Thing to Do

Mount Washburn Spur Trail

View of a forested mountainside with a canyon visible in the distance.

This is a long day hike is started and ended at the same trailhead. However, along the trail are beautiful views of wildflowers, Mount Washburn, and even the Washburn Hot Springs. Alternatively, this trail can be started after ascending Mount Washburn from the Chittenden Road - Mount Washburn Trail or the Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail, though plans would need to be made for either being dropped off at the alternative trailheads or return to the same.

Safety notes: Be aware of lightning above treeline. There is no access to water along this trail. Grizzly bears frequent the Mount Washburn area in the fall, seeking out whitebark pine nuts. Hiking this trail is not recommended in September and October. These hikes are not recommended for persons with heart and/or respiratory problems.

Trailheads: Glacial Boulder pullout on the road to Inspiration Point.

Details
This is a 16.2-mile (25.9-kilometer) there-and-back trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.
Strenuous hike
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
This trail is in the central part of the park, on the north side of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone National Park

Tags

Forested mountainside with mountains and canyon in the distance.
View from Dunraven Pass of the landscape the Mount Washburn Spur Trail traverses.

NPS/J. Schmidt

More on Day Hikes in Yellowstone

Hikers standing on the rocky top of Avalanche Peak with Yellowstone Lake in the background.

Yellowstone Day Hikes

Lace up your boots and explore some of the over 1,000 miles of trails in Yellowstone National Park.

Waterfall drops down into the steep, yellow-wall lined canyon with conifer forests growing around.

Canyon Area Day Hikes

Explore lakes and mountaintops for a variety of experiences around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

Tags

Last updated: March 25, 2021