Photo of Trail Running Routes in Yellowstone National Park

The Best Trail Running Routes in Yellowstone National Park

Explore Trail Running Routes

Top 10 trail running routes in Yellowstone National Park

1

Fairy Falls to Imperial Geyser Trail

Easy
6.39 mi·
323 ft
Find the trailhead about a mile south of Midway Geyser Basin, along the Madison to Old Faithful road. Crossing the Firehole River Bridge, the trail heads north on the Fountain Freight Road, snaking along the south side of Midway Geyser Basin....
2

Mount Washburn Trail

Hard
6.99 mi·
1,395 ft
3

Mystic Falls Loop

Hard
3.45 mi·
706 ft
Discover the enormous Mystic Falls and the Jewel of Biscuit Basin—Saphire Pool—on this relatively short and flat hike. **Directions:** Beginning at the Biscuit Basin parking-lot, cross the bridge over Firehole River and follow the path on the other side....
4

Bunsen Peak

Hard
4.22 mi·
1,323 ft
This is a popular out-and-back day hike climbing 1,300 feet through meadow and forest to the Bunsen Peak summit. The peak is named after German chemist Robert Bunsen, who famously invented the Bunsen Burner, and also studied geysers in the 1840s....
5

Hellroaring Creek Trail

Hard
6.74 mi·
1,142 ft
Hellroaring Creek is an intermediate trail taking you through burnt forest and sagebrush flats, and across a dramatic suspension bridge. Find the trailhead 3.5 miles west of Tower Junction, you’ll see a short dirt road leading to a parking area....
6

Shoshone Lake and Geyser Basin

Hard
19.49 mi·
1,392 ft
Shoshone Lake is not only the largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone, at more than 8000 acres, but it's also the largest lake in the lower 48 states not reachable by road....
7

Slough Creek Out-and-Back

Hard
14.05 mi·
1,330 ft
This trail is characterised by wide sweeping meadows and views of Slough Creek, surrounding valleys and distant mountains. Find the trailhead on the dirt road headed towards Slough Creek Campground. You can park next to the vault toilet, where the road bears left....
8

Pebble Creek Point-to-Point

11.66 mi·
1,237 ft
Explore Yellowstone’s rugged northeast corner which is packed with various wildlife, dramatic mountain scenery and untamed wilderness. Pebble Creek Trail is an 11 mile out-and-back round trip, suited to runners with an adventurous spirit, who don’t mind getting their feet wet (you’ll need your fording shoes, as the trail crosse Pebble Creek 5 times)....
9

Monument Geyser Basin

Hard
2.43 mi·
708 ft
A short steep sprint to one of Yellowstone’s smaller and lesser known thermal areas, Monument Geyser Basin. Although most of the geysers are now dormant, their forms are unusual and worth a visit....
10

Seven Mile Hole -> Washburn Hot Springs

Hard
9.88 mi·
2,252 ft
A superb out-and-back that takes you to some of the greatest elements of Yellowstone National Park. The challenge comes as you plunge an epic 1,400 feet through the Grand Canyon to the banks of the Yellowstone River, and all the way back up again! It’s a 10....