Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park Photo Gallery

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Beaver Ponds Loop Trail
Round trip distance: 5 mile loop trail
Trail Description: The trail begins in Clematis Gulch between Liberty Cap and the stone house. It follows the creek up Clematis Gulch, climbing 350 feet through spruce and fir trees. The beaver ponds are reached after hiking 2.5 miles through open meadows of sage and stands of aspen. Mule deer, pronghorn antelope, moose, beaver dams and lodges, and occasionally bear may be sighted in the area. There are spectacular views as you wind your way back to Mammoth.

Bunsen Peak Trail
Round trip distance: 4 miles or 7-10 miles depending on side trips
Trail Description: The trail begins at the entrance of the Old Bunsen Peak Road Trait, five miles south of Mammoth toward Norris. The 1,300 foot climb to the summit provides a panoramic view of the Blacktail Plateau, Swan Lake Flats, Gallatin Mountains and the Yellowstone River Valley. Return by the same route or take the trail down the back side to Osprey Falls trailhead (about 2 miles) and return via the Old Bunsen Peak Road Trail. Or visit Osprey Falls (an additional 2.8 miles; see below). Please plan for the additional mileage.

Osprey Falls Trail
Round trip distance: 8 miles
Trail Description: The trail begins 5 miles south of Mammoth on the Old Bunsen Peak Road Trail. The trail follows this old roadbed for 2.5 miles through grassland and burnt forest. The Osprey Falls trail veers off the old road and follows the rim of the Sheepeater Canyon before descending a series of switchbacks to the bottom of Sheepeater Canyon. The Gardner River plunges over a 150 foot drop, forming Osprey Falls. Vertical cliffs rise 500 feet above you, making it one of the deepest canyons in Yellowstone.

Lava Creek Trail
One way distance: 3.5 miles
Trail Description: The trail begins across the bridge, to the north of Lava Creek picnic area on the Mammoth-Tower Road. It follows Lava Creek downstream past Undine Falls (50 feet), descending gradually. Lava Creek meets the Gardner River further downstream. The trail crosses a foot bridge on the Gardner River and terminates at the end of the service road located behind the Mammoth School (across from Mammoth Campground).

Rescue Creek Trail
One way distance: 8 miles
Trail Description: The trail begins at the Blacktail trailhead on the Mammoth-Tower Road, seven miles east of Mammoth. It follows the Blacktail Deer Creek trail for the first 3/4 mile until meeting Rescue Creek trail. The trail climbs gradually through aspens and open meadows before beginning a 1,400 foot descent to the Gardner River. The trail crosses a foot bridge over the river and ends one mile south of the North Entrance Station.

Sepulcher Mountain Trail
Round trip distance: 11 mile loop trail
Trail Description: The trail begins in Clematis Gulch between Liberty Cap and the stone house. It follows the Beaver Ponds trail to the Sepulcher Mountain trail junction. This trail rises 3,400 feet through pine trees and open meadows until the 9,652 foot summit of Sepulcher is reached. To complete the loop, continue along the opposite side of the mountain through a broad open slope to the junction of the Snow Pass trail. Continue down until you reach the junction with the Howard Eaton trial. This will lead you west of the Mammoth Terraces and back to your original trailhead.

Wraith Falls
Round trip distance: 1 mile
Trail Description: The trail begins at the pull off 1/4 mile east of Lava Creek Picnic area on the Mammoth-Tower Road. A short, easy hike through open sagebrush and pine-fir forest to the foot of Wraith Falls cascade on Lupine Creek.

Blacktail Deer Creek-Yellowstone River Trail
One way distance: 12.5 miles
Trail Description: The trail begins at the Blacktail trailhead on the Mammoth-Tower Road, seven miles east of Mammoth. It follows Blacktail Deer Creek as it descends 1,100 feet through rolling, grassy hills and Douglas fir where it reaches the Yellowstone River. The trail continues across the Yellowstone on a steel suspension bridge and joins the Yellowstone River trail. The trail continues down river, passing Knowles Falls and into arid terrain until it ends in Gardiner, Montana.