Trip Idea

Day Hikes in the Grant & West Thumb Area

Multiple Parks

Visitors stroll along the boardwalks near the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
Duration Half Day
Topic(s) Trails
Activities Hiking
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Solitary/Remote, Inspirational, Outdoors, Group Friendly more »
Parks Yellowstone National Park
People walking along West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk
The boardwalk trails at West Thumb Geyser Basin provide views of hydrothermal features, Yellowstone Lake, and the surrounding mountains.

NPS/Diane Renkin

Day Hikes in the West Thumb & Grant Area
  • Yellowstone National Park

    Duck Lake Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: West Thumb Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A small lake surrounded by conifer forest.

    Climb a small hill for a view of Duck and Yellowstone lakes and the expanse of the 1988 fires that swept through this area.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Lewis River Channel/Dogshead Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Lewis Lake
    • Duration: 5–8 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A hiker follows a trail alongside a river through a forest.

    Hike through forest to the crystal-clear waters of the Lewis River Channel. Look for eagles and osprey fishing for trout in the shallow waters.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Riddle Lake Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Grant Village
    • Duration: 2–4 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A lake covered in lily pads sits in front of a mountain.

    Hike through small mountain meadows and forests to the shores of a picturesque little lake. Look for elk in the meadows and for birds near the lake.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    DeLacy Creek Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Craig Pass
    • Duration: 3–5 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A creek flows through a meadow surrounded by trees.

    Hike along a forest’s edge and through open meadows to the shores of Yellowstone’s largest backcountry lake. Look for sandhill cranes, moose, and water birds.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: West Thumb Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 30–60 Minutes
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A turquoise hot spring pool surrounded by a boardwalk sits above a large lake.

    Stroll through a geyser basin of colorful hot springs and dormant lakeshore geysers situated on the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: West Thumb Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 1–3 Hours
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    A broad mountain rises above a forested slope.

    Hike to a high mountain meadow for a commanding view of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake and the distant Absaroka Mountains.

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Last updated: July 18, 2024