Index Map of Trails
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Fairy Falls, 200 feet (61 meters) high, is one of Yellowstone's most spectacular waterfalls. The best access is located between Biscuit Basin and Midway Geyser Basin. Look for a paved road going off of the main road to the west one mile south of the Midway Geyser Basin parking lot. A small sign marked Fairy Falls is located at the spur road entrance. Park at the trail head parking lot and hike north on the gravel service road a little more than, 1.0 Mile (1.6 km). The trail then goes left (west) to the base of the falls.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
The trailhead is about 2.0 miles (3.2 km) north of Old Faithful at Biscuit Basin. The actual trail starts near Avoca Spring at the west end of the boardwalk. Mystic Falls, a 70-foot (21-m) cascading waterfall, is about 0.7 mile (1. 1 km) from the trailhead. T'he trail to the falls parallels, but does not cross, the Little Firehole River. Near the falls, the trail climbs a steep series of switchbacks for an excellent view of the top of the falls. To make a loop hike (0.2 miles (0.3 km) further; (elevation gain/loss of 500 feet (152 m)) continue on the trail above the switchbacks until it meets the Little Firehole Meadows Trail. At this junction the trail back to Biscuit Basin turns right, descends to an overlook of Old Faithful, and continues downhill to rejoin the Mystic Falls Trail.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
The trailhead is just east of the Kepler Cascades pullout, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of the Old Faithful overpass on the Old Faithful-West Thumb road. This level trail and bicycle path (off-trail biking is illegal) follows an old service road along the Firehole River to the geyser (Note: biking is not permitted beyond the geyser). Lone Star Geyser erupts about every three hours from its 9 foot (2.7 m) high cone. Eruptions are 30-45 feet (9-14 m) high. If you witness an erupfion, please report it at the Old Faithful Visitor Center.
GRANT VILLAGE AREA
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Starting at the trailhead sign at DeLacy Creek, 8.8 miles (14.2 km) west of the West Thumb Junction, the trail runs along the forest edge and through open meadows to the shores of Yellowstone's largest backcountry lake.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
The trail begins at a trailhead marker near the entrance to the West Thumb Geyser Basin parking area and climbs through a mountain meadow to a commanding view of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake and the suffoundmg Absaroka Mountanis. This trail is mostly level, with a moderately strenuous 400 foot (121 m) elevation gain near the overlook.
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
The trailhead is about 3.0 miles south of Grant Village Junction, just south of the Continental Divide sign. This fairly level trail crosses the Con tinental Divide and runs through forest and marshy meadows to the shores of a picturesque little lake. Bear Management Area: Trail opens July 15.
FISHING BRIDGE-LAKE AREA
Level of Difficulty: Moderate / Difficult
Starting at a turnout 1.0 mile (1.6 km) south of Fishing Bridge, this tail climbs 1.0 mile (1.6 km) through a lodgepole pine forest before reaching a junction. At this point either trail leads, in another 0.5 mile (0.8 km), to a panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake, Pelican Valley and the Absaroka Mountains.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Starting at the west end of the Pelican Creek bridge, 1.0 mile (1.6 km) east of the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center, this diverse, easy trail travels through a forest, along the Yellowstone Lake shore, and acrosss a marshy area via boardwalks. Look for wildlife.
Level of Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Starting at a large turnout at Indian Pond, 3.0 miles (4.8 km) east of the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center, this level loop crosses meadow and forest before reaching the tip of Storin Point, from which you will find expansive views of Yellowstone Lake and surrounding mountains. The trail continues along the lakeshore and through a lodgepole forest before rejoining the road.
CANYON AREA
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Starting at the Wapiti trailhead on the South Rim Drive to Artist Point (about 2..0 miles (3.2 km.) south on the south Rim drive to Artist Point (about 2.0 miles (3.2 km) south of Canyon Junction on the Canyon to Lake road), this relatively level trail winds through meadows and forest and passes by several lovely backcountry lakes - Clear Lake, Lillypad Lake and Ribbon Lake. The trail can be hiked as far as Clear Lake (3.0 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip) or Lillypad Lake (4.0 miles (6.4 km.) roundtrip for a shorter walk. Total distance around the loop is 6 miles (9.7km.).
Level of Difficulty: Easy
The shortest trail in to Cascade Lake starts at the Cascade Lake Trail Picnic Area 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of Canyon Junction on the Canyon-Tower road. After approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 km), the trail conects with the Cascade Creek Trail and continues to the lake. Total distance is 2.2 miles (3.5 km.). Another route begins at the Cascade Creek Trailhead about 0.5 (0.8 km) west of Canyon Junction on the Canyon-Nonis road. This trail follows Cascade Creek to Cascade Lake, a distance of 2.5 miles (4.0 km).
Level of Difficulty: Somewhat Strenuous
Two trails lead to the top of Mt. Washburn (10,243feet (3,107 m)), from which you will discover a panoramic view of about 20-50 miles (32-80 km) in all directions. On clear days, the Teton Range south of Yellowstone can be seen. During July, wildflowers carpet the slopes. The southern trail starts at the Dunraven Pass picnic area trailhead and the northern trail starts at the Chittenden Road parking area. Both trails climb steadily about 1,400 feet (425 m) and are 3.0 miles (4.8 km) long one way. Caution: carry an extra layer of warm clothing and wind / rain gear, water, energy food and sunscreen are also recommended. Conditions at the summit are typically colder and windier than at the trailheads and afternoon storms are common.
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS AREA
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
The trail begins in Clematis Gulch between Liberty Cap and the stone residence. It follows Clematis Creek, climbing 350 feet (107 m) through spruce and fir trees. The beaver ponds are reached after hiking 2.5 miles (4.0 km) through open meadows of sage and stands of Douglas fir and aspen. Beavers are generally active only in the early moniing or evening. You are more likely to see evidence of their presence - a lodge, gnawed treesrather than the critters themselves.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
The trail begins at a pullout 0.2 miles (0.3 km) east of the Lava Creek Picnic Area on the Mammoth toTower road. This short, easy trail pases through open sagebrush and pine and fir forest to the base of the 79-foot (24 m) falls.
TOWER ROOSEVELT AREA
Level of Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
The trail starts behind roosevelt Lodge and climbs through forested hillsides to a trail junction. Veering right (west), the trail reaches Lost Lake in 0.2 miles (0.3) km.). From there follow the trail around a hill to the Petrified Tree and Petrified Tree parking area. The trail leaves the parking lot at the northeast corner and continues through open sage hill tops and then descends to the Tower Ranger Station. Roosevelt Lodge is a 0.2 mile (0.3 km. walk from the Ranger Station.
Level of Difficulty: Somewhat strenuous uphill climb back from the base of the falls
Starting at the parking area for the Tower Fall General Store, this trail leads approximately 100 yards to an overlook of the falls. From there it descends 200 feet (60 m.) via a series of switchbacks to the base of the 132 foot (40m.) fall, where the view is even more dramatic.
Level of Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
Begin at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Tower Junction on the Northeast Entance road. A spectacular view of the northernmost span of the Grand Canyon and the Yellowstone River is found on this easy trail which parallels the canyon for most of the trail's length.
LAMAR VALLEY AREA
Level of Difficulty: Easy / Moderate
The trail starts on the gravel access road to Sough Creek Carnpground, then climbs through stands of Douglas-fir to an open area where there is a good view of Cutoff Mountain. It then decends to the broad open valley of Slough Creek and the "first meadow".
Level of difficulty: Easy
The trail starts from a small pullout about 1.5 miles (2.4 km.) south of Pebble Creek Campground on the Northeast Entrance road and then climbs about 150 feet (45m.) through Douglas fir to the lake.