Tower-Roosevelt Area Day Hikes

All Tower-Roosevelt area day hikes are moderately strenuous, so be ready for some exercise. But the scenic views, the rivers and the wildlife watching make it all worthwhile.

  • Lost Lake Trail takes hikers a moderately strenuous 4 miles to a horse trail and Lost Lake.
  • Garnet Hill and Hellroaring Trails is a moderately strenuous, 3 to 7-mile hike with two trailheads.
  • Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail takes hikers 3.7 moderately strenuous miles and offers stunning views.

Lost Lake Trail

This loop trail climbs 300 feet to join Roosevelt horse trail, continuing west to Lost Lake. (The east trail from here loops to the Roosevelt corrals on the horse trail and Tower Fall Campground). From Lost Lake, the trail heads to the Petrified Tree parking area. Cross the parking lot and climb the hill at its northeast end to loop behind Tower Ranger Station. Cross the creek and return to the Roosevelt Lodge cabins.

Offering views of Lost Lake, waterfowl, wet meadows, sagebrush hilltops, wildflowers, and sometimes black bears, this trail has a bit of everything, including horses. For safety, move to the downhill side of the trail and remain still until horses pass.

  • Trailhead: Behind Roosevelt Lodge
  • Distance: 4 miles (6.4 km) roundtrip
  • Level of difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Garnet Hill and Hellroaring Trails

Park east of the service station at Tower Junction, walk to Northeast Entrance Road and head west about 1.5 miles to the cookout shelter. Continue north along Elk Creek until nearly reaching the Yellowstone River. Here, the west fork joins Hellroaring Trail and the east fork continues around Garnet Hill and returns to the Northeast Entrance Road and a short walk back to Tower Junction.

The Hellroaring Trail can be reached from the fork of Garnet Hill Trail or, start from the Hellroaring parking area 3.5 miles west of Tower Junction. Follow the trail over the Yellowstone River Suspension Bridge, cross a sagebrush plateau, and drop to Hellroaring Creek. The Yellowstone River and Hellroaring Creek are popular fishing areas. This trail can be hot and dry in summer so remember to take water! Watch your footing if you climb onto the Yellowstone river boulders.

  • Trailhead: Tower Junction or 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of Tower Junction
  • Distance:
    1) Garnet Hill Loop: 7.5 miles (11.8 km) roundtrip
    2) To Hellroaring Creek and back via Garnet Hill: 10 miles (16 km) roundtrip
    3) To Hellroaring Creek and back via Hellroaring Trailhead: 4 miles (4.6 km) roundtrip
  • Level of difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail

This east rim trail offers views of the Narrows of the Yellowstone, Overhanging Cliff area, towers of Tower Fall, basalt columns, and the historic Bannock Indian Ford. Tower Fall itself is not visible, but the store and highway across the river can be seen. The trail ties into Specimen Ridge Trail above Bannock Ford.

Continue to Specimen Ridge only if you are prepared for a longer hike with few trail markers. Otherwise, hike north about one mile to the Specimen Ridge Trailhead. Walk west another 0.7 mile to the Yellowstone River Picnic Area. Watch for bighorn sheep and use caution along the steep river canyon.

  • Trailhead: Yellowstone Picnic Area, 1.25 miles (2 km) northeast of Tower Junction on the road to the Northeast Entrance and Cooke City
  • Distance: 3.7 miles (5.9 km) roundtrip
  • Level of difficulty: Moderately strenuous

Slough Creek Trail

This is both a scenic walk and a fishing trail, a favorite of catch-and-release anglers. The trail follows a historic wagon trail up Slough Creek through meadows and over Plateau and Elk Tongue creeks. From the trailhead, the trail switchbacks up a moderately steep trail and rejoins Slough Creek in about 2 miles at the first meadow.

While wildlife do not abound in this meadow in summer, moose are commonly seen. Grizzly and black bears also use this valley. Be alert for bears in the backcountry and watch for the horse drawn wagons of Silver Tip Ranch, a private ranch north of the park with a historic right of access.

  • Trailhead: Near the vault toilet on the road to Slough Creek Campground
  • Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) one way to First Meadow; 5 miles (8 km) one way to Second Meadow
  • Level of difficulty: Moderately strenuous for first 1.5 miles (2.4 km), then easy.

Mt. Washburn Trail

This popular hikes has two trails, each 3 miles, that switchback to the summit for expansive views of much of Yellowstone. An enclosed observation area allows you to get out of the wind. Bighorn sheep are seen quite frequently in the summer on the upper trails. Harsh alpine conditions contribute to short growing seasons for the fragile alpine vegetation on the mountain so please stay on the trails and do not approach wildlife.

The northern trail begins at the Chittenden Road parking area. The southern trail begins at Dunraven Pass parking area. More parking is available at the Chittenden Road Trailhead.

  • Trailheads: Chittenden Road Parking Area, 8.7 miles (13.9 km) or Dunraven Pass Parking Area, 13.6 miles (21.8 km) south of Tower Junction on the Tower-Canyon Road
  • Distance: 6 miles (9.6 km) roundtrip
  • Level of difficulty: Moderately strenuous

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