Yellowstone National Park is one of the most iconic and breathtaking destinations in the United States. With its diverse landscape of geysers, hot springs, and rugged wilderness, it is no surprise that millions of visitors flock to the park every year to experience its natural beauty. One of the best ways to explore the park is by hitting the trails and embarking on a hiking adventure. In this blog, we’ll be showcasing the top 19 hiking trails in Yellowstone, each offering its own unique combination of scenic views, challenging terrain, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first-timer, there is something for everyone on this list. So grab your gear and let’s hit the trails!

#1 – Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is one of the most iconic sights in Yellowstone National Park. It is a large, colorful hot spring that is surrounded by a series of terraces and steam vents. This trail is an easy, accessible boardwalk that takes visitors through the hot spring and provides great views of the vibrant colors and steam vents.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.8 miles (1.3 km)
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15 m)

#2 – Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop

This trail takes visitors through the Upper Geyser Basin, home to many of Yellowstone’s most famous geysers, including Old Faithful. The trail starts at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and takes visitors to a viewing area for Old Faithful, as well as several other geysers in the area.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.2 miles (3.5 km)
Elevation Gain: 100 ft (30 m)

#3 – Fairy Falls Trail

Fairy Falls is a tall, beautiful waterfall located in the Lower Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. This trail takes visitors to the base of the falls and provides great views of the waterfall, as well as the surrounding geyser basins.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.7 miles (10.8 km)
Elevation Gain: 675 ft (206 m)

#4 – Artist Point

Artist Point is a scenic overlook that provides breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. This trail takes visitors to the rim of the canyon and provides great views of the river and the surrounding landscape.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.5 miles (2.4 km)
Elevation Gain: 500 ft (152 m)

#5 – West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail

West Thumb Geyser Basin is located on the shores of Yellowstone Lake and is home to several geysers and hot springs. This trail takes visitors through the basin and provides great views of the geysers and hot springs, as well as the lake.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.1 miles (1.8 km)
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15 m)

#6 – Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail

This trail takes visitors to Old Faithful, one of the most famous geysers in the world. The trail starts at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and takes visitors to the viewing area for Old Faithful, as well as several other geysers in the area.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.2 miles (3.5 km)
Elevation Gain: 100 ft (30 m)

#7 – Biscuit Basin Interpretive Trail

Biscuit Basin is a hot spring area located near Old Faithful. This trail takes visitors through the basin and provides great views of the hot springs and geysers, as well as some interpretive signs that explain the geothermal features in the area.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.0 miles (1.6 km)
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15 m)

#8 – Brink of the Lower Falls Trail

This trail takes visitors to the brink of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, one of the largest waterfalls in the park. The trail provides great views of the falls and the surrounding landscape.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 0.8 miles (1.3 km)
Elevation Gain: 400 ft (122 m)

#9 – Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek and Little Firehole Loop

This trail takes visitors through the Little Firehole River area and passes by Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek, and several other geysers and hot springs. The trail provides great views of the geothermal features and the surrounding landscape.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.7 miles (7.6 km)
Elevation Gain: 600 ft (183 m)

#10 – Midway Geyser Basin Trail

Midway Geyser Basin is home to several large hot springs and geysers, including the famous Excelsior Geyser Crater. This trail takes visitors through the basin and provides great views of the hot springs and geysers.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.6 miles (2.6 km)
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15 m)

#11 – Canyon Rim South Trail to Artist Point

This trail takes visitors along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River to Artist Point, a scenic overlook that provides breathtaking views of the canyon and the surrounding landscape.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.7 miles (6.0 km)
Elevation Gain: 700 ft (213 m)

#12 – Mystic Falls

Mystic Falls is a tall, beautiful waterfall located in the Little Firehole River area of Yellowstone National Park. This trail takes visitors to the base of the falls and provides great views of the waterfall and the surrounding landscape.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.5 miles (4.0 km)
Elevation Gain: 600 ft (183 m)

#13 – Upper Falls, Lower Falls and Crystal Falls Trail

This trail takes visitors to the Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Crystal Falls of the Yellowstone River, three of the largest waterfalls in the park. The trail provides great views of the falls and the surrounding landscape.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.0 miles (9.7 km)
Elevation Gain: 700 ft (213 m)

#14 – Artists Paintpots Trail

Artists Paintpots is a hot spring area located near Norris Geyser Basin that is known for its colorful mud pots. This trail takes visitors through the area and provides great views of the mud pots and other geothermal features.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.8 miles (1.3 km)
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15 m)

#15 – Norris Geyser Basin Complete Loop Trail

Norris Geyser Basin is one of the largest and most active geyser basins in Yellowstone National Park. This trail takes visitors through the basin and provides great views of the geysers and hot springs.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15 m)

#16 – Fountain Paint Pot Trail

Fountain Paint Pot is a hot spring area located near Norris Geyser Basin that is known for its colorful mud pots and geysers. This trail takes visitors through the area and provides great views of the mud pots and other geothermal features.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.5 miles (0.8 km)
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15 m)

#17 – Fairy Creek Trail to Imperial Geyser

This trail takes visitors through the Fairy Creek area and passes by several hot springs and geysers, including Imperial Geyser. The trail provides great views of the geothermal features and the surrounding landscape.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.7 miles (6.0 km)
Elevation Gain: 600 ft (183 m)

#18 – Mud Volcano Trail

Mud Volcano is a hot spring area located in Yellowstone National Park that is known for its mud pots, geysers, and fumaroles. This trail takes visitors through the area and provides great views of the mud pots and other geothermal features.
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.0 miles (1.6 km)
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15 m)

#19 – Yellowstone Falls, Crystal Falls and Inspiration Point via North Rim Trail

This trail takes visitors to three of the largest waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone Falls, Crystal Falls, and Inspiration Point. The trail provides great views of the falls and the surrounding landscape, as well as breathtaking views from Inspiration Point.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 5.0 miles (8.0 km)
Elevation Gain: 700 ft (213 m)