Top Ten Hikes for Families in Yellowstone National Park

Lone Star is a spectacular and easy-to-reach backcountry geyser (Bryan Oettel)

Comment On This Article

Add to My Favorites

Old Faithful/Firehole Valley, 4.6 miles round-trip

The trailhead is located just south of Kepler Cascades, a few miles past Old Faithful. This five-mile route is partly paved and level, so mark this as one of the easier trails you will find in the park. Nevertheless, it's a lovely hike that winds along the picturesque Firehole River, with plenty of chances for bison and elk spotting. The reward is one of the more spectacular geysers in the area—Lone Star Geyser, which erupts about every 3 hours; 30-50 foot eruptions emanate from its 12-foot cone, followed by a roaring steam phase.