Top Hiking Trails in Yellowstone National Park

Iconic Day Hikes You Can’t Miss

Start with the overlook spur to witness Grand Prismatic’s surreal colors steaming below, then continue to Fairy Falls, a delicate 200-foot ribbon in a forested amphitheater. Go early or at golden hour for fewer crowds, vibrant hues, and a gentle, family-friendly trail.

Iconic Day Hikes You Can’t Miss

This mostly level path follows an old service road along the Firehole River to a backcountry geyser that erupts roughly every three hours. Bring patience, snacks, and curiosity; the sudden roar and column of water feel magical when the forest quiets before showtime.

Big Views and High Peaks

This Yellowstone classic delivers sweeping views and frequent bighorn sheep sightings. Expect wind, sun exposure, and lingering snow patches early season. Pack layers, water, and bear spray, and pause often—the rolling hills and distant peaks deserve more than a passing glance.

Big Views and High Peaks

Short, steep, and spectacular, this trail catapults you above tree line for a front-row seat to the Absaroka Range. Snow can linger into summer, and storms build quickly. Start early, bring sturdy footwear, and savor the quiet crunch of pumice beneath your boots.

Big Views and High Peaks

Thin air, strong sun, and rapid weather shifts demand respect. Hydrate early, snack often, and watch the sky for changing conditions. If thunder threatens, retreat below exposed ridges. Your best summit days balance ambition with a patient, observant rhythm.

Slough Creek into Lamar Country

Follow gentle grades through meadows where trout slip through glassy bends and bison mow ancient grasslands. Early and late light offer your best chance for wildlife encounters. Carry optics, give animals space, and let silence be your invitation to witness wild moments.

Mary Mountain Trail across Hayden Valley

This long, exposed traverse cuts the heart of bison country. Consider partial out-and-backs for a taste of big-sky solitude without committing to the full distance. Expect mud, wind, and wide horizons, and remember: the valley’s living history moves at a bison’s pace.

Ethical Wildlife Viewing on Trail

Keep at least 25 yards from bison and elk, 100 from bears and wolves. Never approach, feed, or block wildlife. Let your lens zoom, not your feet. Sharing the trail responsibly preserves Yellowstone’s rhythms for the next hiker and the next generation.

Waterfall Country: Canyon and Bechler

Link overlooks like Brink of the Lower Falls and Artist Point for a classic canyon day. Feel the ground hum beneath the thunder of water and watch rainbows arc in windblown spray. Railings protect, but edges demand care; linger where viewpoints feel safest.

Waterfall Country: Canyon and Bechler

In the park’s southwest, waterfalls crowd lush corridors: Colonnade, Iris, Ouzel. Late summer brings easier fords and fewer mosquitoes. Day hikers can sample sections; backpackers find a wonderland of camps and cascades—an ode to patience, planning, and river-music nights.

Waterfall Country: Canyon and Bechler

Mist slicks rock, wind hollows the canyon, and storms can build unseen. Wear traction, respect posted closures, and step carefully on wet boardwalks. If thunder speaks, move away from exposed rims. Share your favorite safe viewpoints with our community in the comments.

Waterfall Country: Canyon and Bechler

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Backpacking Classics and Overnight Gems

A generous shoreline and a backcountry geyser basin make Heart Lake unforgettable. Expect bear activity and follow food storage rules at designated sites. Watching evening alpenglow flame across the lake feels like a secret shared by spruce, water, and sky.

Backpacking Classics and Overnight Gems

Each meadow opens wider than the last, stitched by a trouty ribbon and stitched again by game trails. Campsites feel tucked and timeless. Bring a book, a patient cast, and your best camp etiquette; the quiet is part of the trail’s treasured character.

Porcelain Basin gleams with stark whites and turquoise pools, while the Back Basin winds to unpredictable Steamboat Geyser. Stay flexible—eruptions are never guaranteed. Let curiosity set your pace, reading each plume and crackle like lines in a story still being written.

Thermal Wonders on Foot

Beyond Old Faithful, pathways thread a wonderland of sinter terraces and jewel-toned pools. Watch for minor eruptions along the way and time Old Faithful’s next show. Even familiar features feel new when clouds, wind, and light rewrite the thermal script hour by hour.

Thermal Wonders on Foot

Spring and Early Summer

Expect lingering snow on high routes, muddy valleys, and roaring streams. Wildflowers ignite sage flats, and bears roam widely. Carry traction for shoulder-season hikes, and be flexible with plans; some roads, passes, or trails may open later than you hoped.

Midsummer Momentum

Long days invite ambitious itineraries, but crowds grow. Beat the rush with first-light starts, choose less-famous trails, and embrace picnic breakfasts at trailheads. Afternoon thunderstorms are common—pack a shell, stow electronics, and descend from exposed ridges if skies darken.

Fall’s Quiet Magic

Crisp mornings, golden willows, and bugling elk signal a gentler pace. Some facilities wind down, nights bite harder, and bears feed intensely. Layer strategically and check closures. Share your best shoulder-season tip with fellow readers to help everyone plan smarter.

Trail Tales, Leave No Trace, and Community

We paused below the summit as a small band of bighorn sheep stepped lightly across the talus. No selfie scramble, no shouts—just wind and hoof on stone. Moments like that arrive quietly when you hike with patience and let the mountain set the tempo.

Trail Tales, Leave No Trace, and Community

Stay on durable surfaces, pack out every crumb, and give fragile edges a wide berth. Yield to uphill hikers, share viewpoints kindly, and let solitude ring for others. These simple habits protect the very qualities that make Yellowstone’s top trails unforgettable.