Yellowstone National Park is a place unlike any other. It is filled with incredible wildlife, waterfalls, the world’s largest collection of geysers, etc. One of the best ways to see it all is by hiking. After all, Yellowstone has over 900 miles of hiking trails. And, believe it or not, many of the easy hikes in Yellowstone National Park allow you to see some of Yellowstone’s most coveted possessions. Did you know that Yellowstone National Park has over 10,000 thermal features?
Yellowstone, while beautiful, is full of hydrothermal areas – Many of these areas have a very unpleasant smell. That being said, these trails in Yellowstone are not to be missed.
Tips & Tricks – Easy Hikes in Yellowstone
- Yellowstone is busy. Tackle your must-do’s as early as possible or you’ll regret it.
- Bear spray is a must!
- Yellowstone is HUGE! Make sure that you plan accordingly. Group your hikes together based on the area of Yellowstone they are in. Driving from one side of the park to another can take a long time especially when you factor in wildlife blocking roads.
- Water! Stay hydrated. Hydration backpacks are a lifesaver (for real).
- Keep your distance from wildlife.
- If you see a group of people looking at something. Pull over and ask what they see, and they will happily tell you.
- The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is in late spring/early summer to fall.
- Get an America the Beautiful Pass. For $80 you & your family can get into any national park for a year. *Families of 4th graders get in free with the Every Kid Outdoor Program.
Map of Best Easy Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
1. Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Overlook
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.5 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 200 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States. This trail is not to be missed. The Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail offers one of the best panoramic views of the stunning Grand Prismatic. While this trail is easy, it does have a gradual incline on your way to the overlook. Keep your eyes peeled, there’s a good chance you may see some bison.
* This hike starts at Fairy Falls Trailhead.
2. West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.0 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 59 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
The West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail is genuinely breathtaking. It overlooks Yellowstone Lake. If you look close enough you can see hot springs and hydrothermal vents offshore.
3. Fairy Falls Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 4.8 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 170 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
Fairy Falls Trail is an easy hike that will lead you through the lodgepole pine forest to a spectacular waterfall. Fairy Falls is a sight to be seen as this fall drops 200 ft. The Fairy Falls trailhead is located in the Fairy Falls parking lot about a mile south of the Midway Geyser Basin.
*The Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail also uses a portion of Fairy Falls Trail.
4. Mammoth Terraces
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 324 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
Mammoth Terraces is a boardwalk trail with some stairs. As you walk around the boardwalk you will find various viewpoints of Mammoth Hot Springs. When you are finished exploring Mammoth Terraces, Drive the scenic Upper Terrace Loop Drive.
5. Midway Geyser Basin Trail (Grand Prismatic Boardwalk)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.7 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 55 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
Midway Geyser Basin Trail (Grand Prismatic Boardwalk) will take you right up to the Grand Prismatic. Spoiler Alert – it is beautiful and EVERYONE walks this trail. This means that the small parking lot fills fast. Not to mention the number of people walking the narrow boardwalk (without rails) can make it nerve-wracking while trying to navigate around the crowds. Falling in the Grand Prismatic does not sound fun. That being said, get there very EARLY to enjoy this beauty in peace.
We did not get there early. Parking was a nightmare and nearly impossible. When we finally got parking, navigating the boardwalk was a nightmare. At one point, we were stuck in a traffic jam and someone decided to plow through, while doing so they nearly knocked my son and at least 3 other people right into the Grand Prismatic. So please be curtious and aware of how your actions may effect other people.
6. Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.7 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 19 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail is a boardwalk that will take you by multiple geysers & hopefully some bison too. Don’t leave without watching Old Faithful erupt. Check with the visitor center for accurate eruption times. It’s magical. Arrive early if you plan on watching Old Faithful. The best viewing spots fill quickly. Also, make sure to check out the lodge before leaving the area.
7. Mystic Falls
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.4 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 147 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
Mystic Falls Trail is an easy trail that follows a creek through the forest ultimately ending at Mystic Falls. This waterfall is just over 70 ft. tall.
8. Artist Point
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.2 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 16 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
This is a very short & easy hike to Yellowstone’s iconic Artist Point (Grand Canyon of Yellowstone). This view doesn’t disappoint and is enjoyed by all. This can be a very busy area so plan accordingly.
9. Fountain Paint Pot Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.6 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 22 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
Fountain Paint Pot Trail contains all four types of hydrothermal features: geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. Some are awesome, some a meh, and some are stinky. Even though everything may not be awesome, most of it is and I highly recommend it.
10. Lone Star Geyser Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 5.3 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 127 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
This trail will lead you through a forest and ends at an active geyser. Lone Star Geyser Trail isn’t as popular as other easy hikes in Yellowstone National Park. This means if you’d like to enjoy an active geyser with fewer people, this is the way to do so.
*Lone Star Geyser erupts every 3 hours.
Other fun places to hike –
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11. Fairy Creek Trail to Imperial Geyser
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 6.5 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 387 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: June-October
- Dog Friendly: No
This trail will take you by Fairy Falls, Grand Prismatic Overlook & Imperial Geyser. Although the trail is a longer hike, it is still easy. It is a popular trail for birding, hiking & trail running. This means that it can get busy.
12. Norris Geyser Basin Complete Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.9 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 190 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: March-October
- Dog Friendly: No
This easy stroll along a boardwalk takes you past multiple geysers. They are all unique and impressive.
13. Mud Volcano Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.8 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 118 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
Mud Volcano Trail was the best surprise. We didn’t expect to like it as much as we did. The churning cauldron was mesmerizing because it was very active. Be warned – this was also very smelly.
14. Artists Paintpots Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 1.0 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 101 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-November
- Dog Friendly: No
Walking along this short trail you will pass by geysers, colorful hot springs, mud pots, and a fumarole.
15. Biscuit Basin Interpretive Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.7 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 26 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-November
- Dog Friendly: No
Biscuit Basin is a great place to see geysers, mud pots, hot springs, and wildlife. Biscuit Basin Trailhead is located in the Biscuit Basin parking area.
16. Canyon Rim South Trail to Artist Point
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 278 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-November
- Dog Friendly: No
The South Rim Trail follows the rim of the canyon and has some spectacular views of the waterfall & deep canyon. You will stumble upon a few switchbacks but they aren’t anything too intense.
*Several trails start in this parking lot. Make sure that you get on the right one. This trailhead is behind the bathroom building in the parking area.
17. Upper Geyser Basin
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 3.5 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 114 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
This trail is in the same area as Old Faithful. Plan on seeing them together. Check with the visitor center to see when Old Faithful will erupt upon arrival. Then plan on doing the trail before or after the eruption.
18. Storm Point Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Trail Type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 98 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: June-October
- Dog Friendly: No
Storm Point Trail passes right through dense forest, and by Indian Lake ultimately taking you to Yellowstone Lake. There is a chance that you can encounter bison, elk, grizzly bears, & black bears on this trail. I highly recommend that you bring bear spray with you.
19. Black Sand Basin Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.5 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 9 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-September
- Dog Friendly: No
A quick & easy walk along this boardwalk will take you past jewel-like geysers & colorful hot springs.
20. Red Rock Point via Red Point Trail
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 0.7 miles
- Trail Type: Out & Back
- Elevation Gain: 259 ft.
- Best Time of Year to Visit: May-October
- Dog Friendly: No
This trail is short and relatively easy but has steep stairs & switchbacks. Red Rock Point via Red Point Trail will lead you to some incredible views of the falls.
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What to Pack for Yellowstone
Here is a list of must-haves for tackling the easy hikes at Yellowstone National Park. I’ve linked my family’s favorite products to help you out. For hiking shoes and moisture-wicking clothes, I linked to our favorite brand as everyone prefers different styles of these products. To be honest, we will wear moisture-wicking clothes from anywhere but prefer this brand when we can get it on sale. The same can be said for hiking shoes. Whatever you choose to wear doesn’t need to be expensive, it just needs to be comfortable and get you through your vacation.
How to choose the best affordable binoculars for Yellowstone.
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Getting There- Roadtripping with our car is how we prefer to travel. That being said, Skyscanner has great deals on flights and RVShare has deals on RV rentals.
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FAQ – Easy Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
Are there easy hikes in Yellowstone National Park?
Yes, there are plenty of easy hikes in Yellowstone National Park. As a matter of fact, most of Yellowstone’s most famous features can be seen from an easy trail. The top 5 most popular easy hikes are – Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail, Fairy Falls Trail, Mammoth Terraces & Upper Ter Loop, & Midway Geyser Basin Trail.
What is the best hike in Yellowstone?
The best hike in Yellowstone is the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring. This hot spring is so big, colorful & unbelievable.
Where should I hike in Yellowstone?
Where you should hike in Yellowstone depends on what types of things you prefer to see. Hiking Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail, Fairy Falls Trail, Mammoth Terraces & Upper Ter Loop, Midway Geyser Basin Trail & Old Faithful Geyser Loop will make sure that you see a little of everything Yellowstone National Park has to offer.
Is Yellowstone difficult to hike?
Yellowstone does have some more difficult hikes. However, it also has a ton of easy hikes. The easy hikes allow you to see a lot of Yellowstone’s most famous features.
Where is the best place to hike in Yellowstone National Park?
Where you should hike in Yellowstone depends on what types of things you prefer to see. Hiking Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail, Fairy Falls Trail, Mammoth Terraces & Upper Ter Loop, Midway Geyser Basin Trail & Old Faithful Geyser Loop will make sure that you see a little of everything Yellowstone National Park has to offer.
What is the longest trail in Yellowstone National Park?
The longest trail in Yellowstone National Park is 145.4 miles. This multi-day trail is called Yellowstone Lake to Old Faithful via Southern Boundry. It takes an estimated 13 days to finish.
Is Yellowstone good for hiking?
Yellowstone has over 900 miles of hiking trails. It is an amazing place to hike for all skill levels.
Is there a lot of hiking in Yellowstone?
With over 900 miles of hiking trails, there is a lot of hiking in Yellowstone National Park.
Final Thoughts on Easy Hikes In Yellowstone National Park
There you have it, some of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park. Although these hikes are easy with minimal elevation change, they offer some of the best views in Yellowstone National Park (America’s first national park). By the way – Grand Teton National Park is literally right next door. It’s always a good idea to swing by when you’re finished visiting Yellowstone.
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