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Boiling geysers. Cascading waterfalls. Deeply carved canyons. Wildlife at every turn. One of the best ways to see the beauty in Yellowstone National Park and avoid crowds is by taking a hike.
With over 1,000 miles of trails, how do you choose what hikes to add to your Yellowstone National Park itinerary?
This guide covers the 15 best hikes in Yellowstone National Park, from strolls through geyser basins to challenging summit trails. Plus, I’m sharing tips on what you need to know before hiking in Yellowstone.
By the end of this post, you’ll feel ready to conquer your first hike in Yellowstone National Park!
Are you looking for more ideas for your trip to Yellowstone? Then, don’t miss this post!
Looking for more ideas for your national park bucket list? Don’t miss this Ultimate National Park Checklist, complete with the best things to do in all 63 USA National Parks!
Yellowstone National Park At-A-Glance
Before diving in, here are a few highlights to help you plan your trip:
- Best Time to Visit: Summer is a great time to visit thanks to warm weather and all park amenities being open, but it is also the most crowded time of year. Avoid crowds by visiting in September or early October.
- Where to Stay: Yellowstone has eight lodges inside the park, plus several campgrounds. The Old Faithful Inn and Canyon Lodge are my favorites, both close to all the most popular places to see in the park. Outside the park, look for hotels in West Yellowstone, Montana.
- How to Get There: The closest airport is in West Yellowstone (WYS), serviced by both United and Delta Airlines. Other major airports in the region include Jackson Hole (JAC), Bozeman (BZN), and Salt Lake (SLC). Use Skyscanner to browse flights and find the best price.
- How to Get Around: The easiest way to get around Yellowstone is by car. Use Rentalcars.com to browse deals on rental cars or rent an RV or campervan with Outdoorsy.
- Best Self-Guided Tour: My favorite way to learn more about the park is with GyPSy Guides, a narrated self-guided tour perfect for road trips and scenic drives. The Yellowstone Guide and the Yellowstone/Grand Teton Bundle both provide incredible commentary and detail about the history and geology of Yellowstone.
- Don’t Forget: Be sure to get an America the Beautiful National Park Pass ahead of time. This $80 pass is valid for 12 months and get you into all 400+ national park sites (including both Yellowstone and Grand Teton!).
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What to Know Before Hiking in Yellowstone National Park
Before diving into the details of the best trails in Yellowstone, I wanted to share a few essential tips and reminders for your trip.
- Yellowstone National Park charges an entry fee. However, you can use the annual national park pass to save time. The pass gets you into Yellowstone and Grand Teton, plus 400 more national park sites. Get your annual national park pass here for $80.
- July to September is the best time to hike in Yellowstone. For most of the year, hiking trails are covered in snow and are inaccessible. To avoid snow and hike in warm weather, visit during the summer months. To avoid crowds, start your hikes in the early morning. Read more about the best time to visit Yellowstone.
- Cell service is limited in most areas of the park. Be sure to download your lodging reservation details or take a screenshot before arriving at the park. I highly recommend AllTrails Pro to download your hike details and navigate without cell service.
- Yellowstone National Park is in bear country. You should always carry bear spray when hiking in Yellowstone. Be sure to make noise on less crowded trails to alert animals. You can read more here about bear spray in Yellowstone.
- Pets are not allowed on hiking trails and cannot be left unattended. Read more about pets in Yellowstone National Park.
- Dress in layers. Temperatures fluctuate dramatically from day to night. Wear moisture-wicking hiking shirts and warm fleece layers to keep you comfortable all day.
- Pack a hiking backpack and the ten essentials. It’s crucial to carry safety gear every time you hike. So be sure to pack the ten hiking essentials and bring a hiking backpack with plenty of room for water and extra equipment.
Looking for more tips on what to pack for your trip? Check out my guides on the best hiking gear, what to pack for a road trip, and essential camping gear for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze!
Best Yellowstone Hikes to Geysers
Yellowstone National Park’s most popular attractions tend to be the geyser basins. These unique geothermal features draw millions of visitors each year.
These geyser trails are quintessential experiences in Yellowstone, taking you to must-see spots like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring.
If you’re looking for the best family-friendly or low-impact hikes for a short time in Yellowstone, don’t miss these trails!
Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation: 200 feet
- Time: 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Midway Geyser Basin
- Trailhead: Fairy Falls Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
Easily one of Yellowstone’s most visited hiking trails, the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail belongs on every Yellowstone itinerary. But be warned, this trail is always crowded!
Grand Prismatic Spring is best seen from above in direct sunlight given the bright colors.
For that reason, I recommend hiking this overlook trail in the afternoon.
The trail starts at the Fairy Falls Trailhead, a short distance from the Midway Geyser Basin parking lot. This short, easy trail follows a dirt road out to a short ascent to the viewing platform.
From the viewing platform, you’re rewarded with incredible views of one of Yellowstone’s most iconic features. You can also walk the Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk if you want an up-close view of Grand Prismatic.
Read More: Ultimate Yellowstone National Park Itinerary
Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop
- Distance: 4.9 miles
- Elevation: 357 feet
- Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Loop
- Area of Park: Old Faithful
- Trailhead: Old Faithful Viewing Platform
- Check out on AllTrails
Yellowstone’s most famous attraction is the Old Faithful Geyser. Interestingly, Old Faithful is neither the largest nor most frequent geyser in Yellowstone. However, it is the most accessible and predictable geyser in the park.
But beyond Old Faithful, the Upper Geyser Basin is home to the densest concentration of hydrothermal features in the world! One of the best things to do in Yellowstone is this walking tour of the Upper Geyser Basin, including the Observation Point loop.
Starting at the Old Faithful viewing platform, make your way up the moderate climb to Observation Point. This viewpoint provides excellent views overlooking Old Faithful (bonus points if you’re able to time it with an eruption!).
Afterward, continue the loop of the Upper Geyser Basin. Don’t miss Morning Glory Pool, Riverside Geyser, and Castle Geyser!
At the Old Faithful Visitor Center, you can find a map of the geyser basin that details the science and history behind the area.
Read More: 22 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone in 2022
Lone Star Geyser Trail
- Distance: 5.3 miles
- Elevation: 127 feet
- Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Old Faithful
- Trailhead: Lone Star Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
If you’re looking to explore off-the-beaten-path, don’t miss the Lone Star Geyser Trail! Unlike the nearby Upper Geyser Basin and Midway Geyser Basin, Lone Star Geyser gets few crowds.
Fewer visitors make the 5+ mile round trip hike to see Lone Star Geyser, which means more solitude for you! After days exploring the more popular areas of Yellowstone, avoiding crowds is a nice treat.
The trail starts at the Lone Star Trailhead, just south of Kepler Cascade on Grand Loop Road. Next, you’ll follow the Firehole River through a dense pine forest, ending at the uniquely shaped Lone Star Geyser.
Lone Star Geyser is a cone (one of the largest in Yellowstone!) and erupts roughly every 3 hours. When erupting, the water reaches 45 feet high and lasts about 5 minutes!
Best Waterfall Hikes at Yellowstone
In addition to its renowned geysers, Yellowstone is also home to several impressive waterfalls. The tallest in the park is the Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
If you’re looking to explore more of Yellowstone’s natural beauty, don’t miss these waterfall hikes!
Brink of the Lower Falls Trail
- Distance: 0.7 miles
- Elevation: 265 feet
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Trailhead: Brink of the Lower Falls Parking Area
- Check out on AllTrails
The Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the tallest waterfall in the park, cascading nearly 310 feet. Surprisingly, Yellowstone’s Lower Falls is more than double the height of Niagara Falls!
The Brink of the Lower Falls Trail takes you into the canyon to overlook the towering waterfall. You’ll start your hike at the parking area off the North Rim scenic drive. The trail follows a series of steep switchbacks, descending 250 feet.
At the end of the descent, you’ll reach an overlook point at the top of the Lower Falls cascade. Here you’ll be able to take in the powerful waterfall pouring into the canyon below.
While steep, this hike is under a mile round trip, making it suitable for many visitors.
North Rim Trail
- Distance: 6.4 miles
- Elevation: 675 feet
- Time: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Trailhead: Parking area at the start of South Rim Drive
- Check out on AllTrails
To explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in its entirety, hike the longer North Rim Trail. This trail follows the northern rim of the canyon, running parallel to the scenic drive.
Start this hike at the parking area near the junction of Grand Loop Road and South Rim Drive. You’ll quickly cross the bridge over the Yellowstone River and begin the North Rim Trail.
The North Rim Trail takes you to many of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone’s top viewpoints, including Brink of the Upper Falls, Crystal Falls Overlook, Lookout Point, and Grand View. The trail dead-ends at Inspiration Point, offering impressive canyon views.
You can also add on short detours to Brink of the Lower Falls and Red Rock Point for an opportunity to descend into the canyon.
The North Rim Trail offers an excellent opportunity to explore a part of the canyon on foot that many choose to drive past.
Uncle Tom’s Trail
- Distance: 0.6 miles
- Elevation: 383 feet
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Trailhead: Upper Falls Viewpoint Parking Lot
- Check out on AllTrails
For impressive views of both the Upper Falls and Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, don’t miss Uncle Tom’s Trail. This hike is short but steep, making it a challenging climb.
The trail starts at the parking area for the Upper Falls Viewpoint. Then, it descends over 300 steps to the base of the Lower Falls along the Yellowstone River. Thankfully, the steep stairs offer several places to rest along the way.
Once at the foot of the falls, you’re rewarded with incredible views of the most powerful and tallest waterfall in Yellowstone. If you’re lucky, you may even see a rainbow in the falls!
Since most of the hike is on metal stairs, this trail is only open seasonally during the summer to avoid icy conditions.
Fairy Falls Trail
- Distance: 4.8 miles
- Elevation: 170 feet
- Time: 2 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Midway Geyser Basin
- Trailhead: Fairy Falls Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
The Fairy Falls Trail is often rated as one of the best waterfall hikes in Yellowstone. The trail starts near the Midway Geyser Basin at the Fairy Falls Trailhead.
Not only does this incredible hike provide waterfall views, but you’ll also see an impressive view of Grand Prismatic Spring from above.
The trail starts along a wide, flat path. After a short climb through a pine forest, you’ll reach the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. This viewing platform provides must-see views of Yellowstone’s iconic feature. Expect to encounter plenty of crowds.
Most visitors choose to turn back at this point. However, to escape the crowds, continue to Fairy Falls.
The rest of the hike takes you through a younger pine forest, recovering after a forest fire in the late 1980s. At the trail’s end, the path opens up to Fairy Falls.
This 200-foot waterfall cascades down a steep rock face. You can also continue on another half mile to Imperial Geyser and Spray Geyser if you have more energy. These backcountry geysers see minimal crowds compared to other more accessible geyser basins in Yellowstone.
Best Easy Yellowstone National Park Hiking
Yellowstone National Park offers a few easy hikes (aside from the geyser basin trails mentioned above). These short trails allow you to escape the crowds found in Yellowstone’s more popular areas.
If you’re looking for less crowded, family-friendly trails, these are for you!
Storm Point Trail
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Elevation: 98 feet
- Time: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Type: Loop
- Area of Park: Yellowstone Lake
- Trailhead: Storm Point Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
If you’re looking for an easy, lakeside hike, consider the Storm Point Trail! This 2.5-mile hike starts off East Entrance Road, just past the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center.
You’ll start at the Storm Point Trailhead. The trail passes Indian Pond before taking you to the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Upon reaching Storm Point, you’ll be rewarded with views of the massive lake along the rocky shoreline.
During the summer, you’ll find the grassy meadows along the trail filled with colorful wildflowers. You may even be able to spot some bison and marmots on the trail!
Trout Lake Loop
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Elevation: 200 feet
- Time: 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trail Type: Loop
- Area of Park: Lamar Valley
- Trailhead: Trout Lake Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
If you’re exploring the wildlife in Lamar Valley and looking for a quick, short hike, don’t miss Trout Lake!
This pleasant hike starts along the Northeast Entrance Road in the heart of Lamar Valley. The 1.2-mile trail loops around Trout Lake and is the perfect leg stretch.
You’ll have excellent opportunities to spot wildlife here. Keep your eyes peeled for otters, ospreys, and grizzly bears. Don’t forget your binoculars on this hike!
In the summer, you’ll find plenty of wildflowers covering the meadows surrounding the lake.
Best Hiking in Yellowstone: Moderate to Difficult Trails
Many of Yellowstone’s popular trails are strolls through wooded areas or geyser basins. However, if you’re looking for a more challenging hike, you’ll want to explore off-the-beaten-path.
These moderate and challenging hiking trails have more elevation gain, most taking you to summits that overlook Yellowstone! If you have several days in Yellowstone and want to avoid crowds, consider these hiking trails instead.
Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn Trail
- Distance: 6.8 miles
- Elevation: 1,394 feet
- Time: 4 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Near Canyon Village
- Trailhead: Dunraven Pass Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
Mount Washburn is routinely rated as one of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park. This summit trail provides excellent views of Yellowstone from the 10,243-foot summit. You’ll truly appreciate the expansiveness of Yellowstone from this vantage point.
While there are two routes to reach Mount Washburn, the most popular trail is from Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn. Starting at the Dunraven Pass Trailhead along Grand Loop Road, you’ll ascend nearly 1,400 feet over 3.5-miles, a decently steep grade of around 7%.
After climbing several long switchbacks, you’ll reach the fire lookout at the summit. From this panoramic viewpoint, you can see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake. On a clear day, you may even be able to see the Grand Tetons!
This hike also provides plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife you won’t see in other areas of the park, like bighorn sheep! Be sure to bring bear spray on this hike, as you may spot bears too.
Afternoon thunderstorms are pretty common in the summer, so I recommend hiking this trail in the morning to avoid hiking in rain and lightning.
You can also hike from the Chittenden Road trailhead for a shorter route to Mount Washburn, covering 5.8 miles round trip.
Bunsen Peak Trail
- Distance: 4.4 miles
- Elevation: 1,282 feet
- Time: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Mammoth Hot Springs
- Trailhead: Bunsen Peak Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
Another popular summit hike in Yellowstone is the Bunsen Peak Trail. This moderate hike climbs nearly 1,300 feet over 2.2 miles, averaging around an 11% incline. This hike is steeper but shorter than the hike to Mount Washburn.
Starting at the Bunsen Peak Trailhead near Mammoth Hot Springs, you’ll climb a series of steep switchbacks to reach an incredible panoramic viewpoint. You’ll have views of Mammoth Hot Springs, the Yellowstone River Valley, and the Gallatin and Washburn mountain ranges from the summit.
The hike is exposed for much of the way, passing through sagebrush and sparse pine forest landscapes. Like Mount Washburn, I recommend starting this hike in the morning to avoid the risk of afternoon thunderstorms.
Avalanche Peak Trail
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Elevation: 2,070 feet
- Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Yellowstone Lake
- Trailhead: Avalanche Peak Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
The final summit hike on this list, the Avalanche Peak Trail, is another crowd-pleaser. This hike begins near Yellowstone Lake and climbs to impressive panoramic views of the eastern part of the park.
If you’re looking for a challenging hike to escape from the crowds, this is it! But be warned, this trail is steep, averaging around a 20% incline.
The trail starts at the Avalanche Peak Trailhead off of East Entrance Road, about 18 miles east of the junction with Grand Loop Road. You’ll follow the first part of the trail through a pine forest, providing plenty of opportunities for bear or elk sightings.
The hike opens up into more exposed terrain at high elevation, providing views of the surrounding area. Even in the summer, you may encounter a few small snow patches.
From the 10,568 foot summit, you can see much of the southeastern parts of Yellowstone National Park. In addition, you’ll have views of the mountain ranges to the north and south and Yellowstone Lake to the west.
Point Sublime via Artist Point Trail
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Elevation: 341 feet
- Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Trailhead: Artist Point Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
One of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park is this trail to Point Sublime. The hike starts at the photo-famous viewpoint, Artist Point, along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
The start of the trail at Artist Point offers excellent views of Yellowstone River’s Lower Falls.
The nearly 3-mile round trip hike follows the south rim of the canyon further east, past Artist Point. Point Sublime is an area of the park only accessible by hiking, making it an excellent way to escape the crowds found in other areas of Yellowstone.
Hike this trail in the mid-morning for the best light in the canyon.
The Point Sublime Trail offers excellent canyon views carved by the Yellowstone River below. You’ll be able to enjoy an exciting hike along the canyon edge and take in the beautiful, colorful canyon walls surrounding you.
Beaver Ponds Loop Trail
- Distance: 6.0 miles
- Elevation: 674 feet
- Time: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Loop
- Area of Park: Mammoth Hot Springs
- Trailhead: Beaver Ponds Trailhead
- Check out on AllTrails
This moderate trail is one of the best on the park’s western side. The Beaver Ponds Loop starts near Mammoth Hot Springs and offers excellent opportunities to see wildlife.
The trail winds through both forest and sagebrush meadows on the way to a sprawling pond. Like the name of the trail hints at, the ponds on this trail feature beaver habitats.
About halfway through the hike, you’ll reach the beaver dams. Keep your eyes peeled for beavers on the water!
If you’re looking for a longer hike that is still family-friendly, consider making this loop after exploring Mammoth Hot Springs.
Lamar River Trail to Cache Creek Trail
- Distance: 7.0 miles
- Elevation: 300 feet
- Time: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out and back
- Area of Park: Lamar Valley
- Trailhead: Lamar River Trailhead
- Read more about this trail
The Lamar Valley area offers many long hikes, including several multi-day backpacking trips. The Lamar River Trail is one of Yellowstone’s most popular backpacking routes, but you can also hike sections of the trail on a day hike!
You’ll start this hike to Cache Creek at the Lamar River Trailhead along Soda Butte Creek. The trail takes you through a sprawling wildflower-filled meadow, providing plenty of opportunities to spot bison.
In addition to bison, you’ll also have a chance to see pronghorns, bears, elk, coyotes, and wolves.
The trail intersects with the Specimen Ridge Trail after about 1.5 miles. As you follow the Specimen Ridge Trail, you’ll reach the Lamar River. You can opt to turn back at this point or continue on a bit further to Cache Creek.
If you continue, you’ll return to the Lamar River Trail, following another 2 miles until reaching Cache Creek. The path provides plenty of mountain views along the way. After exploring the area, head back the same way you came.
This hike is rated as moderate but features stream crossings and less signage than other Yellowstone hikes, so I only recommend this trail for experienced hikers who are used to navigating backcountry environments.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Trails in Yellowstone
Is Yellowstone good for hiking?
Yellowstone has over 1,000 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks through the geyser basins to challenging summit hikes. So if you want to see the best of the park and avoid crowds, go for a hike in Yellowstone!
Can you hike alone in Yellowstone?
Given that Yellowstone National Park is located in bear country, it is best to hike in groups of at least 2 to 3 people. Hiking in groups helps you make more noise on trails, which reduces unexpected encounters with bears and other wildlife.
Do you need bear spray in Yellowstone?
Yes, you do need bear spray in Yellowstone. Keep your bear spray holstered on your hip or another easily accessible location. You can purchase your bear spray or rent it locally once you arrive in Yellowstone.
Is there a lot of hiking in Yellowstone?
There are tons of Yellowstone hiking trails, from geyser basins to waterfalls to canyons to expansive valleys! Whatever you’re interested in seeing, you’ll find the perfect Yellowstone hike for you. Hiking is also one of the best ways to avoid crowds in Yellowstone.
How do I prepare for a Yellowstone hike?
The best way to prepare for a Yellowstone hike is to research the trail ahead of time and check weather conditions. After you know what to expect, be sure to pack the ten hiking essentials, including water, layers, sunscreen, and bear spray.
How long are the hiking trails in Yellowstone National Park?
There are 1,000 miles of hiking trails in Yellowstone, but individual hikes can range from short walks under 1 mile to 40+ mile backpacking trails. With plenty of trails to choose from, you’ll be able to find a hike that suits your fitness level.
Final Thoughts on the Best Day Hikes in Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park has a hike for everyone, from strolls through geyser basins to long hikes through expansive, grassy valleys. There’s no shortage of excellent trails in one of America’s first national parks.
These are the 15 best hikes in Yellowstone National Park:
- Grand Prismatic Overlook
- Upper Geyser Basin and Observation Point
- Lone Star Geyser
- Brink of the Lower Falls
- North Rim Trail
- Uncle Tom’s Trail
- Fairy Falls
- Storm Point
- Trout Lake Loop
- Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn
- Bunsen Peak
- Avalanche Peak
- Point Sublime
- Beaver Ponds Loop
- Lamar River Trail to Cache Creek
If you want to learn more about Yellowstone National Park, check out these posts!
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