Thing to Do

Bunsen Peak Loop Bike Trail

Yellowstone National Park

A person bikes on a trail through a field of sagebrush with mountains in the distance.

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

The Bunsen Peak Loop is a strenuous, ten-mile (16-km) bike trail that circles Bunsen Peak. It begins at the Bunsen Peak trailhead with a mostly flat ride the first few miles and then on the northeast side of Bunsen Peak, the road becomes steep and winding, dropping 960 feet in 2.5 miles (292 m in 4 km) to Glen Creek. It meets the Golden Gate Service Road near the National Park Service garage buildings and heads toward Joffe Lake (1.5 miles 2.41km) and follows the Glen Creek drainage steeply back uphill on a service road until it meets back up with the Grand Loop Road. Most of the trail is a dirt road and mountain bikes are highly recommended.

ALTERNATIVE: Instead of biking this as a loop, the ride from the Bunsen Peak Trailhead to the Osprey Falls Trailhead and back is a relatively gentle ride of 6.5 miles (10.5 km) there and back.

There are no bikes allowed on the trail to Osprey Falls.

Go early as the parking is limited at the Bunsen Peak Trailhead.

CAUTION: Some curves have steep drop-offs. Elevation gain/loss for the trail one way is 1,120 feet (335 m).

Alerts: Be alert for bears: both black and grizzly bears forage in this area. Ride with bear spray, have it accessible, and know how to use it. Bison and elk frequent this trail. Federal regulations require you to stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from bison and all other wild animals.

Details
The duration will vary depending on fitness level and length of time spent along the trail. Add more time if hiking to Osprey Falls!
Activity
Mountain Biking
Pets Allowed
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Near the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park
Reservations
No
Season
Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information

This trail follows a mostly flat dirt road for the first three miles when accessed from the Bunsen Peak trailhead. This first section could be accessed as an out-and-back trail with a hand-cycle with mountain bike tires. The second section, from the Osprey Falls Trailhead to the NPS garage is about 2.25 miles (1.4Km) with very steep downhill sections (the elevation drops 950 ft (290m)) and sharp curves that drop off abruptly. The section that climbs from the NPS garage area back to the main road is also very steep, gaining back around 1000 ft (305m). Qualified service dogs are permitted in the backcountry, but travel with dogs in the backcountry is not without risks. Please be aware that having a service animal in the backcountry may put you at increased risk for confrontations with wolves, bears, and other wildlife.

Yellowstone National Park

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Last updated: February 15, 2024