Purple Mountain Trail is a 6 mile out and back trail to the peak of purple mountain. This is a beautifully forested trail with little foot traffic is a quiet respite from the crowds of Yellowstone.

The trailhead is located just east of Madison Campground, and a quarter mile north of Madison Junction. Purple Mountain Trail has a steady incline. Hikers climb 1,500 feet in three miles. This steady incline makes Purple Mountain Trail a challenging hike.

At the beginning of the hike the trail is heavily forested. Purple mountain trail is quiet, allowing hikers to connect with nature as they climb. As the trail ascends the trees thin giving hikers more views of the valley. From the top of the trail hikers can view the Madison and Gibbon rivers. The panoramic view available from the top of the trail is one you don’t want to miss.

Purple Mountain Trail is only open during the summer and fall months due to heavy snow in the winter and spring.

This hike is an exciting adventure to add to any visit to Yellowstone National Park. Visitors who camp at Madison Campground will enjoy the proximity to Purple Mountain Trail. The peak of Purple Mountain is an exciting destination for your hiking bucket list.

Harlequin Lake Trail is a beautiful short hike that can be taken in under an hour. This scenic hike is easy and family friendly, making it the perfect activity to add to any Yellowstone visit.

The trail begins on Highway 191 just west of Madison Campground and Madison Canyon. There are several pullout areas near the trailhead where parking is available.  Harlequin Lake Trail is approximately a half mile there and back. The trail is level and well established, making this a walk for hikers of any level.

The trail is surrounded by a pine forest made up of both large old trees and small new ones. Hikers on Harlequin Lake trail can also enjoy a view of the small, pine covered mountains in the distance.

At the end of the trail hikers enjoy a close-up view of Harlequin Lake. The lake is covered in lily pads with colorful flowers, and several varieties of waterfowls are frequently seen on the lake. This lake is named after the Harlequin duck that can be frequently seen in this area.

Despite its proximity to the highway, this beautiful hike is quiet and low in traffic making this a wonderful respite from the crowds that often occupy the busier Yellowstone areas. This easily accessible and walkable hike to Harlequin Lake is one you won’t want to miss.

Seven Mile Hole is a challenging out and back trail that winds along and into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This 10-mile hike begins and ends at Canyon Village where parking is available.

From Canyon Village, Seven Mile Hole Trail goes along the canyon rim. Hikers can enjoy views of Silver Cord Cascade as they walk along this first section of trail. About three miles into the hike the trail turns and descends into the canyon. This decent is 1,000 feet in 2.3 miles making this trail an exciting challenge for hikers.

Once hikers finish their decent into the canyon, they can enjoy a new perspective of the canyon from Seven Mile Hole. The canyon walls are beautiful and colorful from the bottom and the up-close view of the Yellowstone River is inspiring.

Along Seven Mile Hole Trail there are several active and dormant hot springs. This thermal activity creates beautiful views but can also be a safety hazard. Hikers should remain on the established trails.

The return hike to Canyon Village is the most difficult part of hiking Seven Mile Hole Trail because of the steep ascent as hikers emerge from the canyon. Hikers sometimes opt to take the trail in two-day chunks and camp overnight. There are several campsites available for reservation through Yellowstone. Campers should come prepared with food, water and other supplies as these are primitive campsites.

The stunning views of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the challenge of the hike make Seven Mile Hole Trail an adventure to add to your bucket list.

Beaver Ponds Trail is a wonderful short hike accessible from Mammoth Hot Springs. The trail forms a loop between the two trailheads available at Mammoth Hot Springs. The loop is just over 5 miles with a 650-foot elevation gain and can be completed in 2 to 5 hours.

Hiking Beaver Ponds Trail provides the hikers with some spectacular views, including a unique, distant perspective of Mammoth Hot Springs. This trail is famous for the four ponds that are visible to hikers. These ponds vary in sizes. The largest pond, Beaver Pond, is at the hook of the loop. The smaller ponds are surrounded with reeds and coated with algae in the summer months.

There is abundant wildlife to be seen on Beaver Ponds Trail. Elk and Beavers frequent the area surrounding the trail. Wildflowers and birds can also be seen from the trail. Black bears and grizzly bears are occasionally in the area. Be cautious and safe by keeping your distance around the wildlife.

The trail is easy to follow and great for hikers of all levels. Hiking Beaver Ponds Trail is a wonderful addition to any Yellowstone or Mammoth Hot Springs visit. This short hike is great to take in the morning or evening.

Rim Trail is a wonderful way for hikers to explore the breathtaking views of Bryce Canyon from above the canyon. The trail curves around the park allowing hikers to view the spectacular, red rock formations from every major viewing point. Rim Trail Serves as a connection between major viewing points and trails throughout the park. 

Hikers typically start hiking the trail at Fairyland Point and finish at Bryce Point. The entire trail between these points is 5.5 miles one way, or 11 miles out and back. Despite its length this trail is considered one of the easier trails in Bryce canyon. It is relatively level with gradual inclines and declines.

Hikers who don’t wish to hike the entire trail can start and end at any of the viewing points along the trail. A commonly hiked portion of the trail is between Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. Between these two points the trail is half a mile, or one mile out and back. This section of the trail is paved and is wheelchair accessible in good weather.

Rim Trail is a great access point to many trails down into the rock formations, or Hoodoos. Queens Garden Trail, Fairyland Loop Trail, and Peek-A-Boo Trail are all accessible from Rim Trail and make great additions to any hike.

Hat Shop Trail is a moderately difficult hike with the view of some delicately balanced rock formations. These rock formations are where the Hat Shop Trail got its name. Huge gray boulders can be found balancing on slender red rock stilts, resembling hat displays in an old-fashioned hat shop. These unique formations are the destination of this stimulating hike.

The hike to Hat Shop is 4 miles out and back. During warmer months the trail is considered moderately difficult. The hike down and back is an accomplishment not meant for hikers of all levels. The trail is very steep and rocky. In the winter Hat Shop Trail is considered very difficult and should only be attempted by accomplished hikers with proper footwear.

Hikers should come prepared with snacks, water, sunscreen and hats for UV protection. The hike to and from Hat Shop takes several hours and has very little shade.

Hat Shop Trail gives hikers the opportunity to see the unique formations at Hat Shop as well as some of the more common Bryce Canyon formations. Hikers will view a of the classic red canyon formations, the Pink Cliffs and the far-off mountain ranges on this hike. Hiking Hat Shop Trail is a distinctive accomplishment that will always stick in your memory.

Swamp Canyon Trail is a wonderful, lesser-explored trail of moderate difficulty. Hikers in this area can expect to see some of Bryce Canyon’s famous rock formations, while also experiencing the more forested area that is Swamp Canyon.

Swamp Canyon is surrounded by pink and red cliffs that provide a striking contrast with the evergreen Ponderosa Pines that surround the trail.

This is a loop trail that can be hiked in either direction. It is recommended that hikers hike the loop in a counter clockwise direction. Hiking in this direction, hikers will begin on the portion of the trail called Sheep Creek Connecting Trail and end on the portion of the trail that is considered part of Under the Rim Trail. Hikers descend 800 feet in elevation during the first half of their hike and ascend 800 feet as they complete the loop.

Hikers can park at the Swamp Canyon Overlook where the loop begins and ends. Water and Restrooms are not available at Swamp Canyon Overlook, so be sure to come prepared.

Swamp Canyon Trail is well marked and easy for hikers to follow. In places the trail is washed out or blocked by fallen trees, but it is always easy to tell where the trail connects.

Swamp Canyon Trail is one of the lesser explored trails of Bryce Canyon and makes for a peaceful escape from the more popular, crowded areas of this National Park. The peaceful nature and beautiful views of Swamp Canyon Trail make this hike one you don’t want to miss.

Peek-a-boo Loop Trail is one of the more strenuous hikes available in Bryce Canyon. The unique challenge this loop provides has beautiful views that are well worth the hike. This three-mile loop can be accessed using a clearly marked trail from Bryce Point. This trail can be found on the North side of the Bryce Point parking lot.

The decent from Bryce Point to Peek-a-boo Loop Trail is rapid, making this trail more difficult than most in the park. The trail is about 2 miles, making the entire hike about 5 miles.

There are no restrooms or water stations along the trail, however the bottom of the loop is shaded with green trees, giving a wonderful respite from the heat of the sun.  

From Peek-a-boo Loop Trail hikers have a wonderful view of the Bryce Amphitheater. Throughout the loop you can see several incredible rock formations, Hoodoos, both up close and in the distance.

Because Peek-a-boo Loop is a distance from any popular trailhead in Bryce it is one of the quietest hikes available, with very little traffic from other hikers. Hikers on the trail may run into mules and horses, as this is the only hiking trail open to riders. Horse and mule rides can be scheduled through Bryce Canyon Park Services.

Peek-a-boo Loop is the perfect trail for hikers looking for a challenging, quiet and scenic hike.

Riggs Spring Loop Trail is the perfect trail for hikers wishing to escape to the wilderness. This is one of the least trafficked trails in Bryce Canyon and one of the most forested. The ponderosa pines surround the Riggs Spring Loop Trail, after your decent into the canyon, making this a unique trail in the park.

The loop is a little over 8 miles in length. Because of its length and steep ascent, Riggs Spring Loop Trail is considered one of the more difficult trails in Bryce Canyon. The loop ascends and descends 2248 feet. Hikers should come prepared for a long, strenuous hike.

Riggs Spring Loop Trail begins near Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point. Hikers connect to the loop using Bristlecone Loop Trail. This trail begins at the Rainbow Point parking lot. From Bristlecone Loop Trail hikers can find clearly marked turn offs for Riggs Spring Loop Trail. The turn offs are found about a quarter mile from the trailhead. 

Though Riggs Spring Loop Trail has fewer views of the more popular Bryce Canyon rock formations, hikers experience wonderful views of the Pink Cliffs and green forests that can’t be experienced anywhere else in the park. Riggs Spring Loop Trail is a wonderful way for hikers to experience some of the park's lesser known beauties on a peaceful trail.

Cascade Lake Trail is an easy, short hike through picturesque meadows to the beautiful cascade lake. The trailhead is located North of Canyon Village on Grand Loop Road. There is a pullout here where parking is available.

Cascade Lake Trail is an out and back trail. The hike out and back is 4.5 miles and takes approximately two to three hours to complete. The trail is clearly marked and easy to follow. With very few, small and gradual changes in elevation this hike is friendly to hikers of any level.

As in other areas of Yellowstone National Park, wildlife can frequently be seen from the trail. Bison, bears, moose, elk, coyotes and other animals can sometimes be seen from the trail as well as several bird varieties. Be sure to keep a lookout for and a safe distance from wildlife.

The trail is forested in some areas, providing the respite of shade for hikers. The fielded areas of Cascade Lake Trail are dotted with wildflowers during the summer months. It is recommended that this hike is taken during the summer or fall as snow can linger late into the spring.

Fishing on Cascade Lake is allowed. Those who wish to fish on Cascade Lake must follow Yellowstone’s fishing rules and regulations.

Hiking Cascade Lake Trail is a wonderful adventure to add to any Yellowstone trip for hikers of any level. The connection with the wild that can be felt on this uncrowded trail is a welcome respite from the busy world.

Hiking Mount Washburn via Chittenden Road is the shortest and easiest route to the top. The trail was once a service road and is now a clear well packed trail with a steady, gradual incline. The trail starts at a parking area on Chittenden road.

Mount Washburn Trail via Chittenden Road is an out and back trail. The trail takes most hikers three to five hours to complete and is 5.8 miles there and back.

At the top of the mountain there is a shelter with some interpretive exhibits. The view from the peak can be seen from inside and outside the shelter. There are clear views that can be seen as you hike up Chittenden Road.

Wildlife is frequently seen by hikers on Chittenden Road. Hikers often see bighorn sheep and wildflowers along the trail. During the fall months grizzly bears are frequently seen in the Mount Washburn area.

It is recommended that hikers take this trail in the summer and early fall months. The trail is closed through the winter and spring due to heavy snow.

Chittenden Road is a fast and easy way for hikers to experience the views from Mount Washburn. Taking only a few hours this hike is a wonderful way to explore a new perspective of Yellowstone National Park.