old faithful Area
nez perce creek
Hike history along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, the same path traveled in 1877 by Nez Perce reservation resisters fleeing the US Army. Explore the majesty of this ancient pathway of both man and beast, following one of America’s great bison migration routes through vast meadows, up Nez Perce Creek, and across Yellowstone’s Central Plateau. This relatively flat journey along Mary Mountain Trail is rated moderately easy to very difficult due to its 14-mile (22.5 km) there-and-back length. Significant wildlife habitats prevent convenient camping options, so Nez Perce must be tackled as a day hike. Fortunately, an easy walk to the footbridge makes a lovely and relaxed 4-mile (6.4 km) roundtrip jaunt...
sentinel meadows - queen's laundry
Grasses bubbling with hot springs lead adventurers to a fascinating National Historic Site on this moderate 4-mile (6.4 km) roundtrip hike through Sentinel Meadows to Queen’s Laundry bathhouse...
lower geyser basin - fountain paint pot
Get to know Yellowstone’s different types of hydrothermal features on this very easy short-and-sweet half-mile (.8 km) boardwalk stroll among the geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mudpots of the Lower Geyser Basin...
midway geyser basin - grand prismatic spring
Get up close and personal with some of the most superlative features in Yellowstone in this very easy half-mile (.8 km) boardwalk loop through compact and colorful Midway Geyser Basin. This short hike takes you along the edge of dazzling rainbow-rimmed Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the largest hot springs in the world...
fairy falls
Visit enchantment on a moderately easy 5-mile (8.1 km) to 6.4-mile (10.3 km) roundtrip hike to Yellowstone’s best water features. This peaceful adventure travels to the edge of awesomely vibrant Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the park, and crests at Fairy Falls, one of the tallest and most dignified waterfalls in Yellowstone...
biscuit basin
Get geysered up on this very easy half-mile (.8 km) loop stroll among the beautiful gem-named springs and highly eruptive geysers of volatile Biscuit Basin. Interpretive exhibits along the way illuminate the unusual elements of this thermal hot spot...
mystic falls
Follow the Little Firehole River through a forest to steamy Mystic Falls on a popular easy-to-very-difficult 2.4-mile (3.9 km) out-and-back hike. An alternative return route offers striking views of Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin...
black sand basin
Romp about a rainbow of color on a very easy half-mile (.8 km) boardwalk tour around small but super chromatic Black Sand Basin...
old faithful loop
Circle the most famous geyser in the world in a very easy .7-mile (1.1 km) loop around Yellowstone’s superstar attraction and showy mainstay, Old Faithful. Break through the tourist circus for 360-degree every-which-way enjoyment of this thermal-rific spectacular...
observation point - solitary geyser
Slip away from the crowds, conquer a difficult 200-foot (61 m) hill, get a rare bird’s-eye view of Old Faithful, and visit regularly erupting Solitary Geyser on this 1.8-mile (2.9 km) roundtrip loop hike...
geyser hill
Delve deep into geyser country on this short, easy 1.3-mile (2.1 km) boardwalk loop through a wondrous mix of hot spots bubbling behind Old Faithful. Geyser Hill is an incredibly dense region of geothermal attractions, from continuous boilers to rare, enormous exploders...
upper geyser basin
Meander among the largest concentration of geysers in the world on a matrix of easy walkways connecting the first-class hot spots of the Upper Geyser Basin. This out-and-back hike to beauteous Morning Glory Pool (and Biscuit Basin gateway) is 5.6 miles (9 km) roundtrip, with plenty of side loops and many wheelchair-and-stroller-accessible areas...
Fern cascades
When the snow melts, a cross-country ski trail transforms into a moderately difficult 3-mile (4.8 km) roundtrip loop through burned woods to a miniature waterfall. Convenient Old Faithful Village access makes Fern Cascades a popular hike for Old Faithful area explorers...
lone star geyser
Grab your camera, time it right, and capture some juicy geyser action on this popular, moderately easy 4.8-mile (7.7 km) out-and-back hike to regularly exploding Lone Star Geyser. Expect encounters with bicyclists as this trail follows an old road that doubles as a bike path...
spring creek
A popular winter cross-country-ski trail and destination connector, Spring Creek offers cool respite in hot summer months on a difficult 3.5-mile (5.6 km) one-way hike through a refreshing canyon. Spring Creek is an excellent trail for ambitious adventurers seeking varied connections to Divide Mountain, Lone Star Geyser Trail, Howard Eaton Trail, and backcountry Shoshone Lake Trail.
