Abandoned Railroad Bed Bike Trail
An abandoned railroad bed located near the north entrance of Yellowstone makes a beautiful bike trail.
2-4 Hours Summer, Fall Pets allowed
National Park · ID, MT, WY
Things to do in Yellowstone
The National Park Service lists 88 things to do at Yellowstone National Park. 87 have no extra fee, 85 need no reservation, and 3 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Avalanche Peak Trail
Experience one of the most strenuous day hikes in the park and be rewarded with stunning views of some of the park’s tallest and most remote alpine peaks.
3-4 Hours Summer, Fall
Bannock Ski Trail
The Bannock Ski Trail is a 2 mile (3.2 km) easy ski that follows the old road bed that once used to supply the mining town of Cooke City, Montana.
1-2 Hours Winter
Barronette Ski Trail
The Barronette Trail is an easy 3.5 mile (5.6 km) one-way section of the Old Cooke City road and winds through conifer forest.
1-2 Hours Winter
Beaver Ponds Trail
Hike through forests, meadows of sage, and stands of Douglas-fir and aspen on your way to beaver ponds. You might see beavers or their sign, but you are more likely to see muskrats and water birds.
2-5 Hours Year-round
Bighorn Loop Ski Trail
The Bighorn Loop Ski Trail is a 5.5 mile (8.85 km), easy to more difficult trail taking skiers on a loop through rolling terrain with outstanding winter landscape views.
2-3 Hours Winter
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Bighorn Pass Ski Trail
The Bighorn Pass Ski Trail provides a variety of options for skiers to experience the northwest area of Yellowstone National Park.
8-10 Hours Winter
Black Butte Ski Trail
The Black Butte Ski Trail is a 14 mile (22.6 km) roundtrip ski that follows Black Butte Creek and offers mountain views.
10-14 Hours Winter
Blacktail Deer Creek to Yellowstone River Trail
Follow Blacktail Deer Creek as it descends through rolling, grassy hills and Douglas-fir forest to a suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River.
4-5 Hours Spring, Summer, Fall
Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail
The Blacktail Plateau Ski Trail is an easiest to more difficult 8 mile (12.8 km) one-way ski with two trailhead options. This trail travels open meadows and forests with great wildlife viewing opportunities in winter.
2-3 Hours Winter
Brink of the Lower Falls Trail
Descend to the brink of the Lower Falls on this steep trail to catch a glimpse of one of Yellowstone's greatest wonders.
Summer, Fall
Bunsen Peak Loop Bike Trail
The Bunsen Peak Loop is a ten mi (16 km) bike trail that circles Bunsen Peak.
4-6 Hours Summer, Fall
Bunsen Peak Trail
Climb to the top of this igneous peak for panoramic views of Swan Lake Flats, the Gallatin Mountain Range, and the Mammoth Hot Springs area.
2-3 Hours Summer, Fall
Canyon Rim Ski Trail
The Canyon Rim Ski Trail is a 4.5 mile (7.24 km), easiest to more difficult forested trail that takes skiers along the Canyon Rim providing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
2-3 Hours Winter
Cascade Lake Trail
Hike through open meadows to Cascade Lake where wildflowers abound and wildlife is often seen.
2-3 Hours Summer, Fall
Chittenden Loop Ski Trail
The Chittenden Loop Ski Trail is an easiest to more difficult 5.3 mile (8.3 km) loop providing views of Mount Washburn on clear days.
4-5 Hours Winter
Chittenden Road - Mount Washburn Trail
Head up the shortest route to the top of Mount Washburn where you can enjoy panoramic views and interpretive exhibits.
3-5 Hours Summer, Fall
DeLacy Creek Trail
Hike along a forest’s edge and through open meadows to the shores of Yellowstone’s largest backcountry lake. Look for sandhill cranes, moose, and water birds.
3-5 Hours Summer, Fall
Duck Lake Trail
Climb a small hill for a view of Duck and Yellowstone lakes and the expanse of the 1988 fires that swept through this area.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail
Starting at the Dunravenn Pass Trailhead you ascend Mount Washburn on a trail with spectacular views. The Mount Washburn Trail and trailhead parking lot at Dunraven Pass will close for improvements August 6-27, 2019.
3-6 Hours Summer, Fall
Elephant Back Mountain Trail
Hike to the top of this mountain for panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake and the surrounding area.
2-3 Hours Summer, Fall
Explore the Fort Yellowstone Historic District
From 1886 to 1918, the US Army managed Yellowstone National Park. Starting in 1890, the US Army constructed Fort Yellowstone as a more permanent base of operations.
45-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Fairy Falls Ski Trail
The Fairy Falls Ski Trail is a 10 mile (16 km) (with ski drop) skier-tracked, round-trip, easiest to more dificult ski that provides icy views of one of Yellowstone's most popular waterfalls.
6-8 Hours Winter Reservation required
Fairy Falls Trail
Enjoy a hike to one of Yellowstone's most spectacular waterfalls.
3-5 Hours Winter, Summer, Fall
Fawn Pass Ski Trail
The Fawn Pass Ski Trail is an 11 mile (17.7 km), one-way, more difficult ski trail that provides skiers with wide open views of the Gallatin Range.
6-8 Hours Winter
Forces of the Northern Range Self-guided Trail
Follow this self-guided trail along a boardwalk that winds through the grassland of Yellowstone's northern range.
30-60 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall
Fountain Freight Road Bike Trail
Six miles north of Old Faithful, bikes are allowed on the Fountain Freight Road, an old dirt and gravel road now closed to autos.
2-4 Hours Summer, Fall
Fountain Paint Pot Trail
Explore the four major types of hydrothermal features along this short, popular, boardwalk trail.
30-45 Minutes Winter, Summer, Fall
Garnet Hill Trail
Follow a stagecoach route on a meadow journey around Garnet Hill. The full route cannot be hiked due to a trail washout refer to Backcountry Conditions report.
4-5 Hours Year-round
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Look out across the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or take in the beauty of the Yellowstone River and its waterfalls.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
Hike up to an overlook of Grand Prismatic Spring.
1-2 Hours Winter, Summer, Fall
Grebe Lake Trail
Hike along an old fire road through meadows and forest, some of which burned in 1988.
3-4 Hours Summer, Fall
Harlequin Lake Trail
Follow the gentle, uphill trail to a small lake.
30-60 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall
Hellroaring Trail
Descend down to the Yellowstone River, then continue on through a sagebrush plateau to Hellroaring Creek.
3-5 Hours Summer, Fall
Howard Eaton Trail (Canyon Area)
Choose your destination on this trail that passes by four lakes, as you hike through forests, meadows, and marshes.
5-6 Hours Summer, Fall
Howard Eaton Trail (Old Faithful Area)
Hike up a burned hill, continue through spruce-fir forest, and then down to Lone Star Geyser.
3-5 Hours Winter, Summer, Fall
Lava Creek Trail
Follow Lava Creek, seeing Undine Falls and the junction with Gardner River.
2-3 Hours Year-round
Lewis River Channel/Dogshead Trail
Hike through forest to the crystal-clear waters of the Lewis River Channel. Look for eagles and osprey fishing for trout in the shallow waters.
5-8 Hours Summer, Fall
Lone Star Geyser Bike Trail
The trailhead for Lone Star Geyser is east of Kepler Cascades pull-out, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of Old Faithful overpass on Grand Loop Road.
2-4 Hours Summer, Fall
Lone Star Geyser Trail
Hike this pleasant, partially paved trail beside the Firehole River to Lone Star Geyser.
2-3 Hours Winter, Summer, Fall
Lost Lake Ski Trail
The Lost Lake Ski Trail is a 4 mile (6.4 km) easiest to more difficult one-way trail that takes skiers by Petrified Tree, Lost Lake, and Calcite Springs Overlook.
3-4 Hours Winter
Lost Lake Trail
Hike along a trail that offers views of Lost Lake, waterfowl, sagebrush hilltops, wildflowers, possibly beavers, and quite often black bears.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Mallard Lake Ski Trail
The Mallard Lake Ski Trail is a 6.8 mile (10.9 km) round-trip, skier-tracked, more difficult trail taking skiers on a steep climb to views of Mallard Lake.
5-6 Hours Winter
Mallard Lake Trail
Cross the Firehole River, pass Pipeline Hot Springs, and climb rolling hills of partially-burned lodgepole pine and open, rocky areas to Mallard Lake.
3-6 Hours Winter, Summer, Fall
Mammoth Hot Springs Trails
Wander around large travertine terraces, built by ever-shifting hot springs.
30-90 Minutes Year-round
Mount Washburn Bike Trail
Between Canyon Village and Tower Junction hardy cyclists can ride three miles to the top of Mount Washburn. Access is from the Chittenden Road parking area to the summit of Mount Washburn.
2-5 Hours Summer
Mount Washburn Spur Trail
A long hike from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and up the east side of Mount Washburn.
8-10 Hours Summer, Fall
Mud Volcano Trail
A loop trail leads you by turbulent pools of hot, muddy water; hillsides strewn with trees cooked by steam; strange odors; and a bizarre landscape—welcome to the Mud Volcano area.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Mystic Falls Trail
Follow a lovely creek through mixed conifer forest to Mystic Falls, over which the Little Firehole River drops from the Madison Plateau.
2-4 Hours Winter, Summer, Fall
Natural Bridge Bike Trail
The Natural Bridge bike trail is 2.5 mi (4km) round-trip ride and begins just south of the Bridge Bay marina off the Grand Loop Road.
2-3 Hours Summer, Fall
Natural Bridge Trail
Hike through a forest and along an old service road to a natural bridge, which was cut out of a cliff of rhyolite rock by Bridge Creek.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
Norris Geyser Basin Trails
Norris Geyser Basin is one of the hottest and most acidic of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas. It is part of one of the world’s largest active volcanoes. Many hot springs and fumaroles here have temperatures above the boiling point (200ºF / 93ºC).
30-90 Minutes Spring, Summer, Fall
North Rim Ski Trail
The North Rim Ski Trail is a 3.0 (7.24 km), easiest to more difficult forested trail that takes skiers along the North Canyon Rim providing views into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
2-3 Hours Winter
Observation Peak Trail
Hike to a high mountain peak for an outstanding view of the Yellowstone wilderness.
5-6 Hours Summer, Fall
Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail
The Observation Point Loop Snowshoe Trail is a 2.0 mile (3.2 km) snowshoe only trail that treats visitors to unobstructed views of the Upper Geyser Basin and the Firehole River.
1-2 Hours Winter
Observation Point Trail
Head up switchbacks to a commanding view of the Upper Geyser Basin.
1-3 Hours Year-round
Old Canyon Bridge Ski Trail
The Old Canyon Bridge Ski Trail is a flat 1 mile (1.6 km) easiest ski that provides skiers a short but beautiful way to see the Yellowstone River in winter.
1-2 Hours Winter Reservation required
Old Faithful Lower General Store to Morning Glory Pool Bike Trail
The paved trail in front of Old Faithful Lodge runs all the way to Morning Glory Pool. Take this short, (2 mi. round-trip) fairly level, paved-path and make stops to see geysers.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
Old Lake Road Bike Trail
The old roadbed near the lakeshore between Lake Hotel and where the roadbed joins the main road south of Lake Junction (1 mile) has a great views of the Yellowstone Lake.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall Pets allowed
Osprey Falls Trail
Walk along an old service road through meadows before descending into one of the deepest canyons in the park to see Osprey Falls plunge over the edge of an old lava flow.
4-6 Hours Summer, Fall
Pebble Creek Ski Trail
The Pebble Creek Ski Trail is a 13 mile (21 km) most difficult, round-trip ski that offers skilled backcountry skiers challenging terrain and beautiful views.
8-10 Hours Winter
Pelican Creek Nature Trail
Introduce yourself to a diverse assortment of Yellowstone habitats and look for birds while hike this loop trail through a forest to the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
30-60 Minutes Summer, Fall
Pelican Valley Trail
Hike through forests, meadows, and a river valley—all of which are some of the best grizzly bear country in the lower 48 states.
3-4 Hours Summer, Fall
Purple Mountain Trail
Hike up Purple Mountain for panoramic views of the GIbbon and Madison Rivers.
3-5 Hours Summer, Fall
Rescue Creek Trail
Climb gradually through aspens and meadows, then descend through forests to sagebrush flats that lead to a footbridge across the Gardner River.
4-6 Hours Year-round
Ribbon Lake Trail
Take a stroll out to Ribbon Lake, also passing by Lily Pad and Clear lakes.
3-4 Hours Summer, Fall
Riddle Lake Trail
Hike through small mountain meadows and forests to the shores of a picturesque little lake. Look for elk in the meadows and for birds near the lake.
2-4 Hours Summer, Fall
Ride a snowmobile or snowcoach in Yellowstone
Get a taste of what snowmobiling or riding a snowcoach in Yellowstone is like.
Winter Reservation required Fee applies
Snowmobiling
Riverside Bike Trail
Just inside the park's West Entrance, bicyclists can travel on the Riverside trail located just north of and paralleling the main Grand Loop Road. This trail gives access to a section of the Madison River.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
Riverside Ski Trail
The Riverside Ski Trail provides several easy options to ski along the Madison River and enjoy views of both the Gallatin and Madison mountain ranges.
1-3 Hours Winter
Roller Coaster Ski Trail
The Roller Coaster Ski Trail is a more difficult 1.8 mile (2.9 km) roundtrip forested trail taking skiers on a rolling course with several steep drop-offs.
1-2 Hours Winter
Sentinel Meadows & Queen’s Laundry Trail
Follow the Firehole River and cross meadows until reaching a hydrothermal area. Look for the large sinter mounds of hot springs and the remains of the old, incomplete bathhouse.
2-4 Hours Winter, Summer, Fall
Sepulcher Mountain Trail
Climb to the summit of Sepulcher Mountain while keeping an eye out for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and moose along the way.
6-8 Hours Summer, Fall
Seven Mile Hole Trail
Hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, enjoy views of Silver Cord Cascade, and then descend to Seven Mile Hole.
5-8 Hours Summer, Fall
Sheepeater Ski Trail
The Sheepeater Ski Trail is a skier-tracked, easy, one-way 5 mile (8 km) trail that provides scenic views of Swan Lake Flats.
2-3 Hours Winter
Slough Creek Trail
Follow a historic wagon trail that heads toward the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness beyond Yellowstone.
2-5 Hours Summer, Fall
Snow Pass Ski Trail
The Snow Pass Ski Trail is a 4.2 mile (6.76 km), skier-tracked, one-way, easiest to most-difficult, ski that takes skiers through a steep heavily forested area to a semi-flat wide open area with views of Swan Lake Flats.
2-3 Hours Winter
Specimen Ridge Day Hike Trail
Hike up to a ridge for magnificent views of Slough Creek Valley and the Absaroka Range.
2-4 Hours Summer, Fall
Storm Point Trail
Pass by Indian Pond and through a forest to the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Along the way, look for marmots in the rocky area near Storm Point.
1-2 Hours Summer, Fall
Tower Fall Ski Trail
The Tower Fall Ski Trail is a 5.0 mile (8 km) round-trip easiest trail that allows skiers to enjoy canyon views of the Yellowstone River and Tower Fall.
2-3 Hours Winter
Trout Lake Trail
Enjoy a short hill climb through Douglas-fir forest to Trout Lake.
1-2 Hours Year-round
Watch and Listen to a Geyser
Experiencing the sights and sounds of geysers is a feast for the senses, whether they erupt or are between eruptions.
5-120 Minutes Year-round
Watch Old Faithful Geyser Erupt
Old Faithful Geyser is the world's best known geyser. Its eruption intervals have varied from 40 to 126 minutes.
30-90 Minutes Year-round
West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail
Stroll through a geyser basin of colorful hot springs and dormant lakeshore geysers situated on the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake.
30-60 Minutes Summer, Fall
Wraith Falls Trail
Cross sagebrush meadows, marshland, and mixed conifer forest to the base of Wraith Falls on Lupine Creek.
30-60 Minutes Year-round
Yancey's Hole Ski Trail
The Yancey's Hole Ski Trail is a 2.0 mile (3.2 km) easiest ski trail with rolling terrain and wide open views of the Yancey's Hole area.
1-2 Hours Winter
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Hike to a high mountain meadow for a commanding view of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake and the distant Absaroka Mountains.
1-3 Hours Summer, Fall
Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail
Follow the rim of the Yellowstone River valley, enjoying views of bighorn sheep, the Narrows of the Yellowstone, Overhanging Cliff, and the towers of Tower Falls.
2-3 Hours Summer, Fall
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Yellowstone. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
- Grand Teton National Park (WY)
- Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve (ID)
- Pony Express National Historic Trail (CA, CO, KS, MO, NE, NV, UT, WY)
- California National Historic Trail (CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, NE, NV, OR, UT, WY)
- Oregon National Historic Trail (ID, KS, MO, NE, OR, WA, WY)
- Fossil Butte National Monument (WY)
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Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Yellowstone National Park — things to do on nps.gov