Yellowstone Day Hikes

There are endless opportunities for day hiking in Yellowstone. The Park Service website lists recommended Yellowstone day hikes in each area on its interactive map, you can get information from Visitor Centers and there are a plethora of books you can buy.

If you want to go on a hike in a group or with a guide there are several companies who are licensed to lead Yellowstone day hikes. We have never been on a guided hike but plan to next time we visit having seen several in progress – it is a great way to find out more about the Park and to see things you may otherwise have missed. For a list of licensed operators visit

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hikebusn.htm

I have 3 favourite day hikes in Yellowstone – Mount Washburn, Bunsen Peak and various trails at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

The hike to the top of the 10,243 foot Mount Washburn involves approximately 1,400 feet of vertical ascent and a 6 mile round trip. I like the (very popular) route from the car park at Dunraven Pass but if you can’t get parked there try the alternate route from the car park on old Chittenden Road. It is a lovely hike to the summit and it is the best place to get a panoramic view of the Park on a clear day. You must ensure you have wet weather gear and warm clothes if you do this hike. I have happily stood around in the car park wearing shorts and a tee shirt only to get snowed on at the summit.

Bunsen Peak involves a lovely, gradual 1,300 foot ascent from the trailhead on the Mammoth – Norris Road. If you go up and back down on the same route, it is a 4 mile round trip. I prefer come down the back of the peak and join up with the Bunsen Road Trail at the bottom with the junction of the Osprey Falls Trail. This hike tends to attract fewer people than Mount Washburn and gives brilliants view of the Yellowstone River Valley from the summit.

The other hike which for me is a must do is to tackle any of the trails around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. If you only walk a couple of miles along one of the rims you will suddenly leave all the crowds behind and enter a much quieter world with the same fabulous views. It is also well worth the exertion to undertake the 600 feet decent to the Brink of the Lower Falls on the North Rim and the shorter but steeper (328 steps) Uncle Tom’s Trail on the South Rim.