A Guide to Easy Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
Plan a few of these easy hikes in Yellowstone National Park for your family!
These kid friendly hikes provide the perfect way to explore this incredible national park’s beauty and unique geological features.
We’ve included family friendly hikes from across the park, so you’ll get to experience the diversity in landscape, wildlife, and vegetation from Grant Village all the way to Mammoth Hot Springs.
While each of these hikes is appropriate for most kids and beginners, I’ve included notes on any trail features that parents should be aware of.
For many of them, I’ve also included ways to extend your hike if you’re enjoying a specific area of the park, or have particularly good hiking conditions.
Let’s hit the trail!
The Camping Kiddos are ready to explore the hiking trails of Yellowstone National Park!
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Are There Easy Hikes in Yellowstone?
Yes, there are many easy hikes in Yellowstone which are great for families with kids and beginners.
While hiking in Yellowstone with kids might seem daunting given the park’s relative wildness and remote location, the park has done a wonderful job at providing a wide variety of trails.
Most of the trails recommended below are paved or have boardwalks, which means that even those families with strollers or in wheelchairs can get out and enjoy the crisp air in Yellowstone.
For a comprehensive post on where to go, eat, sleep, and explore, check out my Yellowstone Family Vacation guide.
I’ve also included a wide variety of hikes from different areas of Yellowstone, so you’ll be able to get your family on the trail no matter where you are in the park.
If you’re not familiar with the layout of the park, check out my comprehensive guide to the entrances of Yellowstone National Park here.
12 Best Easy Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
While I love every one of these hikes, I didn’t put them in any particular order because I just can’t pick a favorite!
Use this guide to the best family hikes in Yellowstone to jump on an easy trail no matter where you are in the park.
I’ve included information on where each trail is located as well as trail length.
I’ve also done my best to note which are appropriate for those families with strollers, as I know that not everyone wants to pull out the big back carriers for shorter hikes.
If you more trail suggestions in this part of Wyoming, check out our guide to easy hikes in Grand Teton National Park, too!
West Thumb Boardwalk
The place isn’t on fire—it’s filled with belching geysers!
Located: West Thumb area
Trail length: 0.75 loop across 2 boardwalk sections
Recommended age: all ages
Good for strollers? Yes, there’s a wooden boardwalk throughout.
This easy trail just above Grant Village is a great way to introduce your family to the incredible hydrothermal features of Yellowstone National Park.
I know that many people blast past here in their rush to get to Old Faithful, but don’t make that mistake.
Take 30-45 minutes to walk the boardwalk here and see some incredible steam vents, hot springs, and fumeroles.
Several of the features are right on the lake shore, and a few of them are even in the lake.
The most famous feature here is Fishing Cone, which is at the bottom of the boardwalk in the lake.
Local fishermen used to call it the “Hook and Cook” as they’d catch fish from the lake and then dip them into the boiling waters of Fishing Cone to quickly cook it.
Other incredible features on this loop is the intensely blue colored (and oddly named) Black Pool, the seemingly endless Abyss springs, and the dozen or so tiny hot springs next to the water line that steam as they enter the lake.
There’s even a big steam vent in the middle of the parking lot!
This area is friendly even for younger children as there are boardwalks throughout (most of which have handrails), as well as vault toilets in the parking lot.
If you’re following my recommended 2 day itinerary for Yellowstone, you’ll start your visit here!
Mud Cauldron Loops
Located: Between Hayden Valley and Canyon Village in East Yellowstone
Trail length: 0.2 mile loop (Lower Boardwalk), 0.6 mile loop (full loop to Sour Lake)
Recommended age: all ages for the Lower Boardwalk, 7 and up for the full loop
Good for strollers? The Lower Boardwalk is a combination pavement and wooden path. The full loop has long stretches of dirt trail and isn’t good for strollers.
Dragon’s Mouth is a hydrothermal feature not to be missed on the lower boardwalk!
Bubbling, burping mud is the perfect mixture of mesmerizing and gross.
Mud Cauldron is one of the best places to see these mud pots—our other favorite is Artists Paint Pot, also on this list.
The Mud Cauldron area is composed of 2 loops.
The Lower Boardwalk loop can easily be walked around in 10-15 minutes and is completely covered with concrete and/or wooden walking paths.
On the Lower Boardwalk, you’ll be able to see the bubbling mud pit that is slowly eating away at the hill above it, as well as the incredible Dragon’s Mouth hydrothermal feature.
Dragon’s Mouth literally looks and sounds as if a dragon is sitting inside the cave! Steam slowly comes out of the cave mouth along with deep rumbling.
Dragon’s Mouth is a fantasy novel setting come to life, and it is an absolute must stop for kids.
The bigger Upper loop to Sour Lake is better for older kids and/or kids who have more extensive hiking experience.
The hike from the parking lot to the first few thermal features on the Upper loop require some uphill hiking that will be tough for little legs.
While there are several more hydrothermal features on the Upper Loop, I don’t think any compare to the Dragon’s Mouth.
Still, combining both loops is a great way to get out of the car for a bit.
NOTE: This area is also GREAT for spotting wildlife! Bison and bears regularly walk through the mud pits and boardwalk. They like how warm the steam is.
MOM TIP: Take the free ranger walk here offered at multiple times each day. The 3 PM talk is focused on using your 5 senses to explore this site, and it is wonderful for younger children.
Meet at the entrance sign at the Lower Boardwalk Loop near the parking lot.
Don’t miss a minute of the fun at Yellowstone with the right wardrobe. Check out our Yellowstone summer packing list with free printable!
Mount Washburn South Trail
Located: south of Dunraven Pass near Canyon Village in East Yellowstone
Trail length: 6 miles out-and-back (3 miles each way)
Recommended age: 7 and up
Good for strollers? No, the trail is packed dirt with several narrow sections.
PIN ME!
While this hike is the longest on this list, it’s worth your time if you’re on the cusp of wanting an intermediate trail to hike in Yellowstone National Park.
That being said, the length really is the toughest part.
There is some elevation gain (about 1400 feet from the parking lot to the peak of Mount Washburn), but this is done slowly over 3 miles.
Intrepid elementary-aged hikers could do this hike in 4 hours or so, while experienced hiking teens could complete it in closer to 3 hours.
That being said, it’s one of the most popular hikes in the park, and you’ll see a wide variety of people out and about.
If you’ve got younger children, this is a great area for a partial hike.
You’ll get to experience the beauty of Dunraven Pass on the road here, and the trail is well marked. Just hike up as long as you’d like before everyone gets tired, and then head back to the parking lot.
For those with the legs and supplies to make it to the top, you won’t be sorry—the views are INCREDIBLE.
You’ll be able to see for miles across the caldera on a clear day.
NOTE: This area is highly trafficked with bears in the fall, so you absolutely need your bear spray if you’re going between the start of September and the end of October.
During the summer, it can get very hot on this trail, especially at the top. Take plenty of water and wear sunscreen, a head covering, and a breathable long sleeved shirt.
Artists Paint Pots
Located: between Norris and Madison in West Yellowstone
Trail length: 1 mile loop
Recommended age: 6 and up (younger children may need to be carried up the multiple flights of stairs to the uppermost platforms)
Good for strollers? No, the trail to the main boardwalk is dirt packed and often muddy after rainstorms. At the boardwalk, there are several sets of stairs to the most interesting hydrothermal features.
Tucked back into the forest is an incredible range of mud pools, brilliantly blue hot springs, and even a bright red hot springs!
To get there, you’ll begin at the dirt packed trailhead, where you’ll walk through a lodgepole pine forest for about half a mile.
You’ll then come to a wooden boardwalk that takes you around to the many features here.
The most popular are the steaming, bubbling mud pits at the back of the loop.
This area is accessed by a series of stairs, so you should use a baby or toddler carrier for younger hikers.
Overall, this area is great for a quick, easy hike.
Even if you don’t climb the staircases, there’s plenty to see from the flat sections of trail and boardwalk.
There are vault toilets in the parking lot near the trailhead.
Learn more about the Artists Paint Pots trail here.
Gibbon Falls
Gibbon Falls from the lower viewpoint
Located: just south of Artists Paint Pots between Madison and Norris in West Yellowstone
Trail length: 1/2 mile out-and-back to the lower platform
Recommended age: all ages
Good for strollers? Yes, the path out to both overlooks is paved asphalt.
If you love a waterfall, but don’t want to work too hard to get to one in Yellowstone, Gibbon Falls is a good choice.
The payoff here is spectacular, especially when you consider that there’s only a short walk from the parking lot to the first viewing platform.
For the best views, however, you’ll want to head to the lower platform, which is a little under a 1/4 mile from the parking area.
This entire area is paved, so it is great for getting all of the little kids out in their strollers.
There’s also a short hike to the brink of the falls, but note that the trail there has quite a steep incline.
If you’ve worked up an appetite while hiking, see where to eat in Yellowstone in my complete guide!
Canyon South Rim Trail
The Lower Falls viewpoint from the South Canyon Rim Trail
Located: on South Rim Drive in Canyon Village
Trail length: 1.25 mile out and back
Recommended age: 6 and up.
Good for strollers? The trail is packed dirt and narrows in several areas.
We completed the trail from the Upper Falls Viewpoint to the overlook just beyond Uncle Tom’s Stairs while on a ranger-led hike.
For the most part, this trail is easy, though it does have a few areas without handrails that might give parents of smaller hikers some pause.
There is some slight elevation gain as you approach the viewpoint, but it’s nothing that most people can’t handle.
You’ll be rewarded for your effects with spectacular views at the Lower Falls viewpoint!
On the way to the viewpoint, have your kids keep an eye out for trees that have been marked up by bears scratching their claws into the bark.
You can extend this hike all the way to Artists’ Point for older children, but I do not recommend it for small kids who aren’t in a carrier.
The second half of this trail has no guardrails, and there’s nothing to stop someone from sliding down the extremely steep cliff face down into the Yellowstone River more than 600 feet below.
We did this full hike with my 6-year-old, who thinks he is part mountain goat, and it was stressful enough that I chose to walk back to the parking lot with my 10-year-old and mom while my dad waited with my 6-year-old at Artists Point.
If you do the entire Canyon South Rim Trail from the Upper Falls viewpoint to Artists Point is it 2.5 miles out and back.
The trailhead to the South Rim Trail is at the parking lot to Upper Falls Viewpoint off of South Rim Road.
From the parking lot, head down the sidewalk to the Upper Falls viewpoint, which is well defined with rocks and a seating area.
Then, take the path to the right, which will quickly turn into hard packed dirt.
MOM TIP: If you can jump on the ranger-led hike, I highly recommend that approach. Not only is it a free guided tour, you’ll also learn so much about the topography, geology, and wildlife here.
Canyon North Rim Trail to Brink of Lower Falls
So beautiful that it looks fake!
Located: North Rim Drive in Canyon Village
Trail length: 0.38 miles
Recommended age: 10 and up
Good for strollers? No. The trail is hard packed dirt with an incline. You’ll need to baby/toddler carrier for this one.
For this trail, going down to the viewpoint is the easy hike you’ll ever take.
It’s nothing but switchbacks as you descend almost 600 feet in almost 0.4 miles.
We sailed down to the platform in no time, and the views of the Lower Falls and the Yellowstone Canyon are INCREDIBLE.
It’s only when you start making your way back to the parking lot that you might begin to question the life choices that led to this hike.
While that kind of elevation gain might be intimidating, there were people of all ages and abilities on the trail.
Go slowly on the way back up and be willing to take frequent breaks.
There are benches at each turn if you’re feeling out of breath or your kids needs some snacks.
My 6- and 10-year-olds completed this trail without much issue, but my parents and I were huffing and puffing a bit. (We’re from coastal South Carolina, so this kind of elevation gain is rare on hikes back home!)
If you’re looking for a less stressful trail in this area, you can take the 0.5 mile hike that has a trailhead in the same parking lot.
However, the views of the river and the canyon won’t be nearly as dramatic.
You’ll need to determine which is best for your family’s hiking abilities.
Old Faithful to Grand Geyser
Old Faithful geyser basin as Beehive Geyser erupts
Located: Old Faithful Visitors Center
Trail length: 2 miles out and back
Recommended age: all ages
Good for strollers? Yes, the entire Old Faithful geyser basin is crisscrossed with paved concrete paths.
You can’t go to Yellowstone National Park without seeing Old Faithful.
This geyser is the most famous in the world, so it is well worth hanging out here for 90 minutes or so to see it erupt.
On the National Parks app, you’ll be able to see an estimated time of the next eruption of Old Faithful. This is helpful if you’re trying to plan your busy day at Yellowstone.
Old Faithful has a wide wooden boardwalk surrounding it on 3 sides.
For even more geyser action, you can walk this boardwalk for miles—some of the trail is paved, but most is stroller friendly.
Along the way, you’ll see Beehive Geyser, which erupts erratically. When it does happen, the eruption lasts for several minutes, making this a treat if you happen to time your visit right.
We’ve recommended hiking from Old Faithful around to Grand Geyser, which is an easy walk for all but the smallest of hikers.
If you’d like to extend your hike, you can keep on going towards Fairy Falls, adding on another 3-5 miles depending on where you’d like to end and turn around.
If you would like to extend the hike, continue on at Grand Geyser towards Midway Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Pool, and Fairy Falls.
Grand Prismatic Overlook via Fairy Falls Trail
The Grand Prismatic Pool peeks through the lodgepole pines on the hiking trail
Located: in Midway Geyser Basin north of Old Faithful
Trail length: 1.5 miles out and back
Recommended age: all ages
Good for strollers? No, the path is wide but composed of hard packed dirt. The back half has a noticeable incline.
From the Old Faithful area on Grand Loop Road, head north towards Madison.
Just a few miles down this road, you’ll see a crowded parking lot: this is the parking lot for the Fairy Falls trailhead and Grand Prismatic Pool overlook.
My son at the Grand Prismatic Overlook
From the trailhead, it’s about 1.5 miles round trip to the overlook, which I think should be your family’s focus.
The trail is wide and flat for the first 0.5 mile or so, and it takes you over the Firehole River, past marshes and some smaller hot springs.
It isn’t paved, so you’ll want to leave the stroller in the car here.
At the halfway point between the trailhead and the overlook, the trail narrows significantly and climbs up the side of a hill.
It’s manageable, even with smaller kids, but take breaks as your family needs them.
You’ll be able to spot the brilliantly colored Grand Prismatic Pool through the trees soon after you begin your ascent, which is great motivation.
The view at the overlook is incredible, and we preferred it to the boardwalk below as we could see more colors from the overlook.
Of course, you can continue on past the stairs to the overlook to get to Fairy Falls if you’d like.
I will note that the trail is a bit crowded from the parking lot to the overlook, but the crowd thins considerably if you plan on continuing on to the falls.
Older and more experienced hikers might enjoy that add-on.
However, unless you’ve got an abundance of time in Yellowstone National Park, I’d suggest doing one of the other waterfalls that are easier to add into an itinerary.
Grand Prismatic Spring Boardwalk
The younger Camping Kiddo on the Grand Prismatic Pool boardwalk
Located: in Midway Geyser Basin about halfway between Old Faithful and Madison in West Yellowstone
Trail length: 0.8 mile loop
Recommended age: all ages
Good for strollers? Yes, the entire path is covered with stroller-friendly surfaces: concrete pavers and wooden boardwalk.
We decided to do both the Grand Prismatic Overlook and the Grand Prismatic Pool boardwalk to compare the two.
As I mentioned above, we could see the colors so much better from the overlook, so I highly recommend doing that hike if your family is willing and able.
If you’re short on time or just aren’t up for a short hike to the overlook, the boardwalk is still worth a stop.
While you can’t see the entire pool and its colors, you will be able to see the unique gradation caused by the heat-loving bacteria that lives here.
You’ll also get a better sense of the size of this pool.
On the wooden boardwalk, there are also 3 other hydrothermal features.
The one closest to the parking lot, the Excelsior Geyser Crater, is huge, and you’ll see evidence of where the geyser last erupted (or perhaps exploded is a better word) and blew out a portion of the existing pool.
The Excelsior Geyser Crater still steams and bubbles, so it’s active as a hot spring. The water from the hot spring mixes with the Firehole River below it, creating puffs of steams.
NOTE: This parking lot can get very busy to the point of having to wait in line for a parking spot.
Go as early as possible to make this process easier. If you happen to be there mid-day, prepare to wait 30+ minutes for a parking spot.
Mammoth Hot Springs Boardwalk
A chilly morning at the Mammoth Hot Springs boardwalk
Located: Mammoth Hot Springs area in Northwestern Yellowstone near Gardiner, Montana
Trail length: 1.75 miles
Recommended age: all ages
Good for strollers? No, as the boardwalk also includes several sets of stairs and areas of incline.
The Mammoth Hot Springs boardwalk covers some of the most famous tiered springs in this area of the park.
You can start your journey from the Upper Terrance or the Lower Terrance, but both utilize the same boardwalk.
While the wooden boardwalk is wide, it’s still not great for strollers as there are several sets of stairs to get to the various levels of the springs.
As you walk along, you’ll see a variety of these uniquely tiered springs in an array of red, orange, yellow, and stark white.
Don’t forget to take the lower boardwalk around to see Liberty Cap, the remains of a 35-foot-tall geyser which is now extinct.
Just beyond Liberty Cap is my favorite of the springs here, Palette Springs, which is particularly pretty with its mixture of snow white and burnt orange.
NOTE: As of September 2023, the boardwalk was undergoing major renovation, and sections of the Upper Boardwalk were blocked off. Access still remains between the Upper and Lower Boardwalk.
Extend your adventures around this area by doing the drive through the rest of the Upper Terrance (you can also walk, but there aren’t any sidewalks).
This drive takes you past several interesting hydrothermal features including the hulking Orange Spring Mound and the eerie-looking Angel Terrace with dozens of dead trees trapped in the highly acidic ground.
NOTE: This hike is about 30 minutes from one of our favorite places to stay in the park! Check out our full Roosevelt Cabins in Yellowstone review here.
For specific commentary on the Mammoth Hot Springs drive and others throughout the park, I highly recommend the Yellowstone National Park tour on the GuideAlong app.
This reasonably priced app works off of GPS, so the guide, Dave, automatically begins his spiel as you get to each area of the tour.
You can also download the tour right to your phone, which is a big help as the park has terrible cell reception in most places.
The guide also provides reminders as to which trailheads and sights are coming up, so you’re not doing U-turns trying to find everything you want to see.
We used this in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and it was better than paying a live guide to ride around with us for days!
Grant Village Lake Trail
The Camping Kiddos on an early morning hike at Grant Village
Located: at Grant Village between the Ampitheatre and boat dock
Trail length: 1 mile out and back
Recommended age: all ages
Good for strollers? Yes, the trail is paved, though there are several small offshoots on the lake shore that are unpaved.
This fun little trail has some incredible views of Lake Yellowstone in one of the most peaceful corners of the park.
It runs from the Ampitheatre to the Visitors Center and then down the lake shore to the boat dock.
There are also side paths that connect to the Grant Village Lodge up on the ridge.
You’ll have the chance to walk along a wide, paved path through a lodgepole pine forest (which makes up about 80% of the parks’ trees!) along the lake shore.
It’s a less popular trail that many others on this list, while still being accessible and easy.
There are also a few side trails out to the beach, but these aren’t paved.
Helpful Tips for Family Hikes in Yellowstone National Park
We want to get our kids out into the beauty of Yellowstone, but we want to keep them safe, too.
Here’s what to consider, bring, and do in order to make each of these hikes as fun and rewarding as possible.
From a wonderful view point at Artists Paint Pot hike in West Yellowstone
1) Always hike together.
Yellowstone is vast, and it is still very much a wild place.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re 100% safe just because you’re inside a national park.
There are predators here—including bears and wolves—as well as other large mammals that you don’t want to mess with.
(Moose, I’m looking at you.)
Stay together and hike in groups of 3-6.
This will allow you to make plenty of noise in the woods to scare off the bigger animals, but you’ll also have at least 2 other people with you in case something happens.
For example, if I’m hiking with my mom and my daughter, and my daughter had a bad fall, my mom could stay with my daughter while I ran back to the car to get help.
2) Don’t go off trail.
This advice is always valid, of course, but it’s particularly important at Yellowstone National Park.
In many areas, the crust is extremely fragile due to the hydrothermal features found right under the surface.
If you go off trail and break through this crust, you could end up in a pool of scalding hot, acidic liquid, which is not going to improve anyone’s vacation.
And that’s not even touching on the environmental disruption that would be occurring.
3) Pack your bear spray—and know how to use it.
You’ll see signs EVERYWHERE about bears in Yellowstone, and you’ll do well to heed them.
Don’t be overly scared to the point where you don’t hit the trail, but do know that you’re sharing this beautiful place with some top tier predators.
If you’re talking, singing, and calling out while you’re hiking, most bears will happily leave you alone. (And if you’re hiking with little kids, you’re definitely making PLENTY of noise!)
However, sometimes people accidentally surprise a bear, or somehow get between a mama and her cubs while turning a corner on a trail.
In that case, a bear having a bad day might attempt to charge you and your family.
While it might be a bluff charge as an intimidation tactic, the bear might actually intend to do you harm.
In that case, you’ll want to have your bear spray at the ready, preferably attached to your belt (and NOT in a pocket of your day pack).
Make sure the wind is going towards the bear, then pull the spray trigger for about 10 seconds, aiming it at the ground between you and the bear.
Make a figure eight as you spray.
Then, quickly—but not running—back away from the bear. Don’t turn around to run. Just make your way backwards up the trail until you are out of sight from the bear.
>> For more information on using bear spray in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, check out our comprehensive bear spray renting and purchasing guide. <<
4) Be aware of altitude sickness while hiking.
The high altitude in Yellowstone National Park combined with the exercise of hiking can quickly lead to altitude sickness.
This sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood, which can be exacerbated by exercising when your body is pumping more blood and, therefore, using more oxygen resources.
To combat this sickness, you’ll want to ease into hiking on your Yellowstone family vacation.
Don’t attempt to do too much too fast, particularly if you’re coming from a much lower altitude.
We traveled to Wyoming from coastal South Carolina, climbing more than 6500 feet in elevation in a day.
We then made the mistake of hiking nearly 11 miles our first day in Yellowstone before our bodies had a chance to adapt to the lower oxygen intake. (#sorrynotsorry We were just so excited to be there!)
Cue a TERRIBLE headache and nausea for us the next day.
To offset the effects, drink water, and lots of it.
Also, keep your digestion running strong—and that blood moving around—by eating a series of smaller meals or snacks instead of further spaced big meals.
5) Carry the right gear.
Even on short hikes, I make sure to carry my full stocked Osprey Skimmer 28 day pack.
When you’re hiking—particularly with kids—anything could happen, even on a trail that’s only a mile or 2 long.
The weather in Yellowstone National Park can rapidly drop 20 degrees while you’re hiking, which is even more of a reason to come prepared.
Check out our kids hiking gear checklist here for ideas on what to bring.
The hiking for beginnings on a budget post is also a helpful one if you’ll be hiking with your family in Yellowstone for the first time.
Here are even more ways to have family outdoor fun in this part of Wyoming!
