5 of the Best Hikes in Yellowstone
Hiking in Yellowstone is a must add to your bucket list if you haven’t been there already. Yellowstone is known for its breathtaking hot springs and geysers. Here are 5 of the best Yellowstone hikes that you should consider visiting.
- Uncle Tom’s Trail – This trail is one that visitors have been hiking for over 100 years. Starting all the way at the top of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, down to the Lower Falls. The view you experience is worth climbing down and back up the 328 steps. There are many benches and platforms to rest on along the way!
- Fairy Falls Trail – A 1.6-mile trail to Fairy Falls. Fairy Falls Yellowstone is one of the most astonishing waterfalls in the park. After reaching the falls, you can continue on the trail for 0.6 miles to the Imperial Geyser and Spray Geyser.
- Mount Washburn Trail – This trail is the most popular summit hike in Yellowstone National Park. As the trail used to be a road, it is not too steep or difficult to follow. What makes this trail most popular is the remarkable views at the end of the trail. This hike is a 6-mile round trip.
- Avalanche Peak Yellowstone – Avalanche Peak is a difficult 4.7-mile trail. The rewards of this hike are great as this hike leads you up one of the tallest alpine peaks in the park to stunning views.
- Old Faithful – A family favorite and a Yellowstone tradition. People travel from all over the world to see the eruption of this famous geyser. Like clockwork, Old Faithful erupts about every 30 to 45 minutes. To know what time it will go off next, walk over to the Visitors Center to check their sign.
5 Things to Remember While Hiking With Kids
Family hiking in Yellowstone National Park is an experience you don’t want to miss out on, though hiking with toddlers and kids can be difficult. Here are some tips to help make your hiking experience with children more enjoyable and less stressful.
- Know what you are getting yourself into. Ahead of time, it is a good idea to do a little research about the hikes you are interested in going on. You don’t want to end up having to carry a child up a strenuous hill or drag them along a hike that you thought was shorter than it turned out to be.
- When hiking in places like Yellowstone where it is possible there are bears and other wildlife around, it is a good idea to have your bear spray on hand. You can even attach bells to your backpacks to create noise, making the bears want to avoid you.
- When planning the trip, let the kids participate by asking what they want to see. Get them excited about your trip and the outdoors by talking about the rocks they can climb, the water they can play in, or the bugs they can find and examine.
- Be flexible and enjoy the adventure. Having a plan is always great, but when you are hiking with kids, remember to be flexible and adjust your schedule as needed.
- Bring snacks and dress in layers! Kids often enjoy having their own pack to carry while hiking. Help them pack a small bag well with snacks and an extra jacket just in case it gets colder than expected.
Keep these hiking suggestions and tips in mind to improve your experience on Yellowstone hikes while staying at Yellowstone RV Park!