One of the things we love about Yellowstone National Park is that many of the hikes are not overly strenuous. We didn’t find many hikes where elevation gain was a challenge. A hike in Yellowstone will provide you with some amazing views, wildlife viewing, and ability to escape any crowds.

It’s also important to pay attention to signs in Yellowstone reminding you to carry bear spray. You never know where a grizzly bear or black bear are going to be, so always carry bear spray for your safety and the safety of the wildlife.

Here is a list of some of our favorite hikes.

Clear Lake and Ribbon

This is a 8 mile out and back hike. When we started it was a very foggy morning. This added a new element of fun, but we missed some of the views on the way out. Start at the parking lot of the Upper Falls and follow the Clear Lake Trailhead. The trail will take you past thermal features, Clear Lake, and then to Ribbon Lake.

If you go past Ribbon Lake you can get a view of the canyon. It is hard to see down to the river, but the colors of the rock will not disappoint. Follow the trail back the parking lot. We found this to be a quiet hike and not overly strenuous. With so many great features, it did not disappoint.

Storm Point

Start at the trailhead by Indian Pond, a few miles past Fishing Bridge. This is a shorter hike but will give you a great view of the Lake Yellowstone. Storm Point gets its name from the strong winds that whip off the lake. Don’t forget to hold your hat. This is a shorter, flat trail. It is about 1.5 miles round trip. It’s a good hike to stretch your legs and a great hike to get close to the lake.

Mary Mountain

The Mary Mountain- Nez Pearce Trail is actually a 24 mile trail that cuts across the center of the park. It’s easy to make this trail into a shorter hike as an out and back. The trail starts in Hayden Valley, a few miles south of Canyon. The trail starts off relatively flat and gives you great views of the valley. In the summer, this area is occupied by large buffalo herds, so be sure to steer clear of any wildlife. We loved this trail because it allowed us to experience the valley in a new way.

Fairy Falls to Imperial Geyer

This is a roughly 7 mile out and back hike. As you follow the Fairy Falls trail, you will be given the opportunity to hike up a small hill and get an amazing view of Grand Prismatic, as seen above. Take this opportunity and then continue along the trail for another 1.5 miles to Fairy Falls. It’s a nice hike that is relatively flat. Many people turn around here and head back.

Continue down the trail and you will not be disappointed. Hiking further will give you access to the Imperial and Spray Geysers. Since most people don’t continue, the trail is a little less defined as you hike toward the geysers. It’s well worth the extra distance and a great way to avoid the crowds.

Hike Planning

Whenever we are planning hikes we use two app, AllTrails and Hiking Project. Both are free, but we pay extra for AllTrails+. It is well worth it. We also use Falcon Guides Best Easy Day Hikes. Be sure to plan before heading out. (We may get commission from some links.)