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This Backcountry Conditions page includes general backcountry information, links to important backcountry-related sites, the Backcountry Conditions Map, and the Area Conditions Detail Section. The map offers a quick snapshot of current trail, trailhead, and campsite status. It includes area closures, restrictions, and known hazards. Below the map is the Area Conditions Detail Section, which provides detailed information regarding those locations and conditions, as well as more information for stock users. Please make sure to review both the BackcountryConditions Map and the Area Conditions Detail Section of this page before heading into the backcountry.
Backcountry Conditions provides specific details about a given trail on a given date. However, Yellowstone's backcountry is vast and status of a lesser used trail might not be updated for several weeks or even months. For this reason, Backcountry Conditions only offers 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.
*This map doesn't reflect current campsite availability. Backcountry permits are required to camp in all backcountry campsites.
Click on segments of trails, colored polygons, or icons for more information.
General Information
Check out the snowpack map to see where and how much snow you could encounter. Reference the map located on the right side of the linked page for reference (this map depicts snow depth).
Most streams are currently 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 does not have many bridges, please evaluate planned travel routes for any potentially hazardous stream crossings. River crossing sandals and trekking poles recommended.
Due to the flood in 2022 many of the streams within the Northern Section of the park have changed their course. Scout up and down stream for the best place to cross, which is not neccesarily where the trail meets the stream.
Limited streams are open, make sure to reference Fishing in the Park for information and details.
Temporary fishing closure for parts of the Firehole river due to wildlife activity. See Map. (5/5/26)
Yellowstone National Park 2026 boating season is closed.
A 30-day dry time is required for all sailboats and certain motorized boats(inboard, inboard/outboard, or inboard jet drives). Boats without a valid AIS inspection receipt and intact seal demonstrating a 30-day day dry time will be denied launch. Make sure to review the Boating page for further information.
Molly Islands are closed to protect nesting birds. No travel on, or a 1/2 mile from the Island. See map above for location of closures.
The trails are currently closed to all stock use. Overnight stock use opens July 1. Check back in June for for trails that may be open for day use prior to July 1.
All stock use requires a permit. Call the Central Backcountry Office or go online to request a day ride permit. Overnight Horseback use is closed for the season.
Trails that are not suitable and closed year round to Stock Use: Osprey Falls, Bunsen Peak, Lava Creek, Wraith Falls, Sheepeater Trail, Tower Falls, Chittenden Road, Lost Lake, Artist Point/Point Sublime, Storm Point, West Thumb Overlook, Monument Geyser Basin, Harlequin Lake, Beaver Ponds, Upper Terraces, Trout Lake, Seven Mile Hole, North/South Rim Canyon, Avalanche Peak, Clear Lake, Elephant Back, Riverside, Shoshone Geyser Basin, Artist Paint Pots, Fairy Falls, and any geyser basin or thermal area.
There are no current fire restrictions, however please note not all campsites allow for fires. Check your backcountry permit to see if your permited 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.(4/9/26)
We are currently in the non-peak season. Local offices are closed for the 2026 Season.
There is limited staffing during the non-peak season. Backcountry permits are available Monday-Friday (8:00 am- 4:30 pm) from the Central Backcountry Office by calling 307-344-2160.
Mammoth Backcountry Office located in Albright Visitor Center**
5/15/26
Tower Ranger Station
5/22/26
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center
5/15/26
Snake River Ranger Station
5/15/26
Grant Backcountry Office
5/22/26
Bridge Bay Ranger Station
5/22/26
Bechler Ranger Station
5/22/26
*Offices are open 8-5 (backcountry permits will not be issued after 4:30 pm). Offices are closed for lunch
** Between 8:00 am and 9:00 am visitors will need to enter the Mammoth Backcountry Office from the back of the building(Visitor Center opens at 9:00 am)
Currently there are no locations open for in-person permits. Starting in the middle of May, offices will begin to be staffed and permits will no longer be available over the phone.(4/9/26)
If you have a trip reserved please watch the Backcountry Safety Video and then give our office a call at 307-344-2160 within 5 days of your start date. At the time of your call we will go over the permit and issue you your permit to be printed from home or downloaded to your phone. The Central Backcountry Office is staffed M-F, 8:00 to 4:30pm. Please note is not staffed on weekends and holidays. Please plan accordingly.(4/9/26)
For last minute trips (within 3 days of your start trip) contact the Central Backcountry Office at 307-344-2160. The Central Backcountry Office is staffed 7 days/week, 8:00 to 4:30pm. Please note the office IS Not staffed on weekends and holidays. Please plan accordingly. (4/9/26)
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.
Daly-Black Butte trail is snow free for the first two miles. Daly cutoff has intermittent snow on the trail in the trees. (5/7/26)
Daly Creek trail is in good shape until campsite WF2. Trail becomes muddy with water on the trail and intermittent snow as you get towards the pass. (5/7/26)
Sky Rim trail has some areas that are exposed along a ridge and are not advised to attempt while there is lingering snow pack. (4/09/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Cleared Daly - Black Butte trail (5/7/26); Daly Creek trail is cleared to the pass. (5/6/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED. Stock use typically opens July 1. (4/9/26)
Specimen Trail has intermittent snow on the flats, increasing as you gain elevation. (4/9/26)
Trails Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 1.(4/9/26)
Beaver Ponds Trail is snow free. (4/9/26)
Sepulcher and Snow pass likely have intermittent snow. (4/9/26)
Clearing Status: Trail is cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: Beaver Ponds Trail is not suitable for stock. (7/2/25)
It is unknown whether the Gardner river is currently crossable.(5/12/26)
Glen Creek Trailhead to Cache Lake Junction is snow free. Past the junction is approximately 1-2 feet but passible to Cache Lake. Beyond the lake is 2-3 feet of snow and not passable. (5/3/26)
Bunsen Peak Trail has snow on trail in upper elevations on the switchbacks and on the northern aspects. Snow is able to be bipassed via scree field scramble. (5/9/26)
Osprey Falls Trail dry and in good condition. (5/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Bunsen Peak cleared 5/9/26
Stock Use: Bunsen Peak and Osprey Falls trails not suitable for stock.
Swan Lake is CLOSED. No entry and no boating allowed in order to protect nesting birds(4/09/26)
Stock Use: Not suitable for stock.
Fawn pass has intermittent snow on the flats, increasing in elevation. (4/9/26)
Bacon Rind is mostly snow covered. (4/9/26)
Stock Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock until July 1. (4/9/26)
The barricade is closed to the Indian Creek Campground road/Bighorn Pass Trailhead and visitors must make sure to park outside the barricade so as not to block the barricade. Allow room for emegency services and maintenence crews to access the area. (4/9/26)
Bighorn Pass Trail from the west is mostly snow covered. (4/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Day Use: CLOSED until July 1.(4/9/26
All trails in this area are likely mostly snow covered. (4/9/26)
Trail Clearing status: Not cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED.Stock use opens July 1.
West side of the Gneiss Creek Trail (and campsite WA1) is closed due to Gneiss Creek Bear Management Area. This trail opens on July 1.
Cougar Cabin Trail is snow free. (5/7/26)
Beaver activity about 7 miles in from the Gneiss Creek Trailhead has resulted in trail flooding and deep mud, making it impassable. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: Trail is not suitable for stock. (5/9/26)
Mostly snow free. (4/9/26)
Trail Clearing status: Not cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock until July 1. (4/9/26)
Trail is likely still snowy. (4/14/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use: Trail is not suitable for stock. (4/14/26)
Northeast
Due to the 2022 flood event, many of the rivers in the northern section of the park have changed course. As a result, the locations where trails intersect the rivers may not always be the safest places to cross. Take time to scout upstream and downstream to find the best crossing points.
Caution advised on all Northeast trails as additional erosion has been noted as a result of the 2022 flood.
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 and likely snow free. (4/9/26)
The Lava Creek Trail accessed from the Blacktail Trailhead is open. 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. (4/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Trail has not been cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock. Lava creek is not suitable to stock. (4/14/26)
Wraith Falls Trail is open. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: Not suitable for stock. (5/9/26)
Blacktail Creek is dry (5/4/26)
In 2022 a section of the Yellowstone River trail was washed out 1/2 mile west of campsite 1Y1. Follow the flagged route around the washout. The trail at the washout and the reroute is CLOSED to stock use.
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock.
The barricade at the Hellroaring Trailhead is open. (4/15/25)
Hellroaring Creek Trail is likely mostly snow free. (4/9/26)
Hellroaring Creek is likely crossable. (4/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock. (4/9/26)
Lost Lake Trail is now open. (4/9/26)
Trail to Lost Lake Falls is CLOSED due to wash out.See map above. (4/9/26).
Trail Clearing Status: Cleared of downed trees (5/7/26)
Stock Use: Not suitable for stock. (4/14/26)
The Garnett Hill Loop Trail is open to foot travel. There is road construction in the area and Garnet Hill Trailhead is not open, so visitors can use Tower Fall restroom area to park vehicles. Visitors wanting to make the loop will need to connect with the wagon road to access the trail and return the same way. Please step off the trail when you see the wagons. (5/4/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Trail has not been cleared. (5/9/26)
Stock Use: Not suitable for stock due to washout. (4/9/26)
Trail open. (5/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not Cleared. (4/9/26) Stock Use: Not suitable to stock use. (5/9/26)
Buffalo Fork trail is inaccessible because Slough Creek is not likely crossable. Trail is muddy/wet from runoff in areas.(5/7/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Cleared (5/7/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock. (4/9/26)
Likely snow free at trailhead, with increasing snow as you gain elevation. (4/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Trail not cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock. (4/9/26)
Pebble Creek is likely uncrossable. At this time camspite 3P1 is the only accessible campsite. (5/12/26)
Starting May 28th there will be intermittent helicopter operations utilizing the Pebble Creek Stock Trailhead (the larger parking area to the west). During that time visitors should park at the smaller Pebble Creek Trailhead across the bridge to the east. (5/7/26)
Pebble Creek Traillikely snow covered. Bliss Pass inaccessible due to snow. (4/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Trails not cleared. (4/9/26)
Specimen Ridge trail likely has patchy snow. (4/09/26)
As spring run-off increases, the Lamar River located on the east side of the Specimen River Trail will not be crossable. At that point access to Specimen Ridge will only be through the Specimen Ridge Trailhead. Don't be caught on the wrong side of the river as it is a 14 mile backtrack to the trailhead (4/09/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Trail not cleared. (5/9/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock.(4/9/26)
Lower Lamar Trail likely has patchy snow. (4/9/26)
Cache Creek which is about 3 miles from the Lamar River trailhead is currently crossable, but as temperatures rise runoff will make the river uncrossable. Be cautious: waterways which are crossable in the morning may rise to unsafe levels by afternoon. Don't get caught on the wrong side of the stream.(4/09/26)
The Pelican Valley Trailhead is closed until July 4th due to the Pelican Valley Bear Management area. No through travel from Lamar River to Pelican Valley. (5/9/26)
Miller and Frost Lake trails likely snowy and will become inaccessible when Cache Creek and the Lamar River become uncrossable. (4/09/26)
Stock Trail Clearing: Trail is not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 1st. (4/14/26)
Cache Creek is likley snow free in the lower elevations, and increasingly snowy with increasing elevation. (4/09/26).
Cache Creek is crossable currently, but will soon start to rise. Be cautious that streams which are crossable in the morning may rise to unsafe levels by afternoon. (4/09/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 1, with exception of Clear Lake, which is not suitable for stock. (4/14/26)
Limited access: the Pelican Valley Bear Management Area is in effect (Pelican Valley Bear Management area). Area is CLOSED until July 4th. (4/14/24)
The food pole down in campsite 4B1, bear canisters required. Please call the central backcountry office to book site. (4/014/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Trail not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 4th. (4/14/26)
South Side of the Howard Eaton trail at Fishing Bridge Trail is CLOSED due to carcass. (5/5/26)
Trail Cleared status: Not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock until July 1. (4/14/26)
Partial Closure. Western half of trail is CLOSED due to Mary Mountain BMA. (5/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use: CLOSEDto stock until July 1. (4/14/26)
Old Faithful Temporary Closure
Southwest
Some of this area is currently inaccessible until the roads open for the season. See Roads Page. (4/14/26)
Fairy Falls Trail north of the Grand Prismatic Overlook, Senitnel Meadows Trail, Imperial Meadows Trail, Fairy Creek Trail, Summit Lake Trail, and the Fern Cascade Trail, as well as all campsites along these trails are CLOSED due to wildlife activity until furthe notice. (5/5/26).
Fishing along the river and associated tributaries within the closure area arealso CLOSED.(5/5/26)
Areas that are OPEN are Midway Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail from Fairy Falls Trailhead to Grand Prismatic Overlook (trailis closed beyond the overlook), and Black Sand Basin. (5/5/26)
Mostly snow free with some lingering snow in the shaded or northerly aspects of the trail. (4/9/26)
Expect significant amounts of snow on the trail. (4/16/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 1. (4/16/26)
Mallard Lake trail mostly snow free. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: CLOSEDuntil July 1. (4/9/26)
Snow Covered. (4/9/26)
Caution: ground bees have been nested between Lone Star Geyser and Howard Eaton intersection when in season. (5/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not Cleared. (4/9/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 1. (4/9/26)
Shoshone Lake is snow covered. (4/9/26)
Section of trail between the Shoshone Geyser Basin and campsite 8T1 goes through a very wet area/delta.(5/9/26)
Please note there is an blue unmanned weather catamaran anchored on Lewis Lake. Visitors have mistaked it as a boater in distress, but it is a floating research station gathering weather and water temps.(5/9/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. 4/9/26
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock. Stock season opens July 1, with exception of the Shoshone Geyser Basin which is not suitable for stock and CLOSED year round. (4/16/26)
According to Caribou Targhee National Forest the Cave Falls Road to Bechler Ranger Station is not yet drivable. Bechler area not accessible. (5/8/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock until July 15th. (4/14/26)
According to Caribou Targhee National Forest the Cave Falls Road to Bechler Ranger Station is not yet drivable. Bechler area not accessible. (5/8/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not Cleared. (5/4/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to Stock until July 15. (4/14/26)
According to Caribou Targhee National Forest the Cave Falls Road to Bechler Ranger Station is not yet drivable. Bechler area not accessible. (5/8/26)
Trail Status: Not cleared. (4/16/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock until July 15. (4/16/26)
According to Caribou Targhee National Forest the Cave Falls Road to Bechler Ranger Station is not yet drivable. Bechler area not accessible. (5/8/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/16/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 15th.(4/14/26)
Inaccessible. Grassy Lake road doesn't typically open until June 1. (4/14/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 1. (4/14/26)
Likely snow covered. Conditions unknown. (5/8/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/14/26)
Stock Use: CLOSED to stock until July 1. (4/14/26)
Trailheads along Grassy Lake Rd. inaccessible until the road opens for the season. See Roads Page. (4/14/26)
Trail Clearing Status: Not cleared. (4/16/26)
Stock Use:CLOSED to stock until July 1. (4/14/26)
Southeast
Pelican Nature Trail and Storm Point are nearly free of snow.(5/10/23)
Trail Clearing Status: Storm Point and Pelican Nature Trail cleared (5/10/26)
Stock Use Status: Storm Point is not suitable for stock, other trails open July 1. (4/14/26)
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.
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