Yellowstone National Park Trails
Yellowstone has miles of trails for the adventurous skier and snowshoer. Whether you are skiing a groomed trail in a developed area or venturing into the backcountry, remember that you are traveling in wilderness with all its dangers: unpredictable wildlife, changing weather conditions, hydrothermal areas, deep snow, open streams, and avalanches. You have chosen to explore and experience the land on its own terms, but your safety is not guaranteed. Be prepared for any situation and know the limits of your ability.
Most of Yellowstone is backcountry and managed as wilderness; many miles of trails are available for skiing. Track is set only on a few trails. All unplowed roads and trails are open to cross country skiing and showshoeing. When skiing on unplowed roadways used by snowmobiles, keep to the right to avoid accidents.
Park elevations with adequate skiable snow range from 7,000 to 10,000 feet (2133 - 3048 meters.) If you are coming from lower elevations, acclimate yourself and test your capabilities by taking short day trips before considering longer excursions.
Orange metal trail markers attached to trees may be difficult to find in winter. Even on a well-marked trail, you can become lost easily in a whiteout or blizzard. Only skiers thoroughly familiar with the area should attempt off-trail travel.
Few streams have bridges. Parties venturing into the backcountry should carry a USGS topographic map and a compass and know how to use them. When planning your trip, get specific information on conditions from rangers at a ranger station or visitor center.
A Backcountry Use Permit is required for all overnight ski trips. Contact a park ranger at a ranger station or visitor center before you begin a ski trip—whether for a few hours or several days. Some park areas could be open to skiing or snowshoeing on designated routes only during severe winter conditions to protect wildlife. Maps of these routes will be posted at trailheads, but check with a ranger before beginning your trip. Trip planning should include allowances for limited daylight, snow conditions, temperature extremes, and the number of people in the group, their experience and physical condition. Overnight ski and snowshoe trips during December and January are difficult due to short days, extreme temperatures, and soft snow. Learn as much as you can about winter survival. Talk with park rangers before you leave on any trip.
Choose skis and boots made for touring or mountaineering. Narrow racing skis won't provide enough surface area to break trail.
For complete ski trail descriptions, maps and the most current conditions, please visit the Bear Den Ski Shops at Mammoth and Old Faithful.
Mammoth Hot Springs Trails
Trail Map
POPUP
PDF
Snow Pass Trail
6750’-7450’ (700 feet elevation gain/loss)
4.2 miles, easiest to most difficult
The Snow Pass Trail leaves the west side of Mammoth-Norris snow vehicle road south of the Upper Terrace parking area. The trail ascends 700 feet in 1.5 miles through a series of steep grades along an old wagon road to Snow Pass. Good views of the surrounding country are frequent. From Snow Pass the trail continues down over rolling terrain to a trail junction at which the ski route follows Glen Creek over fairly level terrain for 2.2 miles, returning to the snow vehicle road.
Bunsen Peak Trail
6240’-7360’ (1120 elevation gain/loss)
6 miles, easiest to most difficult
This groomed trail begins off the Mammoth- Norris snow vehicle road. The upper 3 miles are mostly level and suitable for all levels of skiing ability. On the northeast side of Bunsen Peak, the road becomes steep and winding, dropping 960 feet in 2.5 miles to Glen Creek. CAUTION: some curves have steep drop-offs and can be hazardous when icy. From Glen Creek the trail climbs 0.5 miles to a plowed road in an employee housing area 0.8 miles below the Upper Terrace parking area. This trail provides fine views of the Gallatin Mountains and the Gardner River Canyon.
Indian Creek Loop
7300’-7350 (50 feet elevation gain/loss)
2.2 miles, easiest
This groomed trail begins at the Indian Creek warming hut and follows the campground road north to the campground registration cabin. It then makes a figure-eight loop through the campground. The groomed ski trail is inside the north half of the Indian Creek loop.
Bighorn Loop
7300’-7620’ (320 feet elevation gain/loss)
5.5 miles, easiest to more difficult
The trail begins at the Indian Creek Hut and coincides with the Indian Creek loop for the first mile. It then continues making a loop through rolling terrain with outstanding views of the Gallatin Mountains, Gardners Hole and the surrounding country. After completing the loop, return to the Indian Creek Hut by the same route.
Sheepeater Trail
7260’-7320’ (60 feet elevation gain/loss)
5 miles, easiest
Beginning at the Indian Creek warming hut, ski along the snow vehicle road north to Sheepeater Cliffs picnic area. The trail skirts the east side of Swan Lake Flats through interspersed forest and meadow with view of the Gallatin Range and Gardner River Canyon. The trail connects with the Bunsen Peak trail and continues approximately 1.6 miles west to the Mammoth-Norris snow vehicle road.
Upper Terrace Loop Trail
6570’-6780’ (200 feet elevation gain/loss)
1.5 miles, more difficult to easiest
This groomed loop begins at the Upper Terrace parking area. A moderate climb leads to views of hot springs, terraces, and the surrounding mountains. At the top of the climb, a trail veers off to the southwest which connects with the Snow Pass Trail. The Terrace Loop Trail descends past more hot springs before completing the circuit. Since snow depths here are less than in the mountains above, wintering elk and deer are occasionally sighted in the Terrace area.
Skier Shuttle to Mammoth
Shuttle services are available from Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel to the Swan Lake and Indian Creek areas on a prearranged basis only. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Front Desk in the hotel lobby.
Northeast Area Trails
Trail Map
POPUP
PDF
Bannock Trail
7257’-7389’ (132 feet elevation gain/loss)
2 miles, easiest
The trail begins at Warm Creek picnic area. After crossing Soda Butte Creek the trail follows the old road bed. The terrain is mostly flat and the trail transverses open meadows and mixed conifer forests. You will reach the North Absaroka Wilderness approximately one mile from the trailhead. At two miles you come to Silver Gate, Montana. From here the road bed is used as a snowmobile route and is good skiing to Cooke City.
Barronette Trail
7011’-7200’ (189 feet elevation gain/loss)
3.5 miles, easiest
The Barronette Ski trail is a 3.5 mile section of the old Cooke City road. The trailheads are located at the upper and lower Soda Butte bridges on the Northeast Road. The trail lies mostly in conifer forests beneath Barronette Peak. The trail offers some spectacular mountain scenery and consistent snow conditions.
Pebble Creek Trail
13 miles, most difficult
This is a backcountry trail that is usually through unbroken snow. Although skied as a day trip in late winter early spring by experienced parties it normally requires a night out to complete. Check at a ranger station for current conditions.
Telemark Skiing
The Northeast section of Yellowstone and the Cooke City area offer unlimited possibilities for the day skier interested in telemark and cross-country downhill experiences. Inquire locally for ski and avalanche conditions.
Tower Area Trails
Trail Map
POPUP
PDF
Lost Lake Trail
6800’-6440’ (120 elevation gain/loss)
4 miles, easiest to more difficult
This trail is best started at the Petrified Tree Road. The route travels the road to the Petrified Tree, then leads through a narrow, open valley to Lost Lake, then following the near shore (on the ice) the trail reaches the head of the lake. It then travels through intermittent forest and meadows.
Blacktail Plateau Trail
7571’-6600’ (312 feet elevation gain/loss)
8 miles. Easiest to more difficult
This trail may be skied from either end. It begins 8 miles east of Mammoth Hot Springs at a parking area across the road from a self-guided trail, or at a service road approximately 1 mile farther east. The trail gradually climbs 900 feet in six miles through open meadows to “The Cut.” From The Cut the trail descends two miles down a moderate grade through a spruce-fir forest to rejoin the Mammoth-Tower Road. Broad vistas, elk, deer, coyotes, and occasionally bison may be seen.
Tower Falls Trail
6480’-6270 (190 feet elevation gain/loss)
2.5 miles, easiest
This trail begins at the parking area just southeast of Tower Junction. It follows the Canyon road for 2.5 miles up a gradual slope past Calcite Springs Overlook to Tower Falls. Great views of the Yellowstone River Canyon, occasionally bison, bighorn sheep and bald eagles can be seen.
Chittenden Loop Trail
7250’-6480’ (900 feet elevation gain/loss)
5.3 miles, easiest to more difficult
The Chittenden Loop Trail begins at Tower Falls. The trail is easiest if skied to the right through the Tower Falls Campground, climbing the more difficult section at the beginning of the loop. The trail continues through dense lodgepole pine returning to the unplowed Tower-Canyon road. From here the route goes approximately 3 miles back to Tower Falls. Good views of Mt. Washburn are possible.
Canyon Area Trails
Trail Map
POPUP
PDF
Canyon area trails are only accessible by oversnow vehicles. Please call 307-344-7311 for more information on scheduled Ski Tours by snowcoach to the Canyon area.
Cascade Lake Trail
7850’ to 8000’ (150 Feet elevations gain/loss)
3 Miles, Easiest
The Cascade lake ski trail begins on the left (west) side of the Washburn Hot Springs Overlook road. The ski trail follows a service road then down a wide trail. The trail winds through a lodgepole forest opening into Cascade Meadows. You continue crossing Cascade Creek. The trail leads out across the meadow to ice covered Cascade Lake. The trail provides a good view of the Washburn Range.
Roller Coaster Trail
1.8 miles, more difficult (200 feet elevation gain/loss)
The trail begins at the Canyon Warming Hut going along the North Rim Drive and a service road. Ski down a short moderate slope into a meadow and up into the pine forest. From here the trail is a series of moderate to steep ups and downs. The trail merges with the Canyon Rim ski trail. The Roller Coaster is fast and fun.
Canyon Rim Trail
4.5 miles, easiest to more difficult (200 feet elevation gain/loss)
The groomed trail begins at Canyon Warming Hut and follows the North Rim Drive and continues down the Inspiration Point roadway. A moderately steep downhill section leads you to Inspiration Point where it makes a loop and returns back up the hill. The trail continues along the edge of the Canyon Rim for one mile providing excellent views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The trail continues along the roadway past the cabins and up into the summer developed visitor area and back to the Warming Hut.
Washburn Hills
8200’-9700’ (1500 feet elevation gain/loss)
More difficult to most difficult, advanced skiers
Take the snowmobile road north from the Canyon Warming Hut towards Washburn Hot Springs Overlook for 2.5 miles. Advanced Nordic skiers will find unlimited moderate to steep slopes for downhill skiing. Avalanche danger can be high, increasing towards Dunraven Pass. Avalanche transmitters, climbing skins, and partners are highly recommended.
Old Canyon Bridge Trail
1 mile, easiest
The groomed trail begins at either the Chittenden Bridge or on the main road at the entrance to the Upper Falls. A very short easy ski with beautiful views of the Yellowstone River above the Upper Falls.
Old Faithful Trails
Trail Map
POPUP
PDF
The Old Faithful area is only accessible by oversnow vehicles. Please call 307-344-7311 for more information on scheduled snowcoach service and tours to Old Faithful from West Yellowstone, the South Entrance at Flagg Ranch and Mammoth Hot Springs.
Practice Ovals
.3 miles – Flat
Need to brush up on your cross country skills? Try out our two practice ovals, set in the flat, open terrain of the East Parking Lot. The outer oval is great for honing your skate-skiing technique, with a double-wide groomed path more than 1/3 of a mile around. The inner loop is perfect for working on your classic skiing form with two machine set parallel tracks – two people can ski side by side to coach each other. Ski as much as you like and when you’re finished you are no more than 5 minutes away from the Snow Lodge.
Cloverleaf
.8 miles – Flat
Our summertime entrance road into the Old Faithful area pulls double duty as a flat triple-wide skate ski approximately 8/10 mile around. Take in the geysers and hot springs of the Myriad Group, see the Old Faithful Inn in a picturesque setting amongst the lodgepole pines, and ski through an area of burned trees left from the fires of ’88. A machine set classic track on the outside of the oval allows classic skiers to explore as well. Access to this trail is via the main snow road or the employee ski path, and is just a short distance from the Snow Lodge.
Cabin Track
.4 miles – Some hills
Our Cabin Track is a double-wide skate ski path with a machine set classic track on the outside, looping around the Old Faithful Lodge Cabins. Listen to the peaceful Firehole River just yards away before it slips into the Upper Geyser Basin. This trail offers more variety in terrain with a few hills to descend and climb. 4/10 mile groomed trail.
East Road Track
.9 miles – Flat
For skate skiers wanting a fast track, this is it – with a triple-wide track, a gentle banked turn and a huge open straightaway. Stretching 9/10 mile between the Cloverleaf Trail and the Practice Ovals / Cabin Track area, skiers can also use this as a convenient transit from one set of trails to the other. A machine set classic track on the outside lets classic skiers in on the fun.
Lone Star Geyser Trail
7360’-7600 (240 feet elevation gain/loss)
9 miles (round trip), easiest
Beginning across from Old Faithful Snow Lodge, the trail follows the Mallard Lake Trail to the Firehole River crossing. The trail then follows an old road cut. After skiing over moderate hills, the trail crosses the snow road at Kepler cascades and continues along the east bank of the Firehole River. The trail follows an old service road to Lone Star Geyser. Novice skiers should return to Old Faithful by the same route. A much more difficult return route can be made on the Howard Eaton Trail. The section of trail that begins after crossing the road and continues to Lone Star Geyser is groomed. Otherwise, the trail between Old Faithful Snow Lodge and the road is skier tracked.
Howard Eaton Trail
7360’-8100 (520 feet elevation gain/loss)
8 miles, more to most difficult
This trail, a steep alternative to the Lone Star Geyser trail, follows the Fern Cascades trail from behind the Bear Den Ski Shop south through the cabin area and across the snow road. From there the trail starts a long steep climb followed by a rolling descent toward Lone Star Geyser. Just before the thermal area and geyser is a trail that cuts off to the Lone Star Geyser trail.
Spring Creek Trail
7360’-8100’ (740 feet elevation gain/loss)
8 miles, easiest to more difficult
This one-way trip begins with a snowcoach drop-off at the Divide trailhead. The trail follows Spring Creek and consists mostly of gentle downhills with a few steep sections crossing back and forth over a series of bridges. After crossing the Firehole River Bridge, the trail joins the Lone Star Geyser Trail returning to Old Faithful.
Divide Trail
8044’-8590’ (546 elevation gain/loss)
2.6 miles up and back from Spring Creek Trail Junction (plus 8 miles returning to Old Faithful via Spring Creek), more difficult
The route begins approximately 7 miles east of Old Faithful where a snowcoach can drop you off. The trail coincides with the Spring Creek Trail for a short distance and then branches left and continues its climb approximately 1.3 miles up to a pass on the Continental Divide with views of Shoshone Lake and Mount Sheridan to the south. Return to Old Faithful via Spring Creek Trail.
Fern Cascade Loop Trail
7360’-7600’ (240 feet elevation gain/loss)
3 miles, easiest to more difficult
The one-way Fern Cascades trail begins next to the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. The trail goes along a power line and climbs approximately 250 feet. The trail continues through rolling woodlands to Fern Cascades.
Mallard Lake Trail
7360’-8120’ (760 feet elevation gain/loss)
6.8 miles (round trip), more difficult
The Mallard Lake Trail begins across the road from the front of the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. The trail follows a service road toward the Old Faithful Lodge and then down two short hills to the Firehole River. After crossing the bridge, the trail divides. There is a long climb to Mallard Lake with some steep sections and some side hills.
Mallard Creek Trail
7320’-8120’ (800 feet elevation gain/loss)
12 miles round trip from Old Faithful, easiest to most difficult
This trail branches off the Mallard Lake Trail just before the lake itself. From there the trail climbs steeply at times up to the northwest overlooking the lake and then follows the ridge to the northwest. This section of the trail has numerous steep gully crossings and many challenging turns. The return to Old Faithful is another 4 miles of flat gently rolling terrain along a power line and then through the Geyser Basin.
Black Sand Basin Trail
7280’-7360’ (80 feet elevation gain/loss)
4 miles, easiest
The route begins in front of Old Faithful Visitor Center and travels through the Geyser Basin toward Morning Glory Pool. Take the turn-off to the Daisy Geyser Group and continue on this trail until you come to the snow vehicle road.
Biscuit Basin Loop Trail
7320’-7360’ (40 feet elevation gain/loss)
The route begins across the road from Old Faithful Snow Lodge and continues through the Geyser Basin. It goes east of Morning Glory Pool and on to Biscuit Basin. This trail passes by many thermal features with good possibilities of viewing wildlife. To complete the loop back to Old Faithful, follow the Mystic Falls Trail a few yards, then onto a trail which leads down to a footbridge across the Little Firehole River. From the bridge, the trail continues through the woods and meadows for about a mile, returning to the main trail through the Geyser Basin at Grotto Geyser.
Mystic Falls Trail
7320’-7400’ (80 feet elevation gain/loss)
7 miles, easiest to more difficult
Follow the Biscuit Basin Trail through the Geyser Basin to Morning Glory Pool and on to Biscuit Basin. You will find the trail to Mystic Falls at the far end of the basin boardwalk area. Ahead about 50 yards the trail branches off to Summit Lake. Continuing on, the Mystics Falls Trail approaches the falls. Return by the same route.
Fairy Falls Trail
11 miles, easiest (160 feet elevation gain/loss)
The route begins at the southern end of Fountain Flats Drive. The trail follows the drive for approximately 1.3 miles. From there to Fairy Falls it passes through flat terrain covered with lodgepole pine forest. To return to Old Faithful, ski back to the trailhead and cross the snow road to pick up the return trail. After ½ mile you will see Mallard Creek trail, follow along the power line for several miles back to the Geyser Basin and then several more miles back to Old Faithful.
Additional classic and ski skating trails are groomed throughout the Old Faithful area utilizing parking lots and roadways that are not used during the winter season.
