Top Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
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Top 10 Hiking Trails in Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is a national treasure. Located primarily in Wyoming, the park also extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone has active geothermal features with geysers and boiling mud pots throughout the park. The most famous is Old Faithful, a geyser that has erupted on the clock for decades. Travelers be warned, July is the busiest month of the year, with almost a million visitors alone. The park has a tour bus system, nine visitor centers, and 2,000 campsites.
1. Artist Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,292 reviews
Reviewed By Tommy599 - Two Rivers, United States
We crossed Chittenden bridge across the Yellowstone river; stopping first at Uncle Toms to view the smaller upper Falls, then on to Artist Point to view the MAGNIFICENT lower falls and the unbelievable colors of the canyon. It is IMPOSSIBLE to describe the majesty of this waterfall and canyon colors, so we will not even try,
2. Osprey Falls Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By TractorDoc76 - Ashland, United States
The trail down into the canyon consists of many switchbacks -- some rather steep. Going down is not so bad. . . just remember you have to climb back up! I hiked down to Osprey Falls after making my way down the backside of Bunsen Peak. The Falls tickle all the senses. . . the sound of water crashing down the rock face, the feel of mist on your skin, the smell of wet earth and pine, the sight of the falls themselves, and the taste. . . of my trailside lunch as I sat with the falls to myself for about an hour. :) Osprey Falls is a stunning backcountry spectacle that you will likely have to yourself should you make the effort to reach it. While not as voluminous as the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone Osprey is much more intricate. . . and can be experienced on a much more personal level. Climbing back out of the canyon can get warm on sunny afternoons. Luckily several small trees provided some shade while catching a breather on the way up. The walk back to the trailhead followed an old roadway in mostly open terrain -- about halfway back a great view of the Canyon and Gardiner River are visible to the South.
3. Avalanche Peak Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By DQShaw - York, United States
Great hike with amazing views. It is moderate to strenuous and you need to be prepared with the right hiking boots. Bring water, food, give yourself enough time to enjoy the hike and bring bear bells. We didn't see any bears this time but just down the road closer to the East Entrance we saw three grizzly bears.
4. Natural Bridge Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By DQShaw - York, United States
Easy three mile round trip to see this natural arch. This is a leisurely stroll through the forest and alongside a meadow. The hike begins at the Bridge Bay Marina parking area. We went early in the morning and they were very few people around. Didn't see any bear signs, but we carried bear spray and wore bear bells to be safe.
5. Clear Lake Artist's Point Loop Trail
6. Observation Point Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
The perfect spot to view Old Faithful from a distance.
Reviewed By jesseo582 - Jackson, United States
It’s so close to the developed area yet gets you deeper into Yellowstone for such little extra effort! Call the geyser recorded line to coordinate Old Faithful’s eruption with your time up there. Solitary Geyser, down the trail, won’t make you wait more than eight minutes but you may have to try again to get a photo, there’s only one brief warning splash then sploosh it’s over! Warning, some of the reviews to follow are not of this attraction, I don’t know what they were thinking. One is Mt. Sheridan where there’s a fire lookout, though they underreport I’m the mileage, and another is at Canyon.
7. Lone Star Geyser
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 130 reviews
Famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
Reviewed By lillians594
I loved the steam phase, it was really cool! Also, it never stopped, or, at least that's what it seemed like.
8. Pelican Valley Trail
9. Heart Lake Loop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Scenic hiking trail surrounding a beautiful lake: great for hikers and anglers alike.
Reviewed By TractorDoc76 - Ashland, United States
I spent several nights at one of Heart Lake's backcountry campsites in September 2020. On one of my days there I took a hike around the lake with several travelling companions. My "Heart Lake Loop" was a bit different as we took an off trail route for a total of about 11 miles. The trail down the West Side of the lake provides excellent views of Mount Sheridan and Heart Lake itself. Our South side trail was mostly woodland and the occasional shore view culminating with a crossing of the Heart River. The trail up the East side passes thru mostly new growth (since '88) forest and passes by large amounts of downfall. The final part of the hike across the North Shore walks along the gravelly shore of the lake. All parts of the hike were enjoyable. . . even if the West side was just a touch of a tree prison. ;)
10. Trout Lake Trail
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