Tips For Planning Your Best Yellowstone Hiking Trip

A wide shot of Yellowstone National Park full of green bushes and trees

Hiking is one of the best activities to do while in the Great Northwest, and that’s why thousands of people head to the park each year. The key to enjoying your hiking trip to the fullest, however, is making sure that you get some great Yellowstone National Park hiking tips before heading out. There are many different types of trails that you can choose to hike, including a wide variety of loops, side trips, and even spur trails that can be built upon. Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your hiking experience.

The first thing that you need to do when looking for the best Yellowstone National Park trails is to determine what level of hiking you’re looking to do before heading out. If you’re an experienced hiker, then you probably want to head into the park on the busiest hiking day of the year – Juneau’s Open Range Day. This is also the day when the busiest animals will be found roaming the grounds. As you can expect, the crowds will be much smaller, and you’ll find that you won’t have to deal with so much noise as you would if you were going on a backpacking trip.

For those that are just starting out and want to start out on the easiest hiking trails around, the Grand Teton loop is the place to start. This route starts from the south entrance of the park, which happens to be by the Talkeetna Pass road, and it takes about seven hours for a car to make it to the park headquarters. The best Yellowstone National Park trails that start at the south entrance are the North Fork Wilderness Trail, the Sunrise Highway loop, and the Sunrise Canyon Trail. All of these are moderately strenuous, but they are also beautiful and offer scenic views of the Continental Divide.

Before you begin hiking, it is important that you make sure that you bring the proper camping supplies. Unless you’re just planning on staying at a campsite, you’re going to need food, water, and a good pair of boots. If you’re going to hike on your own, you may also want to invest in some hiking poles or a hiking pole harness. You should never walk alone in the park, even if you’re on a well-known hiking trail, so always carry at least one other person. Even if you’re going on foot, you can’t be too safe.

Another thing that you should bring along is a map of the park. You can never be too prepared when you’re going in, so it’s always good to have a good idea of what you’re going to see and to know where you’re going. If you do happen to run into trouble or come across an unexpected obstacle, you want to be able to quickly figure out your way back to the trail head and your vehicle. It’s also a good idea to bring a phone, sunglasses, rain gear, and any other personal items that you think you might need. This won’t be essential during your time out in the park, but it can be useful if you get separated from your companionship.

The best Yellowstone camping trips will allow you to discover the park’s many wonderful sites and spectacular scenery. While you’re camping outdoors, you will be exposed to many beautiful wildflowers and other plants. Hiking in the park will give you a chance to view many geysers and waterfalls as well. Whether you’re taking your family camping for the weekend or spending a week traveling through the numerous parks and valleys, you will have an unforgettable camping experience.