10 Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park

By Emily Leikam on October 20, 2023
7 min read

Yellowstone is one of the most unique, beautiful and interesting National Parks in the entire world. The park sits atop a volcanic hotspot and offers visitors multiple different hydrothermal features such as active geysers and soothing hot springs. Surrounding the 2.2 million acres of wild land are dramatic cliffs and dense forests that create a fantastic setting for all to enjoy. A variety of trails, designed for all levels of hiking, lead to magical locations in the park. Exploring by foot is one of the best ways to enjoy this magnificent area, but only human feet are allowed. It is important to note that dogs are not allowed on any trails in Yellowstone. So strap on your boots and get prepared to explore these 10 best hikes in Yellowstone National Park:

 1. Fairy Falls Trail

Rainbow-Colored Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring. Photo by: Gottsfam.

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 4.8 miles

Elevation gain: 170 ft.

Routine type: There and back

Family friendly: Yes

One of the best hikes that you’ll find in Yellowstone is on the Fairy Falls Trail. This path leads you past two geysers, a vibrant spring and to the tallest waterfall in the park. You’ll find the trailhead sign on Grand Loop Road between Midway Geyser Basin and Old Faithful. The trail then leads you across the Firehole River and through lodgepole pines until you reach the peaceful falls. If you’d like to add an additional 2.9-miles to your hike, take a left on Imperial Meadows loop, which will lead you back to the old freight road. This is a great trail for all ages and experience levels. 

2. Mount Washburn via Dunraven Pass

wildflowers on Dunraven Pass
Wildflowers on Dunraven Pass. Photo by: mark byzewski.

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 6.8 miles

Elevation gain: 1,394 ft

Routine type: There and back

Family friendly: Yes

Mount Washburn is a highly recommended classic hike. The trailhead begins at Dunraven Pass, north of Canyon Village, then winds upwards with a few switchbacks until you reach the crown of the Washburn Range at 10,234 ft. As you can imagine, the view is spectacular. A full panoramic view offers a glimpse of the massive caldera that is Yellowstone. Not only will you be able to see famous landmarks such as Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Lake, but you’ll also have a chance to observe bighorn sheep, and possibly grizzlies, in early fall. Just be sure to bring proper clothing, because these high elevations get cold!

3. South Rim to Ribbon Lake Loop

Sunset and Overlook of Waterfall at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone National Park. Photo by: Srongkrod.

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 8.7 miles

Elevation gain: 770 ft

Route type: Loop

Family friendly: Yes

Walking along the South Rim, beginning near Upper Falls and just after Artist’s Point, is the trailhead to Ribbon Lake Loop. A relatively level trail leads you through forests, prairie land, past multiple thermal attractions, and to the emerald-colored Clear Lake. As you get close to the lake you’ll begin to notice small bubbles rising on the far end of the lake due to Hydrothermal activity. This hike is great for all ages and a beautiful trail for bird watching. Use caution when taking this path and make sure to stay on the trail as you’ll be walking by many steaming vents and areas of boiling mud. 

4. Storm Point Loop

Yellowstone Lake
Storm Point on Yellowstone Lake. Photo by: Yellowstone National Park.

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 2.5 miles

Elevation gain: 98 ft

Route type: Loop

Family friendly: Yes

The trail begins in open meadows that overlook Indian Pond and Yellowstone Lake. As you continue through the forest you’ll be led to a scenic area known as Storm Point. The location is covered in uniquely ancient rock formations and is home to a large colony of yellow-bellied marmots. As you keep walking along the trail, you’ll travel through the lodgepole forest and return back to the sweeping meadows. This is an easy, accessible hike that anyone can enjoy! This is also an ideal place for fishing, camping, and boating. Just be sure to acquire any needed permits for such activities. 

5. Avalanche Peak Trail

Views looking out of the east boundary from Avalanche Peak
Views looking out of the east boundary from Avalanche Peak. Photo by:
Yellowstone National Park.

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 4.5 miles

Elevation gain: 2,070 ft

Route type: There and back

Family friendly: No

The trailhead for Avalanche Peak is located near Eleanor Lake on East Entrance Road. You’ll begin your journey traveling through old-growth forests and then be prepared for a steep hike all the way up to the 10,566-foot summit of Avalanche Peak. The hike is well worth the effort, as you’ll acquire astonishing views of the landscape below. The Grand Tetons and Mount Sheridan shine in all their glory to the south while the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains glow to the east. The hike is challenging because of the steep incline, so be sure to bring plenty of water and hike at a slow pace if you’re not used to high elevations. 

6. North Rim Trail

Inspiration point Yellowstone waterfall with rainbow
Rainbow at Inspiration point. Photo by: Marco.

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 6.4 miles

Elevation gain: 675 ft

Route type: There and back

Family friendly: Yes

If there was one hike to mark down on your bucket list for Yellowstone, this should be the one to take. The trail travels steadily above the Yellowstone River and visits various vantage points that include amazing waterfalls. The hike ends at Inspiration Point where you can choose to turn around or arrange for a shuttle to pick you up. The views from this hike allow you to truly appreciate the geological marvels and extraordinary colors that belong to this National Park. 

7.  Mary Mountain Trail

Sunset at Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone’s Hayden Valley. Photo by: Eric Middelkoop.

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 20 miles

Elevation gain: 1,433 ft

Route type: Point to point

Family friendly: Yes

The Mary Mountain Trail is a long and incredibly rewarding hike that leads through expansive grasslands, pinewood forests and ends at the charming Mary Lake in the backwoods. The entire hike is best taken as a multi-day backpacking journey and provides plenty of gorgeous areas to set up camp. This is a perfect opportunity to get away from the crowds to enjoy some peace and quiet. You may encounter bison and even grizzly bears along this hike, so use caution. Remember, if you’re near any large mammals give them the space that they deserve.

8. Specimen Ridge Trail

Bull Bison Drinking Water
Bull bison graze along an ephemeral pool in Lamar Valley. Photo by: Yellowstone National Park.

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 16.9 miles

Elevation gain: 3,861 ft

Route type: Point to point

Family friendly: No

The trail begins with a steep ascent, over 3,300 ft, up Amethyst Mountain. Then it quickly descends down to the Soda Butte/Lamar River Trailhead. It’s a wise idea to check the water level of the Lamar River before taking this adventure, because most likely than not, you’ll need to cross the river to keep moving forward. What makes this ridge unique is the petrified forest on the northern slope. It’s technically the world’s only standing petrified forest with root systems intact. This is not well-known by many visitors, so it’s a great opportunity to stray away from the crowds. You’ll also have a fantastic vantage point of Lamar Valley and Yellowstone River and, of course, the plethora of wildlife roaming the land. The scenes from this hike are something out of a dream and can only be experienced in person.

9. Osprey Falls Trail

Foggy Haze Over Osprey Falls
Foggy Haze Over Osprey Falls. Photo by: Kellyvandellen.

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 9.9 miles

Elevation gain: 2,099 ft

Route type: There and back

Family friendly: No

In the Northwest corner of the park, near Mammoth Hot Springs, is the trailhead to Osprey Falls. This trail is a beautiful hike that leads to an impressive 150-foot waterfall positioned inside the jaw-dropping Sheepeater Canyon. There are many switchbacks on this trail which help make it seem almost unnoticeable that you’re traversing downhill in one of the deepest canyons in Yellowstone. The strenuous hike takes around 4 to 5 hours round-trip, and there is minimum tree coverage due to a wildfire in 1988. Once you look past all these challenges, the adventure to Osprey Falls is totally worth it. 

10. The Thorofare and South Boundary Trail

Single Pronghorn Antelope on a rocky ridge in winter
Be ready to encounter Pronghorn Antelope. Photo by: Reimar.

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 70 miles

Elevation gain: 5,754 ft

Route type: Point to point

Family friendly: No

The Thorofare and South Boundary Trail is meant for those who are looking for an epic adventure into the stunning wilderness of Yellowstone. Start your journey at the Nine Mile Trailhead on the northeastern shores of Yellowstone Lake. Then you’ll follow the lake south to the sodden chute of the Thorofare. Be prepared to experience steep ascents, the need to cross rushing rivers, sightings of wildlife such as grizzlies, and anything else that demands taking a long, arduous backpacking trek. 

Tips and Guidelines

Yellowstone National Park is enormous. And enormously stunning! The trails listed above are just a few of many waiting to be explored. An important thing to remember for your trip is that the entire park is packed with over 10,000 hydrothermal features and, surprisingly, the leading cause of injuries in the area is from the Hot Springs. Use caution when exploring and always stay on the marked trails. If you come into contact with any large animals, give them plenty of space and don’t approach them. Always remember to follow the leave-no-trace principle. Before visiting Yellowstone, especially if you’re camping, be sure to acquire any needed permits and passes. Most importantly, enjoy your trip to this amazing National Park! 

Featured image by: Fyle.

Emily Leikam
Emily Leikam

Emily is an avid traveler and has been all around the world from Alaska and Iceland to Peru and Bali. Her home base is Nashville, TN and when not traveling you can find her hiking, practicing yoga or cooking/baking!

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