Trip Idea

Day Hikes in the Lake & Fishing Bridge Area

Multiple Parks

Hikers rest and look out at Yellowstone Lake from atop a mountaintop.
Duration Half Day
Topic(s) Mountains, Trails, Geothermal
Activities Hiking
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Solitary/Remote, Inspirational, Outdoors, Group Friendly more »
Parks Yellowstone National Park
Hikers rest at the top of a mountain and look out at Yellowstone Lake
Hikers enjoy a panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake from Elephant Back Mountain.

NPS/Diane Renkin

Day Hikes in the Lake Area
  • Yellowstone National Park

    Avalanche Peak Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Yellowstone Lake
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Two hikers enjoying the view of mountains in the distance from the summit of rocky mountain.

    Experience one of the most strenuous day hikes in the park and be rewarded with stunning views of some of the park’s tallest and most remote alpine peaks.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Elephant Back Mountain Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Lake Village
    • Duration: 2–3 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A hiker looks down from a vantage point across a forest to a large lake.

    Hike to the top of this mountain for panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake and the surrounding area.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Mud Volcano Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Mud Volcano
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    People walk down a boardwalk towards a large plume of steam.

    A loop trail leads you by turbulent pools of hot, muddy water; hillsides strewn with trees cooked by steam; strange odors; and a bizarre landscape—welcome to the Mud Volcano area.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Natural Bridge Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Bridge Bay Marina
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A natural bridge formation made of rock in a forest.

    Hike through a forest and along an old service road to a natural bridge, which was cut out of a cliff of rhyolite rock by Bridge Creek.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Pelican Creek Nature Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Yellowstone Lake
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A creek spills into a large lake with mountains in the distance.

    Introduce yourself to a diverse assortment of Yellowstone habitats and look for birds while hike this loop trail through a forest to the shore of Yellowstone Lake.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Pelican Valley Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Fishing Bridge
    • Duration: 3–4 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    People on horseback ride through a field of sagebrush with mountains in the distance.

    Hike through forests, meadows, and a river valley—all of which are some of the best grizzly bear country in the lower 48 states.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Storm Point Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Fishing Bridge
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A hiker walks across a rocky outcropping above a large lake.

    Pass by Indian Pond and through a forest to the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Along the way, look for marmots in the rocky area near Storm Point.

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Last updated: July 22, 2024