West Yellowstone sits at 6,667 feet on a forested plateau at the western edge of Yellowstone National Park—one mile from the West Entrance gate. The town is surrounded on three sides by Gallatin National Forest and bordered to the east by the world's first national park, creating hiking access that is virtually unmatched in the Northern Rockies. With 20 trailheads within 50 miles, 140 recreation sites, and direct access to Yellowstone's geyser basins, backcountry trails, and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, West Yellowstone offers everything from boardwalk strolls past erupting geysers to multi-day backpacking trips through grizzly country. The elevation is high, the winters are brutal (January averages 24/8°F), and the terrain demands respect. This guide organizes trails by distance from West Yellowstone and covers seasonal considerations. For the full city profile, see our West Yellowstone guide.
At a Glance
- 20 trailheads within 50 miles
- 140 recreation sites within 50 miles
- 3 wilderness areas accessible from West Yellowstone
- Closest trailhead: Rendezvous Ski Trails, in town
- Closest wilderness: Lee Metcalf Wilderness, within 20 miles
- National park: Yellowstone West Entrance, 1 mile
- Ski areas: Big Sky Resort (45 mi), cross-country at Rendezvous Trails (in town)
- Hot springs: Firehole River swimming area (Yellowstone, 16 mi), 5 within 50 miles
In-Town & Urban Trails (Within 8 Miles)
West Yellowstone's in-town hiking centers on the Rendezvous Ski Trails, a world-class Nordic trail system that doubles as hiking and mountain biking terrain during summer months. The network of groomed and natural-surface trails winds through lodgepole pine forest immediately adjacent to town, offering easy to moderate loops from 1 to 15 kilometers. The trails have hosted the U.S. Cross-Country Ski Championships and provide a rare combination of accessibility and quality—you can walk from downtown to serious trail running in minutes.
The town's grid of streets gives way to forest in every direction, and informal paths connect to the Gallatin National Forest surrounding the community. The Boundary Trail, skirting the edge of Yellowstone's western boundary south of town, provides a moderate out-and-back through mixed forest with occasional meadow views and the possibility of wildlife encounters—bison, elk, and moose all frequent the park boundary zone.
Day Hikes (8–30 Miles)
Yellowstone National Park provides the marquee day-hiking from West Yellowstone. Entering through the West Entrance (1 mile), the road follows the Madison River through broad meadows where bison herds graze and elk congregate at dawn and dusk. The Lower and Upper Geyser Basins—including Old Faithful (30 miles inside the park)—offer boardwalk trails through the densest concentration of geysers on earth. The Fairy Falls Trail (approximately 25 miles from town via the park road) is a 5-mile round-trip to a stunning 197-foot waterfall, with a side trip to Grand Prismatic Spring overlook providing one of the park's most iconic viewpoints.
The Madison River corridor inside the park offers flat, easy trails through wildlife-rich meadows—ideal for families and casual hikers. For more elevation and solitude, the Purple Mountain Trail climbs through lodgepole forest to views over the Madison Valley. Outside the park to the north, trails in the Gallatin National Forest climb from the Highway 191 corridor into the Madison Range, offering alpine terrain and significantly fewer people than the park trails.
| Trail | Distance from West Yellowstone |
|---|---|
| Gniess Creek | 9 mi |
| Red Canyon Trailhead | 13 mi |
| Kirkwood Trailhead | 16 mi |
| Fawn Pass TH | 20 mi |
| Bacon Rind TH | 20 mi |
| Specimen Creek TH | 24 mi |
| Black Butte | 26 mi |
| Daily Creek TH | 27 mi |
| Teepee Creek TH | 28 mi |
| Papoose Creek Trailhead | 28 mi |
| Sage Creek Trailhead | 28 mi |
| Lava Creek Trailhead | 30 mi |
| Meadow Creek Trailhead | 30 mi |
Yellowstone Backcountry
West Yellowstone's proximity to the West Entrance makes it the most convenient base for Yellowstone's western backcountry. The park's backcountry permit system opens access to hundreds of miles of trails through geyser basins, alpine meadows, and remote river valleys. The Bechler River Trail (accessible from the park's southwest corner, roughly 30 miles from town) traverses one of Yellowstone's most spectacular backcountry regions—a landscape of waterfalls, hot springs, and old-growth forest that sees a fraction of the traffic at the geyser basins. Multi-day trips through the Bechler area require backcountry permits (available at the West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center) and bear canisters.
The Shoshone Lake area, accessible via the DeLacy Creek or Lone Star Geyser trails, offers backcountry camping at Yellowstone's largest backcountry lake with its own geyser basin on the shore. The Yellowstone backcountry is grizzly bear country of the highest order—proper food storage, bear spray, and group travel are essential, not optional.
Wilderness & Backcountry
Three federally designated wilderness areas are accessible from West Yellowstone. The Lee Metcalf Wilderness encompasses rugged terrain in the Madison Range to the north and west, with the Spanish Peaks and Bear Trap Canyon units offering glacier-carved cirques, alpine lakes, and peaks exceeding 11,000 feet. Trails from the Highway 287/191 corridor north of town climb into some of the most spectacular alpine country in southwestern Montana. The Cabin Creek area provides a more accessible introduction to Lee Metcalf's wild character.
The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to the northeast spans over 943,000 acres of alpine plateaus and granite peaks exceeding 12,000 feet. While the main access points are further from West Yellowstone than from towns like Red Lodge or Livingston, the northwestern approaches through Paradise Valley and the Gallatin Range provide entry to some of the wilderness's most remote and least-visited terrain.
| Wilderness Area | Distance from West Yellowstone |
|---|---|
| Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Madison Range) | 41 mi |
| Lee Metcalf Wilderness (Spanish Peaks) | 54 mi |
| Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness | 84 mi |
Seasonal Considerations
Spring (April–May): West Yellowstone's high elevation means spring arrives late. Snow can persist on trails through May and into June at higher elevations. The West Entrance to Yellowstone typically opens to vehicles in mid-April, but many park trails remain snow-covered and muddy. The Rendezvous Ski Trails transition from skiing to hiking as snow melts, usually by mid-May. Black bears and grizzlies emerge from hibernation and are active along trails—be especially alert during spring.
Summer (June–August): Peak hiking season. Yellowstone's geyser basin boardwalks are fully accessible, and backcountry trails clear by late June to mid-July depending on elevation and snowpack. July highs average 78°F with lows near 46°F—pleasant but with intense afternoon sun at 6,667 feet. Afternoon thunderstorms build regularly over the mountains; be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon. Wildfire smoke can affect visibility and air quality in late July and August. Yellowstone's popular trails (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic boardwalk) can be extremely crowded—start early to beat both heat and crowds.
Fall (September–October): Locals consider this the best hiking season. Warm days, cool nights, dramatically reduced crowds, and spectacular fall color make for ideal conditions. Elk bugling echoes through the Madison Valley, and wildlife viewing is outstanding. The West Entrance typically remains open through early November. Frost arrives by mid-September at this elevation, and snow can fall by late September.
Winter (November–March): West Yellowstone is one of the coldest inhabited places in the lower 48—January averages 24°F high and 8°F low, with subzero stretches common. The West Entrance closes to wheeled vehicles in early November but reopens for over-snow travel (snowmobiles and snowcoaches) in mid-December. The Rendezvous Ski Trails become one of the premier Nordic skiing venues in North America, with 35 km of groomed trails. Snowshoeing in the surrounding national forest and into Yellowstone's snow-covered interior offers a magical winter experience. Dress for extreme cold and watch for wildlife on trails—bison use groomed roads as travel corridors in winter.
Trail Safety
The West Yellowstone area is the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—the densest concentration of grizzly bears in the lower 48. Carry bear spray on every hike, travel in groups, make noise, and store food in bear-resistant containers in the backcountry. Bison are also a serious hazard in Yellowstone; maintain at least 25 yards distance (they are faster than they look and have injured more park visitors than bears). Thermal areas require absolute adherence to boardwalks—the ground near geysers and hot springs can be a thin crust over boiling water. The high elevation (6,667+ feet) affects those arriving from lower elevations; allow time to acclimatize and carry more water than you think you need. Cell service is unreliable in the park and surrounding forest—carry a map and inform someone of your plans.
For more outdoor activities, see our West Yellowstone fishing guide and the West Yellowstone weekend itinerary.