Lava Creek Trail

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

Trail Alert! The bridge across the Gardner River was washed out in the 2022 flood event and fording is unsafe. The trail is only accessible from the trailhead across the road from the Lava Creek picnic area.

Follow Lava Creek and the Gardner River. Along the way, you can see Undine Falls (60 feet / 18 m) and the confluence of Lava Creek with Gardner River.

Safety notes: Return by the same route (another 4.2 miles), or have a vehicle shuttle arranged.

Trailheads: Across road from Lava Creek picnic area.

Details

Duration

2-3 Hours

This is a 4.2-mile (6.7-kilometer) through-hike trail that begins and ends at different trailheads. Either plan on leaving a vehicle at one end, arrange for being shuttled back to the start, or plan on the hike being twice as far if doing it as a there-and-back hike.

Activity

Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Mammoth Hot Springs

This trail is located in the northern part of the park, with the trailhead either across the main road near the Mammoth Campground or across the Grand Loop Road from the Lava Creek Picnic Area.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Any Time

Accessibility Information

The first 250 feet of the trail is accessible, with a level surface of hard-packed soil. Beyond, there is a steep grade down to the Gardner River. The southern trailhead is not accessible, due to topography.

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