From front-country boardwalks that wind through geyser basins to backcountry trails that can take more than a week to traverse, Yellowstone is a hiker's dream.
Hiking a trail in Yellowstone National Park / Kurt Repanshek
To prepare for any of the 1,000+ miles (1,609 km) of hiking trails, there are dozens of guidebooks and maps out there for you to peruse for front country and backcountry trails.
Hikes Featured In The Traveler
Bechler River Trail
Thigh-deep in the strong, bracing currents of the Bechler River was not exactly what I expected when I set out to explore Yellowstone’s Cascade Corner. But at least it was mid-September, and not mid-July, when the torrent surely would have been colder, deeper, and stronger.
Read the rest of the story on this page.
Observation Point Trail
Often over-looked, perhaps because of its short distance or the many other opportunities to be found in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, the Observation Point Trail offers a quick, low-effort hike that rewards you with a grand view of the Old Faithful Geyser.
Read the rest of this story on this page.
Imperial And Spray Geysers Via Fairy Falls
A towering, wispy waterfall, one of Yellowstone National Park's tallest, and two backcountry geysers via the same trail? That's what you get when you leave the Fairy Falls Trailhead. This hike can be done in as few as two hours and reward you not only with that nearly 200-foot-tall waterfall, Fairy Falls, but with relative solitude (relative when compared to the park's front-country geyser basins, that is) to enjoy Spray and Imperial geysers.
Read the rest of the story on this page.
Monument Geyser Basin
Most visitors to Yellowstone National Park are familiar with the Upper, Lower, and Midway geyser basins, but how many these days have made the trek to a basin that once, thanks to its oddly shaped spires and acidic hot springs, was another must-see attraction for park visitors?
Read the rest of the story on this page.
Day Hikes in Yellowstone
The following areas are filled with day hikes. Click on each area to see the list of trails available to you, then click on a specific trail for more information.
Backcountry Travel
Backpackers on the Black Tail Deer Creek Trail, Yellowstone National Park / NPS - Jacob W. Frank
With 2.2 million acres within its borders, Yellowstone offers a lot of backcountry to explore. To help plan your trip, click here.
The Beyond Road's End brochure provides some excellent information on preparing for a backcountry trek in the park.
Yellowstone has a designated backcountry campsite system of 293 sites, and a Backcountry Use Permit is required for all overnight stays. Each designated campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night. The maximum stay per campsite varies from one to three nights per trip. Campfires are permitted only in established fire pits. Wood fires are not allowed in some backcountry campsites. A food storage pole is provided at most designated campsites so that food and attractants may be secured from bears. This interactive Backcountry Trails and Campsites map provides pertinent information for each backcountry campsite.
Hanging food while in the backcountry, Yellowstone National Park / NPS - Jacob W. Frank
During peak season (May 15 – October 31), backcountry permits are available online in advance or in person during the walk-up period. Advance reservations are available at Recreation.gov during the Early Access Lottery and General On-Sale period. Walk-up permits are available in person at a backcountry office up to 2 days prior to start of trip.
During non-peak season (November 1 – May 14), backcountry permits for the non-peak season are available online at Recreation.gov starting October 6, or in person no more than two days prior to your trip at the South Entrance (mid-December to mid-March). After reserving a permit on Recreation.gov, contact the Central Backcountry Office to have your permit issued. Permits may be printed or downloaded at home within 5 days of the trip start date after receiving a backcountry orientation from the backcountry office staff. Visit the Winter Backcountry Camping page for more information regarding obtaining a backcountry permit during the winter season.
Yellowstone’s Backcountry Conditions page provides not only the current condition for each backcountry campsite, but also general information, backcountry offices and hours, and area condition details. The Backcountry Use Permit is valid only for the itinerary and dates specified. Backcountry travelers must have their permits in possession while in the backcountry.
Advance Reservations for Backcountry Campsites
Established because the high demand for a backcountry campsite exceeded capacity during peak periods, the Early Access Lottery is based on a randomized process to provide an equal opportunity for each applicant to be selected. Successful applicants are granted early access to reservations, with the earliest access having more options to secure a reservation for popular areas. The Early Access Lottery application fee is $10, non-refundable and is charged regardless of success. For 2024, the Early Access Lottery reservation window was March 1 - 20, so if you wish to apply for this lottery, keep checking the park's backcountry page for 2025 dates.
Per Recreation.gov:
To apply [for the Early Access Lottery], you will submit your basic contact information, not a trip itinerary.
Successful applicants are granted early access to reservations to build their trip itinerary. Those with the earliest access have more options to secure a reservation for popular areas. Lottery participants with later access may not have access to their preferred itinerary but can create an alternate trip using available campsites.
Successful applicants are provided a date and time that their individual access window opens. Applicants may create a reservation at any time after their access window opens. Participants are limited to a single reservation during the early access period but may create additional reservations beginning April 26 [2025 TBD]. Large groups needing multiple campsites each night will need to submit separate applications with unique trip leaders.
Walk-Up Permits
Walk-up backcountry permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis in person at a Yellowstone Backcountry Office and are payable by debit or credit card. Hikers can obtain these permits up to 2 days prior to the start date of your trip. Walk-up Permits cannot be issued over the phone or online through Recreation.gov.
Backcountry Permit Fees
Aside from the Early Access Lottery application fee, there is a $10 reservation fee plus a $5 per person per night recreation fee. The recreation fee and reservation fees are charged year-round for permits secured through Recreation.gov or in-person at a backcountry office (fees are payable by debit or credit card). The $10 reservation fee is charged for all permits except those acquired during the Early Access Lottery.
For detailed backcountry camping information and helpful links, click here.
