This page offers current backcountry conditions and is updated frequently. It is always good practice to check this page regularly leading up to your trip’s start date.
The map offers a quick snapshot of current trail status. Below the map are more detailed information regading the condition of the trail, further descriptions of trail closures,warnings, and known hazards. Please make sure to review both the backcountry conditions map, and the Area Conditions Detail Section of this page
Conditions reports offer specific details about a given trail on a given date. However, Yellowstone's backcountry is vast and some trail status reports may not be updated for several weeks, or even months for lesser used trails. For this reason, Backcountry Conditions reports only offer a snapshot of trail conditions and should be used in conjunction with other tools such as weather reports, prior backpacking experience in Yellowstone, and assessment of your own backpacking skill level.
Trail status for stock (horse and llama) use will not be depicted on this map until trails open for stock use on July 1.
General Information
Many of the park's trails over 8000 feet elevation are still snow covered. Check out the snowpack map (right side of linked page) to see estimated snow depths.
Most streams are starting to rise, and as temperatures warm streams will soon begin to become too high and dangerous to cross. Streams which are crossable in the morning may rise to unsafe levels by afternoon. Don’t get caught on the wrong side of a stream. If you must cross – scout out the safest location, the best crossing may not be in the exact location where the trail meets the stream. Above all use caution and be safe around all streams. Yellowstone’s backcountry does not have many bridges, please evaluate planned travel routes for any potentially hazardous stream crossings.
Fishing season is open. Learn about regulations and guidelines in Fishing in the Park.
The boating season is open. See Backcountry Conditions Map and Area Condition Details below for site-specific information.
All watercraft require Yellowstone AIS inspection and registration. Inspections are available at Bridge Bay, Grant Village, and Lewis Lake. New: A 30-day dry time is required for all sailboats and complex motorized boats (inboard, inboard/outboard, or inboard jet drives). See Boating in Yellowstone for more information.
All trails are currently CLOSED until July 1 for overnight stock use (horse and llama). Blacktail, Rescue Creek from the Blacktail trailhead, Hellroaring, and Slough Creek trails are open for day use. See below in the Area Conditions Detail section for futher information on stock use along those trails. Day ride permits are required for day riding in the park. Get prepared for the season by reviewing Yellowstone's horse riding pages.
There are no current fire restrictions, however please note not all campsites allow for fires. Check your backcountry permit to see if your permitted campsite allows for fires, or view our backcountry trails and campsite map. In addition, please note that fires are only allowed in designated firepits. If the firepit is under snow visitors will need to dig out the firepit and downed wood.
Mammoth Backcountry Office: Open. Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Tower Backcountry Office: Open. Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Bridge Bay Backcountry Office: Open. Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Grant Village Backcountry Office: Open. Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Bechler Ranger Station/Backcountry Office: Scheduled to open June 3.
West Yellowstone Backcountry Office: Open. Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Snake River Ranger Station/Backcountry Office: Open. Hours 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Old Faithful Backcountry Office: Closed for the 2024 season.
Canyon Backcountry Office: Closed for the 2024 season.
Backcountry Offices are closed for lunch.
Area Condition Details
Trails are listed by region as shown on the map below. Scroll down or select a region name to view backcountry conditions for the area: NorthwestNortheastCentralSouthwestSoutheast
A minimum group size of four people is recommended for hiking and camping withing the Gallatin Bear Management Area.
Wet, muddy and snowy conditions prevail throughout the area. (4/24/24)
Daly Creek Trail is mostly snow free for the first few miles. Campsite WF2 may have patchy snow. (5/30/24)
Sky Rim trail has areas of deep snow. There are some exposed areas along the ridge that are not advised to attempt while there is lingering ice and snow. (5/30/24)
Campsite WF1 is inacessible to stock. (5/31/24)
Specimen Creek Trail is snow free until at least the ford midway between WE1 and WE4. (5/30/24)
Beaver Ponds Trail is snow free and cleared of down trees. (5/30/24)
Snow Pass Trail is mostly snow free. (5/30/24)
Sepulcher Trail has deep snow at upper elevations. (5/30/24)
Sportsman's Lake Trail from Glen Creek Trailhead is mostly snow free for the first few miles. West of junction with Sepulcher Trail hikers can expect areas of deep snow in forested sections. (5/26/24)
Electric Peak has deep snow at upper elevations. Hiking not recommended.(5/26/24)
Fawn Pass Trail from Glen Creek Trailhead has patchy snow on the hill going into Gardner's Hole. Gardner's Hole campsites are snow free. (5/26/24)
Gardner River is rising and may be uncrossable. Use caution if attempting to cross. (5/30/24)
Fawn Pass Trail west of Gardner River has increasing amounts of snow as it climbs in elevation. Hiking over Fawn Pass is not recommended. (5/30/24)
Osprey Falls trail is CLOSED due to trail damage from the 2022 Flooding event.
Swan Lake is CLOSED, no entry and no boating allowed in order to protect nesting birds.
Bacon Rind is cleared and snow free to the park boundary. (5/31/24)
Fan Creek Trail is likely snow free. Fan Creek may rise to dangerous levels with warmer temperatures. Caution advised if crossing Fan Creek. (5/30/24)
Fawn Pass Trail from Glen Creek Trailhead has patchy snow on the hill going into Gardner's Hole. Gardner's Hole campsites are snow free. (5/26/24)
Gardner River is rising and may be uncrossable. Use caution if attempting to cross. (5/30/24)
Fawn Pass Trail west of Gardner River has increasing amounts of snow as it climbs in elevation. Hiking over Fawn Pass is not recommended. (5/30/24)
East side of Fawn Pass cleared 4.5 miles from Glen Creek TH. Wet and marshy. (5/22/24)
Access road to the Bighorn Pass Tralhead parking area at the Indian Creek Campground is closed until June 14. Until then hikers wanting to access the Bighorn Pass Trail must park in the pullouts near the access road barricade. Do not block the barricade and access road.
East side of Bighorn Pass Trail cleared and snow free 3.5 miles from the trailhead, then mostly snow covered. (5/20/24)
Bighron Pass has deep snow and is not crossable. (5/30/24)
Trails from Mount Holmes Trailhead and Grizzly Lake Trailhead are mostly snow free to the campsites. (5/30/24)
Winter Creek will become deep and swift with rising temperatures. Caution advised if crossing. (5/30/24)
Upper elevations of Mount Holmes Trail and Trilobite Lake Trail have deep snow, not recommended. (5/30/24)
The west side of Gneiss Creek is CLOSED until June 30th due to the Gneiss Creek Bear Management Area. See conditions map above.
Trail is snow free. (5/26/24)
Trail is open and likely snow free. (5/30/24)
Trail is open.
Northeast
Ticks are out.(4/29/24)
Rescue Creek Trailhead along the washed out North Entrance Road is inaccessible due to the bridge having washed out in the 2022 Floods. See conditions map above.
Rescue Creek Trail accessed from the Blacktail Trailhead is open.
Lava Creek Trail (from Lava Creek Picnic Area or Blacktail Trailhead) is open with some muddy areas. The trail can be hiked to the Gardner river, but you will need to return the same way. The bridge over the Gardner River is out. (5/30/24)
STOCK USE: Rescue Creek trail is open for stock day use from the Blacktail Trailhead.
Trail is open.
Bear Frequenting Warning for the Blacktail Deer Creek Trail, Yellowstone River Trail, Hellroaring Creek Trail, and campsites 1Y6 and 1Y8. (5/26/24)
The Yellowstone River Trail is closed west of campsite 1Y1 due to a trail washout. See map above.
The Yellowstone River Trail is snow free. (5/3/24)
Cottonwood Creek (west of campsite 1R1) will start to rise as the weather warms. Hikers will need to scout for the best place to cross which is not necessarily where the trail meets the creek. (5/30/24)
Blacktail Ponds bird closure is in effect until July1. No travel along the ponds. See map above.
STOCK USE: Blacktail Deer Creek, Rescue Creek, Yellowstone River, and Hellroaring Creek Trails are open for day rides. The section of trail north of the Hellroaring Creek Stock Bridge to the park boundary is still closed to stock. Day ride permits are required to ride in Yellowstone National Park.
Bear Frequenting Area Warning for the Hellroaring Creek, Yellowstone River, and Blacktail Deer Creek Trails. (5/20/24)
Site 2H5 is closed for season. Site must be relocated.
Hellroaring Creek is deep and swift, not crossible on foot. Hikers will need to head north along Hellroaring Creek to the foot bridge located south of campsite 2H8. (5/30/24)
Upper portions of Buffalo Plateau may still have areas of snow. (5/30/24)
The full Bull Mountain Loop is not accessible. The bridge across Horse Creek (north of the park on the Hellroaring Creek Trail) washed out in the 2022. Horse Creek is too deep and swift to cross until waters drop in mid-late July.
STOCK USE: Blacktail Deer Creek, Rescue Creek, Yellowstone River, Hellroaring Creek trails are open to stock for day rides. The section of trail north of the Hellroaring Creek Stock Bridge to the park boundary is still closed to stock. Day ride permits are required to ride in Yellowstone National Park. (5/30/23)
Floating Island Lake is CLOSED. No Entry or Boating in order to protect nesting birds.
Sections of the Lost Lake Trail near Roosevelt Lodge are CLOSED. See Conditions Map above.
The Garnett Hill trailhead is subject to closures due to road construction. The Garnett Hill Trail can be accessed from Tower Junction, and then continue to the wagon road and trail.
The Garnett Hill Loop is partially CLOSED due to damage from the 2022 Flooding event. See Backcountry Conditions Map above.
Buffalo Fork trail is inaccessible while Slough Creek is too deep and swift to be crossed. (5/24/24)
Slough Creek Trail is mostly snow free. (5/30/24)
STOCK USE: Slough Creek is open to stock for day rides. Day ride permits are required to ride in Yellowstone National Park.
Pebble Creek Trail has areas of deep snow. Hiking is not recommended. (5/24/24)
Pebble Creek is running deep and swift. Crossing is not recommended. (5/30/24)
Bliss Pass has deep snow. Attempting to cross Bliss Pass is not recommended due to dangerous conditions. (5/30/24)
Trout Lake Trail will be closed from the evening of June 11 - June 14 for bridge repair.
Yellowstone River Picnic Area trail is open. (5/30/24)
Specimen Ridge trail has areas of snow on the higher elevations of Amethyst Mountain and in the forested areas on the east side of Amethyst. (5/30/24)
The Lamar River, located on the east end of the Specimen Ridge Trail is not crossable. The Specimen Ridge Trail can only be accessed from the Specimen Ridge Trailhead. Do not expect to hike from the Specimen Ridge Trailhead to the Lamar River Trailhead as you won't be able to cross the river and will then have a 14 mile backtrack to the Specimen Ridge Trailhead. (5/30/24)
Bear Frequenting Area warning in effect for the Lamar River Trail and Cache Creek Trail. Make sure to Be Bear Aware- make lots of noise, be alert, never leave you food unattended.(5/20/24)
Lower Lamar Trail is snow free. (5/24/24)
Cache Creek is deep and swift, not crossable. Streams which are crossable in the morning may rise to unsafe levels by afternoon. Don't get caught on the wrong side of the stream. Trails south of Cache Creek will be inaccessible until water levels drop. (5/31/24)
The Pelican Valley Trailhead is closed until July 4 due to the Pelican Valley Bear Management area. No through travel from Lamar River to Pelican Valley.
Cache Creek is snow free in the lower elevations but likely has snow on upper elevations close to Republic Pass. Republic Pass is snow covered and not recommended. (5/30/24)
Campsite 3C4 may have patchy snow. (5/30/424).
Thunderer Trail is snow covered at upper elevations and not accessible from the Thunderer trailhead due to Soda Butte Creek being too deep and swift to cross. (5/30/24)
Trail from Dunraven Pass trailhead is mostly snow covered, hiking not recommended. (5/26/24)
Road to Chittenden trailhead is CLOSED to vehicles. Trail has areas of deep snow, hiking not recommended. (5/26/24)
Trail is 30-40% snow covered beyond first mile and is swampy with running water on the trail in the snow free areas. (5/27/24)
Due to Norris Campground being closed for the 2024 season, there is a barricade which will prevent visitors from parking at the trailhead. Visitors will need to park in the large pullout on the main road to the south of the barricade and walk through the campground to the trailhead.
A few areas of deep snow remain along with areas of standing water on the trail. (5/25/24)
Trails have areas of patchy snow and are otherwise wet. (5/25/24)
There are several closures in effect to protect nesting birds (see map above for exact locations):
No boating,and fishing along Ice Lake
No boating, fishing and off trail travel along Wolf Lake
No Boating, Fishing or off trail travel along the Western half of Grebe Lake.
Mostly snow free. (5/27/24)
Hikers report that the Ribbon Lake and Clear Lake Trails are mostly snow free but extremely muddy. (5/31/24)
Trail to Wapiti Lake has areas of deep snow. Travel to Moss Creek, Wapiti Lake, and Broad Creek area will likely be difficult. (5/30/24)
Pelican Creek and Astringent Creek Trails south of Fern Lake are closed until July 4 as part of the Pelican Bear Management Area.
Trail is open.
Trail has areas of patchy snow and is otherwise wet and muddy. (5/24)
Hikers report extremely muddy/sloppy conditions; gaitors recommended. Lots of bear tracks; be bear aware. (5/26)
Mary Mountain Trail is closed west of Mary Lake through June 15.
Southwest
Expect most trails in the area to be snow covered and or muddy. (5/30/24)
Boating season is open.
Conditions along the Cave Falls Road and Grassy Lake Road west of Grassy Lake are unknown. There are likely some areas of snow. High clearance, 4WD vehicles recommended. (5/30/24)
The Grassy Lake Road between Grassy Lake and Flagg Ranch is closed to motorized travel until at least June 1, and likely later due to snowy/wet conditions.
Trails around Fairy Falls, Sentinel Meadows, and the Freight Road are mostly snow free. Trails across meadows are very wet. (5/30/24)
Trail between Mystic Falls and Fairy Falls has areas of deep snow. (5/26/24)
Trail from Biscuit Basin toward Summit Lake is passable for first 2.5 miles. Beyond 2.5 miles expect areas of deep snow. (5/20/24)
Lower elevations of trails accessing Mallard Lake are snow free. Mallard Lake and the trails within 1/2 mile of the lake are snow covered. (5/21/24)
Patchy snow from trailhead to Lone Star Geyser. (5/25/24)
Trail north of Lone Star Geyser is very wet and becomes snow covered as it climbs in elevation, not recommended. (5/25/24)
All watercraft require Yellowstone AIS inspection and registration. Inspection stations are at Bridge Bay, Grant, and Lewis Lake. New: A thirty-day dry time is required for all sailboats, boats with inboard motors, and boats with inboard/outboard motors. See Boating in Yellowstone for more information.
Motorized boats are prohibited on Shoshone Lake and Lewis River.
There is a bird closure in effect at the mouth of the Lewis River Channel. No boating, fishing, or off trail travel in the closure area. See map above for closure area details.(5/26/24)
Hikers report that Shoshone is ice free and trails still snow covered-snow shoes needed. (5/28/24)
All trails are snowbound. (5/10/24)
Inaccessible. Trails are snow covered and rivers are deep and swift. (5/30/24)
Not recommended. Trails are mostly snow covered or otherwise flooded an drivers are too deep and swift to cross. (5/30/24)
Inaccessible.
Inaccessible
Conditions unknown. Likely inaccessible due to road conditions, snow, and rivers too deep and swift to cross. (5/30/24)
Most of the trail has deep snow, not recommended. (5/30/24)
Trailheads inaccessible until Grassy Lake Road opens sometime after June 1.
There is a bird closure in effect for the northwestern part of the Buela Lake No boating, fishing or off-trail travel in the bird closure. See map above for closure area details.
There is a bird closure for Tanager Lake. No fishing, boating, or off trail travel around the entire lake.
Southeast
Many trails in this region are still snow covered. (5/30/24)
Boating season is open.
Storm Point Trail has patchy snow. North side of the loop in the trees has some areas of deep snow. (5/30/24)
Elephant Back Trail is snow covered on upper elevations. Not recommended for hiking. (5/30/24)
Natural Bridge Trail CLOSED due to bear activity.
Avalanche Peak is snow covered. Hiking not recommended. (5/30/24)
All watercraft require Yellowstone AIS inspection and registration. Inspection stations are at Bridge Bay and Grant Village, Lewis Lake. New: A thirty-day dry time is required for all sailboats, boats with inboard motors, and boats with inboard/outboard motors. See Boating in Yellowstone for more information.
Docks and hazard bouys are not yet in place. It is the boaters reponsibility to know where the hazards, mileage zones, and non-motorized boat zones are, and to abide by regulations. (5/25/24)
Use caution and be alert for floating debris and unmarked hazards. (5/25/24)
There are several closures in effect to protect nesting birds. There are closures in place near Frank Island, Stevenson Island, Molly Islands, Peale Island, campsite 7N2, and campsite 7L7. No travel permitted on, or near the closures. See map above for specific location of closures.
Areas of standing water in trail. Clear Creek ford is 2.5-3 feet deep. Cub Creek ford is 2 feet deep. (5/21/24)
Streams will be rising and become uncrossable as the weather warms. (5/30/24)
No off-trail travel is permitted along the east shore of Yellowstone Lake until July 14 or later. Refer to the above map for more information on the Clear Creek Bear Management Area.
Trails in the area are generally not accessible until the Snake River is crossable. The Snake River at the South Entrance is estimated to be crossable beginning July 10.
The Heart Lake area is closed until July 1 due to Heart Lake Bear Management Area restrictions. See map above.
The Riddle Lake Trail is closed until at least July 15 due to Riddle/Solution Bear Management Area restrictions. See map above.
Submit Trail Conditions
Have you hiked the trails lately and want to submit trail conditions? Please email the Central Backcountry Office with the trails and date you hiked the trails and as much details as you can provide.
