distance: 2.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 147 ft.
Best Time of Day: Anytime
Trailhead Location: Biscuit Basin
Why This Trail is Great: The beautiful waterfall and easy trail make this a great trail for all hikers
Norris Geyser Basin Loop
Located on the west side of Yellowstone, this geyser basin is home to the world’s tallest geyser, Steamboat Geyser. This basin is easily accessed by a series of boardwalks that take you through geysers and hot springs. You can walk the full loop or just a portion, whatever you’re up for!
Distance: 3 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 190 ft.
Best Time of Day: Morning
Trailhead Location: Norris Geyser Basin Parking Lot
Why This Trail is Great: Epic geysers and beautiful hot springs, all easily accessed via boardwalk trails
Moderate Hikes
Old Faithful Observation Point Loop
The Upper Geyser Basin is home to the world’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful. This trail will lead you through the entire geyser basin on a boardwalk, making it easy for just about anyone to access. The trail includes a short hike to a viewpoint overlooking Old Faithful. You can omit this part of the trail for an easy hike.
Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 357 ft.
Best Time of Day: Anytime
Trailhead Location: Old Faithful Parking Lodge
Why This Trail is Great: The observation point gives you a unique viewpoint overlooking Old Faithful and the other geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin
Lone Star Geyser Trail
This backcountry geyser erupts up to 45 ft. approximately every 3 hours. It is accessed via a partially paved trail through Yellowstone’s beautiful forests. You can hike or bike, though cyclists must walk by foot on the last few hundred feet.
Distance: 5.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 127
Best Time of Day: Anytime
Trailhead Location: Lone Star Trailhead OK1, located just off of the Lower Loop on the southwest of the park
Why This Trail is Great: The geyser at the end
Trout Lake Loop
Located east of the Lamar Valley, this short hike loops around Trout Lake with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. This is also one of the few hiking ceremony locations in the park, making it a great option for eloping couples wanting to add a hike to their day.
Distance: 1.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 209 ft.
Best Time of Day: Anytime
Trailhead Location: Trout Lake Trailhead Pullout on the NE Entrance Road
Why This Trail is Great: The beautiful mountain views surrounding the lake
Red Point Trail
Descending into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, this paved and boardwalk trail gives you an epic view of the Lower Falls. This trail has a long stretch of stairs, but it’s worth it for the view!
Distance: 0.7 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 259 ft.
Best Time of Day: Morning or evening
Trailhead Location: Lookout Point
Why This Trail is Great: The amazing views of the canyon and the Lower Falls make this trail one of the best locations in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Hard Hikes
Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn
This trail will take you to the peak of Mount Washburn, a 10,219 ft. tall mountain. This mountain hike is a popular trail for adventurous hikers, as it offers some of the best views of the surrounding rocky mountains!
Distance: 6.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,394 ft.
Best Time of Day: Morning
Trailhead Location: One the east side of the park, just off of the Grand Loop Road
Why This Trail is Great: The epic views at the top and the high you get from summiting a mountain
Avalanche Peak Trail
This strenuous hike climbs to the top of Avalanche Peak, a 10,568 ft. tall mountain on the border of Yellowstone and the North Absaroka Wilderness. Note that this trail typically still has snow until early July. This trail is rocky with a steep ascent.
Distance: 4.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,100 ft.
Best Time of Day: Morning
Trailhead Location: Eleanor Lake Parking Lot on Highway 14 on the east end of the park
Why This Trail is Great: The epic mountain views at the top
What You Need to Know Before Hiking in Yellowstone
While hiking can be an easy way to enjoy nature, there are still a few things you should know before venturing out into Yellowstone’s wilderness. It’s always best to do your research before you get to the trail so you know what to expect and can plan appropriately.
Wildlife Safety While Hiking
Yellowstone is home to 67 different mammal species, including bears, cougars, buffalo, and wolves. While most visitors hope to spot these animals while visiting, running into an animal like a bear while out hiking can be very dangerous. Knowing how to stay safe in case of an encounter is important, especially since your odds of running to wildlife are so high in Yellowstone.
Yellowstone rules to protect you and the wildlife:
- Never approach wildlife
- Stay on boardwalks and trails at all times
- Never feed the wildlife
- Never park in the road or block traffic
You can read more about wildlife safety on the Yellowstone National Park website.
Common Questions About Hiking in Yellowstone
Do you have to hike to get good views?
No! Yellowstone has easily accessible views of mountains, geysers, and wildlife for everyone! The trails in the park range from easy boardwalks to pull outs along the road to strenuous mountain hikes. You can find any kind of adventure you’re up for!
What’s the best time of year for hiking in Yellowstone?
July and August provide the best weather in Yellowstone, with dry and warm temperatures, making them the best time of year for hiking in the park. June and September can be good as well, but there’s still a chance of snow closures at those times of year.
Do You Need a Permit to Hike in Yellowstone?
Nope! The only time you would need a permit for hiking is if you plan on backpacking overnight. Otherwise, you don’t need a permit of any kind for day hiking.
Is is Safe to Hike Alone in Yellowstone?
Hiking alone in Yellowstone can be dangerous and is never recommended. Animals like bears and cougars are found throughout the park, and it’s safest to hike in groups of three or more people.
How to Avoid Crowds in Yellowstone?
If you’re visiting Yellowstone during the peak summer season, crowds will be at their highest. The best way to avoid crowds is to hike early in the morning, late in the evening, or choose a longer trail (most visitors don’t hike more than 3-5 miles).
The best way to avoid crowds is to visit in the off season! The vast majority of Yellowstone’s visitors come in July through early August. Late Spring and early Autumn are also a great time for spotting wildlife.
How much time do you need to explore Yellowstone?
Yellowstone is big. Like really, really big! I recommend a minimum of 2 full days inside the park to see the highlights of both the upper and lower loop. If you really want to explore the park and see all that it has to offer I would recommend 4-6 days.
Which Yellowstone entrance is best for hiking?
That really depends on where you want to hike! Some of my personal favorite hikes in the park are on the West side, so the West Entrance would be my recommendation, but it depends on where you want to hike and where you’re coming from.
Do you really need bear spray?
Yes. There are over 1,000 bears in the Yellowstone area, with at least 150 of them residing within the park itself. It’s not rare to run into bears in Yellowstone, especially if you’re going to be hiking. Bear spray is cheap insurance and is always good to have on you (and easily accessible!) when hiking in bear country.
Yellowstone Hiking Gear
Not sure what you need to go hiking in Yellowstone? Don’t worry, I’ve got you!
Hiking Boots
A good pair of hiking boots or trail runners is an essential for having fun and staying safe outdoors. Even if you don’t have a pair of hiking boots, make sure you wear your most comfortable walking shoes with good traction.
Clothing Layers
Because Yellowstone is high in the mountains at 6,000-8,000 ft., the weather can be unpredictable and change quickly. It’s best to bring layers and come prepared for everything from hot and sunny to cold and rainy.
Sun protection
It’s always good to bring protection from the sun. This includes sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
Snacks
Hiking takes a lot of energy, so don’t forget to bring along some snacks! Make sure you clean up after yourselves and never feed the wildlife (it can be fatal to the animals and could put you in danger).
Bear Spray
Even if you don’t plan on doing any big hikes deep into the backcountry, it’s always best to carry bear spray when out in bear country. If you don’t want to buy your own bear spray (and I don’t blame you when it costs an average of $40 per can!), you can rent bear spray for your time in Yellowstone.
Renting bear spray is a great option if you only need it for your trip to Yellowstone or if you will be flying to get there and can’t bring your own. It costs about $10 per day to rent and can be picked up and dropped off in the park.
Bear Spray Rental Locations
- Freeheel and Wheel in West Yellowstone, Montana
- Bear Aware Old Faithful at the Upper Geyser Basin
- Bear Aware Canyon Village next to the Canyon Visitor Center
See the full list of bear spray pickup and drop-off locations here.
The 10 Essentials
If you’re not familiar already, the 10 Essentials are a set of equipment you should have with you whenever you go hiking. They include items like navigation and a first aid kit to keep you ready for any scenario.
The 10 Essentials are:
- Navigation
- Headlamp + extra batteries
- Sun Protection
- First Aid
- Knife
- Shelter
- Extra food
- Extra water
- Extra clothes
As you can see, Yellowstone is home to some pretty amazing hikes! The best part is, there’s something for every ability whether you’re an avid adventurer or want a casual walk in nature.
Happy exploring, friends!