Best trails in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is America's first national park. Its vast landscape spans three states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The park is home to various wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Yellowstone is most famous for its collection of hot springs and the world's most extraordinary geysers -- most notably, Old Faithful.
Top trails
- (4865)•Easy•2.2 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrMammoth Hot Springs is a large hot spring complex on a hillside of travertine terraces in Yellowstone National Park. Some sections of the sidewalk are wheelchair accessible; the rest of the area has steep stairs or slopes due to the terrain. Limestone is the dominant underlying rock in place of rhyolite, which dominates in the other large hydrothermal zones of the park. This region is one of the world's best examples of hot travertine deposits. It is also one of the most dynamic hydrothermal...
- (2114)•Moderate•5.6 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrThis is a popular loop hike with two trailheads in Mammoth Hot Springs. This is a great hike for those who want to see wildlife. One trailhead is near the Hymen Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs. The other trailhead is behind the Justice Center. The trail loops through an open area on the side of a mountain, were a great view of Gardner Canyon can be seen. The hike's climax is at the Beaver Ponds which are actually on the Montana side of the Park. There are two beaver dams there, and...
- (1601)•Moderate•7.1 mi•Est. 2.5–3 hrWalk through this stunning open trail in Yellowstone National Park. This trail is fantastic for spotting wildlife such as Bison, Eagles and Antelopes. Please be mindful of Bison that do occasionally block the path, wait for them to move or detour around them. This trail offers little sun protection so wearing appropriate clothing and bringing plenty of water is advised.
- (829)•Moderate•2.0 mi•Est. 1–1.5 hrThis trail takes you from the Hellroaring Creek Trailhead parking lot to the Yellowstone River, where you can enjoy a scenic suspension bridge and stunning water views. Most of the trail is exposed to the sun, so be sure to bring plenty of water. You should also bring bug spray to protect against mosquitoes near the river. The terrain includes steep sections with switchbacks.
- (526)•Easy•1.7 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrShort hike with spectacular and seldom seen views of Upper and Lower Undine Falls from the north side. From Mammoth, trailhead is at Lava Creek Bridge. Park in the lot and cross over bridge to trail on the left. Best view of the falls is from the deck half a mile before Lava Creek.
- (632)•Hard•19.8 mi•Est. 7.5–8 hrSlough Creek Trail travels from Slough Creek Campground in Yellowstone National Park to the north boundary of the park. It follows the Slough Creek through mostly broad, open, grassy meadows the whole way. The trail junctions with the Buffalo Fork Trail at the First Meadow and then at the Bliss Pass Trail. There are numerous back-country sites are available - make sure to reserve them ahead of time at a ranger station.
- (220)•Easy•0.3 mi•Est. 0.5–1 hrEnjoy this short walk that explores the hot spring formations that make Yellowstone National Park so special. This is a quick outing that will be done as part of the many wonderful sights this area park has to offer. Make sure to read the informational signs to learn more about this unique area and keep an eye out for Elk that frequent this area.
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
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to hike in Yellowstone National Park?
What is the longest trail in Yellowstone National Park?
How many trails are in Yellowstone National Park?
Which trail has the most elevation gain in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there camping trails available in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there running trails available in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there biking trails available in Yellowstone National Park?
What are the best summer hikes in Yellowstone National Park?
What are the best fall hikes in Yellowstone National Park?
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What are the best spring hikes in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with hot springs in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with geysers in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with picnic areas in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with springs in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with lakes in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with rivers in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with ponds in Yellowstone National Park?
Are there any trails with cliffs in Yellowstone National Park?
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Birding trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Camping trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Cross-country skiing trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Fishing trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Hiking trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Horseback riding trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Running trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Scenic driving trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Snowshoeing trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Walking trails in Yellowstone National Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Hard trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Easy trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Forest trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Historic site trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Hot springs trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Lake trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Long trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Moderate trails in Yellowstone National Park
- No dogs trails in Yellowstone National Park
- River trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Short trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Scenic viewpoint trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Waterfall trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Wildflowers trails in Yellowstone National Park
- Wildlife trails in Yellowstone National Park
Points of interest
- Lower Yellowstone Falls
- Fairy Falls
- Palette Spring
- Morning Glory Pool
- Morning Glory Pool
- Roof
- Arrowhead Spring
- Grand Prismatic Spring
- Emerald Spring
- Dr. Allen's Paintpot
- Upper Yellowstone Falls
- Lambchop Geyser
- Mount Washburn
- Dragon's Mouth Spring
- Avalanche Peak
- UNNG-BSB-8 (White Sand Spring)
- Emerald Pool
- Lone Star Geyser
- Opal Pool
- Artist Point
