Yellowstone National Park spans 2.1 million acres, with topography so varied and vast there's nowhere like it in the world. It is easy to find a great view, but if you're willing to put in some legwork, your efforts will be rewarded with exceptional scenery and, often, an enormous amount of solitude. For those less inclined to seek a big adventure, plenty of mellow hikes or flat walks take you to places like The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or Old Faithful Geyser. You'll be hard-pressed to find a bad view in Yellowstone, but here are a few of our favorites!
Sky Rim
This 18.2-mile loop is considered one of the most challenging and strenuous hikes in the Park. You'll gain more than 4,300 feet with a 6-mile traverse across the trail's western half. (This area is very exposed, and weather can change rapidly.) At the top, you'll view some of the best alpine scenery you've likely seen.
Purple Mountain Trail
A moderately challenging trail, Purple Mountain gains 1,500 feet in three miles, leading to a panoramic view of the Gibbon and Madison rivers. The 5.9-mile out and back is excellent for camping, backpacking, and birding.
Bunson Peak
An ancient volcano cone, Bunson, is easily visible from Mammoth Hot Springs. A 2-mile, moderate hike with switchbacks, this is an excellent choice for families and offers stunning views of Mammoth, Gardiner, Paradise Valley, and the Gallatin Range. And yes, tpeak was named after Robert Wilhelm Bunsen, inventor of the Bunsen Burner.
Buffalo Plateau
This hike has superb views, lots of animals, and an incredible display of wildflowers. An 18.7-mile out and back near West Yellowstone, the 3,200 feet of climbing takes you through areas affected by the 1988 wildfires.
Mount Sheridan
Mount Sheridan is considered one of the most scenic trails in Yellowstone. The 22-mile out-and-back takes you through 11 miles of meadows, lodge pole forests, and mountains, and at the summit, you'll look down on Heart Lake. Other views include the Teton Range, Yellowstone Lake, and Shoshone, Lewis, Delusion, and other lakes. There's plenty of wildlife in this area – if you're lucky, you may even spot a wolf!
Avalanche Peak Trail
A strenuous, high-elevation hike, this is one for the physically fit. Once there, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of some of the Park's tallest and most remote alpine peaks!
Electric Peak
Named after the first ascendents of the peak, the 1872 United States Geological Survey, who were almost killed by lightning and experienced electrical charges on their hands and hair, Electric Peak is the most prominent peak in the Northwest corner of the Park. Coming in at 10,969 feet, it is the highest point in the Gallatin Range. The 20.3-mile, out and back near Gardiner is another strenuous hike and best done as a two- or three-day trip.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Easily accessible and one of the iconic features of Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon is a must-see. Formed by erosion versus glaciation, the falls are massive and breathtaking. The Upper Falls can be seen from Upper Falls Viewpoints and the Brink of the Upper Falls Trail. The Lower Falls can be seen from Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Artist's Point, Brink of Lower Falls Trail, and various points along the South Rim Trail.
If you enjoyed this blog, take a look at some of our other related articles:
- Yellowstone Insider: 10 Not-to-Miss Spots to Visit this Summer
- Yellowstone Wildlife in the Fall
- Myths of Yellowstone, Busted!
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