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Best trails in Yellowstone National Park

Best trails in Yellowstone National Park

4.4(96,287 reviews)

·

United States
#23 of 60 national parks

Want to find the best trails in Yellowstone National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 289 great trails for hiking, backpacking, and birding and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 82 easy hiking trails in Yellowstone National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 3 to 11,069 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Yellowstone National Park.

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Showing results 1–10 of 289
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Visitor info

Hours & contact
Passes & fees
Starting at $20
Accessibility
All Park Hours
Every day • Open 24 hours
West Entrance
Every day • Open 24 hours
North Entrance
Every day • Open 24 hours
East Entrance
Every day • Open 24 hours
South Entrance
Every day • Open 24 hours
Northeast Entrance
Every day • Open 24 hours
Exceptions
West Entrance • Spring Shoulder Season
Mar 16–Apr 20, 2026 • Closed
West Entrance • Fall Shoulder Season
Nov 1–Dec 14, 2025 • Closed
East Entrance • Spring Shoulder Season
Mar 16–May 4, 2026 • Closed
East Entrance • Fall Shoulder Season
Nov 1–Dec 14, 2025 • Closed
South Entrance • Spring Shoulder Season
Mar 16–May 11, 2026 • Closed
South Entrance • Fall Shoulder Season
Nov 1–Dec 14, 2025 • Closed
Phone
(307) 344-7381
Entrance pass
Motorcycle

Entry for one driver and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.

$30
Non-commercial Groups

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.

$20
Per Person

Entry for visitors on foot, bicycle, ski, etc., when 16 years of age or older.

$20
Private Vehicle

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.

$35
Get details from the park
Snowmobile

Entry for one driver and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase.

$30
Annual pass
Park

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.

$70
All U.S. national parks

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.

$80
Purchase pass
2025 Fee-free days

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

Overview

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.

Facilities

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.

Camping

All campgrounds have at least one wheelchair accessible camping site. 2 backcountry campgrounds are wheelchair accessible.

Service animals

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Trail reviews for Yellowstone National Park

72,522 trailgoers Busiest in June
Jun 25, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

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.

Parking: Permit required, Free, Large lot
Midway Geyser Basin Trail
Jun 28, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

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.

Parking: Free, Large lot
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Overlook Trail
Jun 18, 2025Walking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Great trail to see Yellowstone Lake. Not crowded at all. Steep in some sections but great view!

Elephant Back Mountain Trail
Jun 30, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

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.

Avalanche Peak Trail
Jun 30, 2025Hiking
Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Nice morning hike... thank you Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Jun 27, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

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.

Parking: Permit required, Free, Large lot
West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail
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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Yellowstone National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Yellowstone National Park is Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Overlook Trail, which has a 4.7 star rating from 5,395 reviews. This trail is 1.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 200 ft.

What is the longest trail in Yellowstone National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Yellowstone National Park is Yellowstone Lake to Old Faithful via Southern Boundary. This trail is estimated to be 145.4 mi long.

How many trails are in Yellowstone National Park?

There are 289 trails in Yellowstone National Park. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 96,287 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Yellowstone National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Yellowstone National Park has you covered. Yellowstone Lake to Old Faithful via Southern Boundary boasts the most elevation gain with 11,069 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Heart Lake and Two Ocean Plateau Loop, which will get you 8,605 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Yellowstone National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 121 camping trails in Yellowstone National Park and the most popular is Fairy Falls Trail with an average 4.6 star rating from 3,898 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Yellowstone National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 92 running trails in Yellowstone National Park and the most popular is Fairy Falls Trail with an average 4.6 star rating from 3,898 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Yellowstone National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 5 biking trails in Yellowstone National Park and the most popular is Lone Star Geyser Trail with an average 4.7 star rating from 884 community reviews.