Canyon Area Day Hikes

Find the perfect Yellowstone day hike for you and your family on this page according to the level of difficulty, distance, and location you desire.

  • Howard Eaton Trail offers hikers 3 - 12 fairly easy miles of marshland and forest.
  • Cascade Lake Trail is an easy 3-hour hike through wildflowers and marshland.
  • Observation Peak is a strenuous 11-mile hike with two trailheads.
  • Grebe Lake Trail takes hikers a moderately easy 6 miles through meadows and forests.

Check out these Canyon Area hikes for some great views of Yellowstone's wildlife, wildflowers and geothermal features.

Mary Mountain Trail
This trail gradually climbs Mary Mountain and the park's Central Plateau to the Nez Perce trailhead between Madison and Old Faithful. Watch for Elk and bison. The Hayden Valley trail is often difficult to follow because bison knock down trail markers.

  • Trailhead: North of Alum Creek pullout, 4 miles south of Canyon Junction
  • Distance: 21 miles one way
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Howard Eaton Trail
This mostly flat hike takes 2-8 hours, passing through forest, meadow, and marshland to Cascade Lake (3 mi; 4.8 km), Grebe Lake (4.25 mi; 6.8 km), Wolf Lake (6.25 mi; 10 km), Ice Lake (8.25 mi; 13.7 km), and Norris Campground (12 mi; 19.3 km). Usually, this trail is muddy through July. Bring insect repellant!

  • Trailhead: 0.5 miles (0.8 km) west of Canyon Junction on the Norris-Canyon Road
  • Distance: From 3-12 miles one way, depending on destination
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderately easy

Cascade Lake Trail
This 3-hour hike through meadows and over creeks offers great wildlife and wildflower viewing opportunities. This trail is often muddy through July.

  • Trailhead: Cascade Lake Picnic Area, 1.5 miles north of Canyon Jct. on the Tower-Canyon Road.
  • Distance: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) roundtrip
  • Level of Difficulty: Easy

Observation Peak
Hike to Cascade Lake from either of its two trailheads. From the lake, this strenuous, 1,400 foot, 3-mile climb takes roughly 3 hours to a high mountain peak. The trail passes through meadows and whitebark pine forests. Past Cascade Lake, no water is available along the trail.

  • Trailhead: 1) Cascade Lake Picnic Area, 1.5 miles north of Canyon Jct. on the Tower-Canyon Road. 2) 1/4 mile west of Canyon on the Norris-Canyon Road.
  • Distance: 11 miles roundtrip
  • Level of Difficulty: Strenuous

Grebe Lake Trail
This mostly flat 3-hour hike follows an old fire road through meadows and forest, some of which burned during the fires of 1988. At the lake, you can connect with the Howard Eaton Trail.

  • Trailhead: 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of Canyon Junction on the Norris-Canyon Road
  • Distance: 6 miles (9.7 km) roundtrip
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderately easy

Seven Mile Hole Trail
This 6 to 8-hour hike follows the Canyon Rim for the first 1.5 miles (2.4 km), to views of Silver Cord Cascade. Continue north another 0.5 mile (0.8 km) to join the Washburn Spur Trail; at 3 miles (4.8 km), the trail drops off to Seven Mile Hole, a 1.5 mile (2.4 km), 1,400 foot (425 m) drop. Hike carefully and pace yourself. Be mindful when the trail passes both dormant and active hot springs. Off-trail travel is prohibited.

  • Trailhead: Glacial Boulder Trailhead on Inspiration Point Road
  • Distance: 11 miles (17.7 km) roundtrip
  • Level of Difficulty: Very Strenuous

Washburn Trail/Washburn Spur Trail
This strenuous, 6 to 8-hour trail takes hikers to wildflowers, bighorn sheep, and spectacular views. After a 3-mile ascent, the Washburn Spur Trail descends 3. 7 steep miles to Washburn Hot Springs, including mud pots. Continue past the turnoff to Seven Mile Hole and follow the trail to Glacial Boulder and the Canyon area.

  • Trailhead: Dunraven Pass, Washburn Trailhead, 4.5 miles north of Canyon Junction
  • Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 km) one way
  • Level of Difficulty: Strenuous

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