Mammoth Area Day Hikes

There are plenty of great trails to choose from for a day hike in the Mammoth area of Yellowstone. Panoramic views, aspens and pines, grassy hills and rivers await you!

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Elliott Guest Home Rental - Downtown Livingston : Livingston, MT
A charming and historic 3-bdrm home that sleeps 8, ideal for anglers and Yellowstone visitors who love day hiking around the Park and local forest service trails.

  • Beaver Ponds Loop Trail is a moderate 5-mile hike starting at Clematis Gulch.
  • Osprey Falls Trail is a difficult 8-mile roundtrip hike.
  • Lava Creek Trail is a moderate 7-mile roundtrip hike starting on Mammoth-Tower Road.
  • Wraith Falls is an easy 1-mile roundtrip hike.

Multiple wildlife viewing opportunities exist on these scenic Mammoth hikes through forest, meadow, and waterfall areas.

Beaver Ponds Loop Trail

The trail follows the creek up 350 feet to Clematis Gulch through Douglas-fir trees to beaver ponds 2.5 miles later. Continuing through meadows of sagebrush and aspens, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, moose, beaver dams and lodges, and the occasional beaver and black bear may be seen.

  • Trailhead: Clematis Gulch between Liberty Cap and the stone house (Judge's house)
  • Distance: 5 mile loop
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Bunsen Peak Trail

This gradual 1,300 foot climb to Bunsen Peak provides a panoramic view of Blacktail Plateau, Swan Lake Flats, Gallatin Mountain Range, and Yellowstone River Valley. Return the same route or hike down the back side to Osprey Falls trailhead (about 2 miles) to the Old Bunsen Peak Road Trail. Or visit Osprey Falls (2.8 more miles).

  • Trailhead: Entrance of the Old Bunsen Peak Road, five miles south of Mammoth toward Norris
  • Distance: 10 miles roundtrip depending on side trips, 2 miles to the summit.
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Osprey Falls Trail

Hike 2.5 miles through grassland and burnt forest before veering off to the rim of Sheepeater Canyon and a series of switchbacks to the bottom. The Gardner River plunges 150 feet, forming Osprey Falls. Cliffs rise 500 feet above you, forming one of the deepest Yellowstone canyons.

  • Trailhead: 5 miles south of Mammoth on the Old Bunsen Peak Road Trail
  • Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
  • Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Lava Creek Trail

Follow Lava Creek downstream past Undine Falls, descending gradually to Gardner River. Cross a foot bridge and ascend to a pullout on North Entrance Road north of Mammoth Campground.

  • Trailhead: The bridge at Lava Creek picnic area on the Mammoth-Tower Road
  • Distance: 3.5 miles one way; 7 miles roundtrip
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Rescue Creek Trail

Follow Blacktail Deer Creek trail 3/4 mile until meeting Rescue Creek trail. Climb gradually through aspens and meadows before descending 1,400 feet to Gardner River. The trail crosses a river foot bridge, ending one mile south of North Entrance Station.

  • Trailhead: Blacktail Trailhead on the Mammoth-Tower Road, seven miles east of Mammoth
  • Distance: 8 miles on way; 16 miles roundtrip
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Sepulcher Mountain Trail

Follow Beaver Ponds Trail to Sepulcher Mountain Trail junction. This trail rises 3,400 feet through pine trees and meadows to the 9,652 foot summit of Sepulcher. Continue along the opposite side of the mountain to Snow Pass Trail junction. Continue until reaching the Howard Eaton Trail junction which leads west of Mammoth Terraces to the original trailhead.

  • Trailhead: Clematis Gulch between Liberty Cap and the stone house
  • Distance: 11 mile (17.7 km) loop trail
  • Level of Difficulty: Strenuous

Wraith Falls

This short, easy hike through sagebrush and Douglas-fir forest leads to Wraith Falls on Lupine Creek.

  • Trailhead: Pullout ¼ mile east of Lava Creek Picnic area on Mammoth-Tower Road
  • Distance: 1 mile round trip
  • Level of Difficulty: Easy

Blacktail Deer Creek-Yellowstone River Trail

Follow Blacktail Deer Creek down 1,100 feet through rolling, grassy hills and Douglas-fir to Yellowstone River. Continue across Yellowstone River on a steel suspension bridge and join Yellowstone River Trail. Continue downriver, passing Knowles Falls and entering arid terrain before arriving in Gardiner, Montana.

  • Trailhead: Blacktail Trailhead on the Mammoth-Tower Road, seven miles east of Mammoth
  • Distance: 12.5 miles one way
  • Level of Difficulty: Moderate due to length

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