Yellowstone National Park

Explore a geothermal wonderland with the help of Backpacker's experts.

Travel to the unpeopled fringes of America’s first national park.

The perfect dozen: Embark on one of these 12 treks, and turn America's most iconic preserves into your own private paradise.

The only thing better than Yellowstone in summer? Yellowstone in winter. Picture herds of bison and elk, low-hanging steam shrouding evergreen forests, gem-hued pools blazing amid the snow-dusted landscape—and savoring it all in solitude.

Yellowstone National Park, Montana

This half-mile of backcountry geysers is among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.

Hike past expansive beaver ponds and prime elk habitat on this loop through Yellowstone’s scenic northwest corner.

Find solitude in Yellowstone's mountainous northwest corner.

In America's most celebrated park, adventure doesn't begin at the trailhead; it begins at trail's end.

This diverse 5.6-mile out-and-back, a park signature hike, passes colorful geysers and an eerie burn zone en route to a 100-foot cascade. Caution: Grizzly restoration area.

This 11.8-mile ski or snowshoe loop explores a frozen waterfall and bison wintering grounds.

Take advantage of the park's quieter winter season on this 9.4-mile snowshoe trek through wooded hills to an expansive plateau with endless snowy views.

Explore canyons and sageland in Yellowstone's backcountry on this 18.5-mile hike near the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Go where the buffalo roam on this 21-mile Yellowstone traverse.

Follow your ears to thundering, stunning Union Falls on this 15.8-mile hike in Yellowstone National Park.

Camp in an active geyser basin teeming with wildlife.

You'll find wildflowers, bighorn sheep, and a lookout tower on the easy-going climb up to a 10,243-foot peak formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.

Explore Yellowstone National Park's lower elevations on a moderate 8-mile loop that circles Garnet Hill, visits the Yellowstone River, and traverses bison-filled grasslands.

Ascend 2,000 feet in 2.3 miles on the stiff climb to the wind-swept summit of Avalanche Peak, a 10,568-foot mountain with prime views across Yellowstone National Park.

Take a tour of multi-colored hot pools and a crater-like geyser on this easy-going, 0.4-mile boardwalk stroll in Yellowstone's Black Sand Geyser Basin.

This 13.3-mile backcountry trek in Yellowstone National Park travels to a rocky beach (and campsites) in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Climb to panoramic views of Yellowstone National Park on this 7-mile loop that crests Bunsen Peak and skirts the edge of Sheepeater Canyon.

This 20.6-mile out-and-back in the northern reaches of Yellowstone National Park culminates with panoramic views from the rocky crown of Electric Peak.

This 3.9-mile lollipop loop in Yellowstone National Park climbs to a plateau top with unrivaled views of Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountains.

With its hissing fumaroles, bubbling mudpots, and propellant geysers, this short boardwalk loop at Fountain Paint Pot serves as a greatest-hits collection of Yellowstone's geothermal wonders.

Walk the rim of Yellowstone National Park's Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on this 6.4-mile hike that showcases five-star views of Upper and Lower Falls.

This 4.4-mile out-and-back traces the south rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for postcard-worthy views of Upper and Lower Falls.

On this 6.7-mile shuttle hike in Yellowstone National Park, you'll cruise through golden grasslands, tour the charred relics of the 1988 forest fires, and visit Grizzly Lake.

Spend a few nights in Yellowstone National Park on this 23.1-mile out-and-back complete with lakeside campsites and spectacular summit views.

Pass a waterfall, open meadows, lodgepole stands and a sparkling backcountry lake on this easy, 3.8-mile stroll through the heart of Yellowstone National Park.

Explore the otherworldly landscape of Mammoth Hot Springs on this easy, 1.7-mile boardwalk loop in northern reaches of Yellowstone National Park.

Bubbling mud pots, spewing hot springs and turquoise pools are jam-packed into this quick, 0.9-mile roadside jaunt in Yellowstone National Park.

Link some of Yellowstone National Park's most striking thermal features on this 5.2-mile loop near Mammoth Hot Springs.

Connect a series of memorable thermal features, such as Whale's Mouth, Whirligig Geyser, and Black Growler Steam Vent, on this easy, 0.9-mile loop in Yellowstone National Park's Norris Geyser Basin.

Trek through rolling meadows en route to a shimmering backcountry lake and the 360-degree panorama bliss of Observation Peak on this 10.5-mile dayhike in Yellowstone National Park.

This 8-mile out-and-back in Yellowstone National Park descends a cliffside trail to the base of Osprey Falls, a 150-foot waterfall that pours into Sheepeater Canyon.

Link two backcountry lakes, a plummeting waterfall, and a billowing fumarole on this 6.7-mile loop near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

This easy-going hike winds past lodgepole forest and grassy stream beds to the black sand beaches of a backcountry lake in Yellowstone National Park.

Visit the black sand beaches of Shoshone Lake, the largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone National Park, on this scenic 6.1-miler just minutes from Old Faithful.

This easy 5.8-miler tours a veritable geyser Hall of Fame in Yellowstone National Park before culminating with views of the legendary Old Faithful.

Experience world class fly-fishing, wildlife sightings, and to-die-for campsites on this 16.2-mile out-and-back to the second largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone National Park.

Tour a lesser-traveled corner of Yellowstone National Park on this 8.6-mile loop that boasts vast lodgepole pine forests and massive meadows that stretch for miles.

Link Shoshone Lake to Lewis Lake on this 11.1-mile loop in Yellowstone National Park.

Visit a remote, backcountry thermal vent that steams up from the Pitchstone Plateau on this 9.4-mile out-and-back in Yellowstone National Park.

Experience the grandeur of Yellowstone National Park on this 14.4-mile out-and-back that crosses picturesque meadows and traces a trout-filled stream.

Trace the rim of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on this 4.8-mile out-and-back that features a plummeting waterfall, a small wooded lake, and five-star, across-the-expanse views.

Beat the crowds and enjoy the company of distant mountains and wildlife on this moderate, 7-mile loop in the northwest region of Yellowstone National Park.

Wildlife sightings and striking views highlight this strenuous, 17.7-mile shuttle hike that spans the length of Specimen Ridge in Yellowstone National Park.

Your best bet for planning the perfect Yellowstone trip, short of seeking out Yogi Bear himself.

See bears, elk, and the remote terrain of the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone on this 44-mile trip.

A forgotten explorer's route leads to 42-mile off-trail adventure--with several peak bagging options--and bona fide solitude in Yellowstone National Park.

Go ahead, look again. And again. These images are worth a third, fourth, and then a tenth gaze.

No one knows the national parks better than the rangers who patrol them. We polled a bunch of insiders on their favorite national park sights, sounds, and tastes.

Check out BACKPACKER Editors's author page.

America's first national park is a playground for grizzlies, wolves, moose, and hikers (not in that order).

3-D hike videos, complete trip planner pdfs, our interactive ParkFinder tool, and more.

Can I get married in a national park?

We surveyed more than 40 scientists, conservationists, and professional adventurers, then ranked the 15 parks that are most in peril from climate change.

Need trip-planning beta for your National Park adventure? See our comprehensive list of National Park phone numbers, websites, and drilled down details here. You’ll be ready to hit the trail in no time.