5 of the Best Backcountry Hikes in Yellowstone
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5 of the Best Backcountry Hikes in Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park is the epitome of the outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Located primarily in Wyoming, parts of Yellowstone National Park stretch into Montana and Idaho, making the entire park nearly 3,500 square miles! Established in the late 1800s, Yellowstone is the first National Park in the United States and is believed to be the first National Park in the world. Naming Yellowstone as the first National Park is not surprising at all thanks to the beautiful lakes, rivers, canyons, natural springs, and abundance of wildlife! Today we’re focusing on the best backcountry hikes that Yellowstone has to offer!
What Can You Expect to Find in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park is home to a very diverse wildlife population. Across the span of the spacious 3,500 square miles of protected land, you will find Grizzly Bear, Fox, Badgers, Grey Wolves, Bobcats, River Otters, and many more mammals. There are over sixty species of mammals within the park!
In addition to the many mammals that you’ll find within the park, there are also over three-hundred species of birds, sixteen species of fish, six species of reptiles, and five species of amphibians!
As you would expect, such a diverse amount of wildlife requires many different types of ecosystems, some of which are considered well-known landmarks within the park! Throughout Yellowstone, you’ll find natural hot springs, rivers, lakes, basins, geysers, cliffs, and mountain peaks that exceed 11,000 feet!
What to Know Before Planning Your Hike
Planning your hike in Yellowstone National Park in itself is an exhilarating experience! Some would say it’s like anticipating a family vacation from your childhood!
There are several things that you have to consider that are critical when planning your hike in Yellowstone, for both day-hikes, and multi-day backpacking trips.
- All overnight stays within the park require a permit that must be reserved at least two days before your trip.
- Camping within 100ft of a water source is not permitted, and you must camp at designated campsites only.
- Food and other scented items MUST be suspended 10ft or higher when not in use, with the exception of approved bear-resistant canisters. There are poles at backcountry campsites designated for this purpose, but you will need to bring at least 35ft of rope for properly hang your food.
- As always, practice “leave no trace,” pack out trash, and do not disturb the landscape in any kind of way.
1. Lewis Lake to Shoshone Lake – Loop Trail – 11 Mi.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-moderate loop trail, Lewis Lake to Shoshone Lake Trail may just be the one for you. With under 400 feet of elevation gain, this hike will be doable for both new and seasoned backpackers!
Shoshone Lake is one of the lower 48 state’s largest backcountry lakes, which offers opportunities that you won’t find in many other places. If you’ve been around large lakes, you know that it’s often difficult to find peace and quiet due to loud motorboats and jet skis. Regulations prohibit any type of motorized boat on Lake Shoshone, giving you the peace and quiet that we look for when backpacking.
Lewis Lake to Shoshone Lake Trail is mostly flat with views of snow-capped mountains in the distance, lake views, and beautiful evergreen forests. Lewis Lake to Shoshone Lake is a trail that you won’t regret hiking!
2. Specimen Ridge Trail – Point-to-Point – 17.6 Mi.
Known as one of the most favored trails within Yellowstone, Specimen Ridge Trail is a must on the backpacker’s bucket list. While this trail is considered hard, the views are phenomenal throughout the entire trail. Much different than the first listed trail (Lewis Lake to Shoshone Lake), you’ll find endless meadows of wildflowers, river crossings, and tall mountain peaks. The elevation gain of Specimen Ridge Trail is over 3,600 feet, so be ready to give your calves a workout!
Specimen Ridge Trail is a point-to-point trail, so you will need to be prepared to have a shuttle back to your car or plan a long enough stay to hike back to the trailhead in which you started (Specimen Ridge Trailhead).
While Specimen Ridge Trail is one of the best trails in Yellowstone, it’s not for everyone, not at first, at least. Many sections of the trail tend to be very overgrown, making staying on the correct trail difficult for those that aren’t very experienced with backpacking. Trails are often marked with rock cairns, but there are so many hunting trails that intersect with Specimen Ridge, it’s often difficult to tell which trail to follow.
In addition to the challenging navigation, you will have to cross the Lamar River at mile marker 16, which is often impassible before mid-August. If you are unable to cross the river, you will have to turn around and hike back out the way that you came.
3. Sky Rim Trail, Specimen Creek to Black Butte – Point-to-Point – 16.8 Mi.
With views of mountain peaks, crystal clear alpine lakes, wildflower-covered meadows, and evergreen forests, Sky Rim Trail is considered one of the best alpine hikes in Yellowstone National Park. The trail is rated as hard due to the elevation gain of over 3,700 feet!
Sky Rim Trail follows a mountain ridgeline in the Gallatin Mountain Range that offers 360-degree views of snowcapped mountains, valleys, and canyons.
As with many other trails within Yellowstone, there are many things to know before planning your hike into the backcountry. Throughout the trail, there are five backcountry campsites, but they are known to fill quickly. August is the safest month to hike the Sky Rim Trail, as the storm risk is lower. Afternoon storms are very common throughout the summer months, and due to your elevation, this puts you at a higher risk during the storm.
Be sure to pack all the water that you need as well. As this trail is safest to hike in the hotter months, there are few water sources on the trail.
4. Black Canyon Trail – Point-to-Point – 14 Mi.
The Black Canyon trail is one of many very well-known trails that you’ll find in Yellowstone National Park. With its river canyon views, big game, private backcountry campsites, and abundant water sources, this is a trail that backpackers of all experiences should conquer.
You’ll find that the trail is clearly marked in most places, but it is still best to study and carry a map before and on the trail, as there are many intersections that you’ll pass along the way! Although the trail is considered difficult due to its 2,800 feet of elevation gain, proper breaks, pre-planning, and workouts can prepare even the novice hikers for the Black Canyon Trail.
When beginning the hike, you’ll cross over the Blacktail Deer Plateau and a very impressive suspension bridge that crosses over the Yellowstone River. The Black Canyon Trail is a point-to-point trail but can be considered a shuttle trail if you arrange pickup at the end of the trail. If you prefer not to shuttle, you can hike back out the same way that you hiked in!
5. Ribbon Lake Trail – Out-and-Back – 4.7 Mi.
Rounding out our list of best backcountry hikes, Ribbon Lake Trail is by far one of the most popular within Yellowstone for those that are newly dipping their feet into the backpacking world. At only 4.7 miles and 330 feet of elevation gain, this trail offers beautiful lakes and canyon views, without the physical strain that many of Yellowstone’s trails require.
Near the trailhead, you’ll find Artist Point Overlook, which offers spectacular views of Yellowstone Falls and Yellowstone Canyon! Once you hike into the trail, the crowds begin to disappear, and the trail is much less traveled.
The hike to Ribbon Lake is pleasant with many canyon views, marshy areas, and Lilypad Lake. If you watch the water very closely in Lilypad Lake, you might see bubbles in the water, which are signs of thermal activity!
The only part of this hike to be wary of is the high population of Grizzly Bears. Always stay back from wildlife and take proper precautions to suspend your food and other gear with a scent from the provided posts at the campgrounds!
5 of the Best Backcountry Hikes in Yellowstone - Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or just getting started in the outside world, there is a destination on this list of best backcountry hikes in Yellowstone National Park for you. Yellowstone offers some of the most diverse scenery in the country, and backpackers get to experience some of the best parts of it.
If you’re planning to get started backpacking on one of the most challenging trails, be sure to research proper training, gear, and techniques before hitting the trail. If you want to dive headfirst, there are many resources available for hiring trail guides that can recommend equipment, guide you through the trail, and share experiences that can help you start your lifelong journey of conquering America’s backcountry!
No matter what trail you choose, Yellowstone National Park is a must for any and all of those who are looking for the backpacking experience of their life!
