Best trails in Yellowstone National Park
Top trails
Visitor info
Entry for one driver and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.
Non-commercial group (e.g. church groups, scouts) traveling in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 or more people. Cost is per person. Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.
Entry for visitors on foot, bicycle, ski, etc., when 16 years of age or older.
Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Vehicles must be private, non-commercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.
Entry for one driver and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.
Provides unlimited entry for one year (valid through the month of purchase) to the pass holder and passengers in the same vehicle, or pass holder and up to three persons where per person fees are charged. Purchase at any entrance station.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Canyon Village, Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs (Albright), Grant, West Thumb, and West Yellowstone Visitor Centers and the park's medical clinics are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. The Fishing Bridge, Norris, and Madison Visitor Centers are partially accessible, and visitors may require assistance. Orientation films include closed captioning at Canyon, Old Faithful, and Grant Visitor Centers, and the Albright Visitor Center has open captioning.
Loaner wheelchairs are available at Old Faithful, Canyon, Mammoth (Albright), Grant, Fishing Bridge, and Norris Visitor Centers, as well as at all medical clinics and lodges. A beach wheelchair is available at the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center for use at Yellowstone Lake.
Assistive listening devices are available at Canyon and Old Faithful Visitor Centers. Induction loop technology is available at the Albright Visitor Center. Audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, Braille, and large print materials are available.
ASL interpreters are available for ranger-led programs. Please call 307-344-2386 at least 3 weeks in advance to make a reservation for interpretation services.
Additional information about accessibility at Yellowstone National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The Canyon Village, Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs (Albright), Grant, West Thumb, and West Yellowstone Visitor Centers and the park's medical clinics are all accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and have wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. The Fishing Bridge, Norris, and Madison Visitor Centers are partially accessible, and visitors may require assistance. Orientation films include closed captioning at Canyon, Old Faithful, and Grant Visitor Centers, and the Albright Visitor Center has open captioning.
All lodges have wheelchair accessible rooms and facilities.
The Bay Bridge, Gibbon Falls, Madison, Tuff Cliff, Sode Butte Creek, and Warm Creek Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible, with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms or vault toilets. The East Lot and Whiskey Flat are wheelchair accessible, with packed, level paths and surfaces. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located in every major area except for West Thumb. There are wheelchair accessible vault toilets inside the East and South entrances and before the West entrance gate on the right.
There is a wheelchair accessible fishing site on the Madison River. Wheelchair accessible boating facilities are available at Bridge Bay Marina and Grant Village.
All campgrounds have at least one wheelchair accessible camping site. 2 backcountry campgrounds are wheelchair accessible.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Guides
Trail reviews for Yellowstone National Park
Hiked on 2025.06.25 The road to the trailhead is in good condition, but the parking lot — although large — stays busy throughout the day. We tried twice, once around 2 PM and again at 9 AM, but still couldn’t find a spot in the lot either time. This trail is an absolute must-visit in Yellowstone National Park. The Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s most iconic thermal feature, and seeing it up close is unforgettable. We were especially lucky to spot a bison near the spring. I truly loved the springs here — each one was mesmerizing in its own way. It was the most highlight of our trip.
This was by far one of the best hikes/overlooks we hit in Yellowstone. The View of Grand Prismatic Springs was by far more stunning than from the board walks below so it was well with the hike! We did this hike with 3 generations of our family ranging in age from 4 yrs - 70 yrs.
Great trail to see Yellowstone Lake. Not crowded at all. Steep in some sections but great view!
This is absolutely incredible! Worthy of 8 stars. On a relentlessly perfect day like today, you have views of the Tetons and all of Yellowstone Lake. Yes, it's steep, but not moreso than some of my other escapades (Mount Storm King, Franconia Ridge, Cape Blow Me Down). Just like those other trails, the steep grade only lasts for 2-2.5 miles, so it's perfect for a day hike.
Hiked on 2025.06.25 The road to the trailhead is in good condition. The parking lot is spacious enough for the number of visitors, as this spot isn’t one of the most popular attractions in the park — but for me, it’s a personal top 2. While the springs are similar to those found elsewhere in Yellowstone, the difference here is the backdrop: Yellowstone Lake. You can actually see hot spring water and the cool lake water side by side, which creates a unique and relaxing atmosphere. It’s a peaceful and beautiful place to slow down and take it all in.