13 best hikes in Yellowstone for trekkers of any ability

Yellowstone National Park is a driver's paradise—you can see some of the park's most iconic sights, like Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, or even a traveling herd of bison, without venturing far from your car. But while there’s much to love about easy-access geological wonders, it’s worth exploring beyond the park pullouts. From the crashing 200-foot Fairy Falls to the twinkling alpine Grizzly Lake to the wolf packs crisscrossing Hayden Valley, these hikes offer wilderness experiences in overdrive. Here, we list the best hikes in Yellowstone to give you a perspective you’ll only get on foot.

No matter where you hit the trails, the key to a great hike is preparation. Make sure you have the American Hiking Society’s recommended ten essentials: good hiking shoes, a map and compass, plenty of water, plenty of food, sun protection, extra layers in case of a change in weather, emergency gear like a headlamp, matches, a first aid kit, a knife, and an emergency shelter like a space blanket.

Yellowstone in particular requires a few more precautions. The park is home to grizzly bears, so you’ll need to learn how to use bear spray and bring it with you. And this isn’t the place for a solo silent meditation: the National Park Service recommends you hike in groups and make noise to help announce your presence to animals.

Most of the park is at or near 7,000 to 8,500 feet above sea level. That means, compared to lower elevations, the air is drier and the sun is more intense, so drink extra water to stay hydrated. And pay attention to how your body feels and take it seriously. Some visitors, especially those who live near sea level, may get headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue, which are all symptoms of altitude sickness. If you can, spend a few days getting used to the elevation on low-effort excursions before tackling a big hike.

New to mountain travel? Stay aware of trail conditions and your hiking skill. Higher elevations mean some trails stay snow-packed until mid-July. Don’t take blue skies at face value either. Weather in the Rocky Mountains can change quickly, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for rain, wind, and cold even on a pleasant sunny day.

And one final pointer: Right before you hit the trail, check the park website (or stop by the visitor center to chat with a ranger) to check on trail closures, wildlife activity, or possible safety issues in the area. There’s nothing worse than hiking for two hours only to find the trail is washed out right before the summit.

If you’re completely unfamiliar with the area or new to hiking, a guided hike in Yellowstone may be a good option—you’ll have the benefit of an experienced guide and their knowledge of flora, fauna, and history in the area.

With more than 100 hikes in the park, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few of the best for every skill level.

Grand Prismatic Overlook

This popular path starts at the Fairy Falls trailhead, one mile south of the Midway Geyser Basin, and leads to a viewing platform. That’s where you can take in the spectacular view of Grand Prismatic Spring, the park’s most renowned, rainbow-colored hot spring. This trail is busy, especially during peak season, so nabbing a parking spot may require patience. Embark midday for the best view, when there’s less steam above the pool, but be prepared to see lots of other hikers.

Bunsen Peak

Want to summit a mountain without devoting too much time or suffering to the cause? Bunsen Peak is for you. From the trailhead five miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs, you’ll climb 1,300 feet in a little over two miles of switchbacks through meadow and forest. When you reach the top, enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of Terrace Mountain, Electric Peak, Mount Holmes, the Absaroka Range, and the Gardner River snaking through the valley below.

Fairy Falls

Amble through dense forest of lodgepole pine to reach an ethereal 200-foot waterfall as it cascades into a deep pool below. Use the parking area just south of Grand Prismatic Spring and start your hike from the trailhead on Fountain Flats Drive. You’ll first cross a bridge over the Firehole River and follow the popular trail to Fairy Falls, where you’ll find an idyllic scene, perfect for a picnic lunch.

Gibbon Falls

Gibbon Falls is a big payoff for little effort, which makes it a great choice for visitors who want to break up their day with a quick jaunt into the wilderness or for families with young adventurers. Start from the Wolf Lake Trailhead located on Grand Loop Road between Norris Junction and Canyon Village. Follow the Wolf Lake Trail into a meadow and the remnants of a forest fire until you reach the 25-foot falls. The trail is mostly flat with a small hill near the falls.

Grizzly Lake

A sparkling mountain lake ringed by forested ridgelines awaits at Grizzly Lake. Use the pullout on Grand Loop Road, six miles north of Norris Junction, to park. Then begin your hike at the Grizzly Lake Trailhead. You’ll first cross a footbridge over Obsidian Creek, then hike through an open meadow, and wind up and over a ridge before you reach the shores of the 136-acre waters.

Gneiss Creek

If you have a fly rod and park fishing permit in hand, cast your line along Gneiss Creek, which is rich with trout and scenic views. Find the trailhead just outside the park’s western boundary, north of West Yellowstone. You’ll start your hike walking along an old road. Within a half-mile, you’ll cross into the park, journey through aspen trees, and enter a marshy valley teeming with streams and wildlife. Follow the trail just over four miles to campsite WA1, after which point the trail becomes easy to lose, and retrace your steps to return.

Upper Geyser Basin

One of the most accessible and heavily trafficked hikes in the park is this one—a loop of paved and boardwalk paths that take you through an area packed with eye-popping thermal features. You can choose your own route as you go to make the hike shorter or longer, and much of the trail is accessible to wheelchairs. From Grand Loop Road, take the Old Faithful exit and park in the large lot outside the Old Faithful Inn and Visitor Education Center. Start your hike with a viewing of Old Faithful’s eruption, which happens every 90 minutes or so. Then, hit the linked boardwalks and paved trail to numerous other thermal attractions, such as Castle Geyser and Morning Glory Pool.

Lone Star Geyser

While Old Faithful shares terrain with lots of other geysers and hot springs, the Lone Star Geyser shares the spotlight with no one—hence the name. Start at the Lone Star Trailhead and keep right when you get to the junction with Spring Creek Trail. At the end of the trail, listen for the geyser’s sputtering sounds between eruptions and wait for the blast: Lone Star erupts every two to three hours, shooting water 30 to 50 feet overhead for up to 15 minutes.

Hayden Valley

Get an early start on this trail through bear country for the best chance of seeing wildlife—and to avoid the hot afternoon sun. Leave one car at the Wapiti Lake Trailhead parking area, then park a second vehicle by Fishing Bridge at the north end of Yellowstone Lake and start your expedition at the Fishing Bridge Trailhead. You’ll hike through the forest before reaching a viewpoint over the Yellowstone River and continuing through the open grasslands of Hayden Valley, where you’re likely to spot bison and coyotes and may even see a grizzly bear or wolf pack. Late in the hike, be prepared to ford Sour Creek—but know how to evaluate it for safety, as it can reach up to your waist in June and July.

Crevice Lake

Crevice Lake is a small and deep glimmering gem. Begin at the Blacktail Creek Trailhead, about seven miles east of Mammoth, where you’ll find a pullout for parking. On the trail, you’ll first pass one of the Blacktail Ponds, where sandhill cranes come to nest. Most of the hike takes you through open grassy terrain frequented by elk and bison. Eventually, you’ll descend about 1,000 feet, cross a suspension bridge above the Yellowstone River, and make your way through the forest to the lake. There are two campsites near the bridge if you want to stay overnight.

Heart Lake

Spend a night or two near the vast alpine waters of Heart Lake, which takes up 2,160 acres and reaches depths of 180 feet. Start this hike at the Heart Lake Trailhead, south of West Thumb on South Entrance Road. Along the way, you’ll traverse forest and meadows and pass steaming thermal areas. A viewpoint offers a vista of the lake and surrounding mountains. If you do stay overnight, plan to spend a day casting for cutthroat and lake trout or venturing up to the summit of Mount Sheridan.

Mount Sheridan

From the lookout at the top of Mount Sheridan, you can see it all: lakes and peaks in every direction, the Continental Divide, and the spectacular Teton Range to the south. Views like this are hard to come by, and in this case, the reward at the top requires a steep, heart-pumping climb. The trail from the shores of Heart Lake cuts through meadows and burned forest before zigzagging up to a steeper trail that takes you to the summit. In just three miles, you’ll climb a burly 2,700 feet. But for the hikers who are fit (and prepared) enough to tackle it, the reward is an unbeatable view.

Electric Peak

Just shy of 11,000 feet, Electric Peak is among the highest points in the park. It’s also known as one of the park’s toughest hikes and most impressive views. Best for experienced hikers, this hike starts at the Glen Creek Trailhead, just south of Mammoth Hot Springs. The trail is relatively flat for the first six miles or so, and then you begin your trek up a clearly defined trail on the mountain’s southeastern side. The trail becomes less defined as you go and gives way to loose scree. On the last stretch, you’ll need to carefully scramble and climb your way to the top. Take some time to soak in the view from the summit, where you can see the surrounding mountain peaks, including Terrace, Sepulcher, and Bunsen. To avoid afternoon thunderstorms, start early and aim to reach the summit by midday. You can also reserve a backcountry campsite to make this an overnight or multi-day trip.