West Yellowstone, Montana

Looking for the best backpacking in West Yellowstone? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around West Yellowstone. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near West Yellowstone

  • Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    Cascade Lake Trail

    5.78 mi / 404 ft gain
    The out-and-back Cascade Lake Trail starts from the Cascade Creek Trailhead off of Norris Canyon Road in Yellowstone National Park. The trail passes through open meadows as you hike to Cascade Lake where wildflowers abound and wildlife is often seen.You will need a wilderness permit to backpack a...
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  • Gallatin Gateway, Montana

    Backpack the Gallatin Crest Trail

    42 mi / 6000 ft gain
    There are some different options for starting and ending this hike, but the route I did started at Buffalo Horn Trailhead and ends at the Hyalite Creek Trailhead, and is approximately 42 miles total. I did the trail over the course of three and a half days, spending three nights in the backcountr...
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  • Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    Stand Up Paddle Lewis Lake to Shoshone Lake

    5.0
    It is something fantastic if you know how to use a standup paddle board. Being able to paddle from one lake to another where no roads can reach via a small channel with natural geysers going off and trout rising to morning and afternoon flies. The water being, in some parts, very warm because of...
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  • Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    Dunanda Falls via Boundary Creek Trail

    4.5
    16.56 mi / 771 ft gain
    You'll start at the Bechler Ranger Station and take the Boundry Creek Trail. Depending on which camp site you reserve your hike will be anywhere from 5-9 miles. We camped at site 9A1 5 miles from the ranger station. Hiking to waterfall is 16+ miles round trip Your feet will get wet on this hike,...
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  • Alta, Wyoming

    Union Falls and Scout Pool

    5.0
    15.42 mi / 1755 ft gain
    Of a summer spent living in Yellowstone, and many overnight trips in the park, the trek to Union Falls and Scout Pool ranked at the top of my list. (Many of my fellow gas station employees agreed!) The hike itself is nothing spectacular, but takes you to two of the most beautiful places in the pa...
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  • Gallatin Gateway, Montana

    Hike to Golden Trout Lakes

    4.0
    5 mi / 1300 ft gain
    The Golden Trout lakes offer a scenic getaway just out of the Gallatin Valley Canyon. To access the trail head, turn east onto Portal Creek Road #984 and continue southeast for 6.8 miles. The road is in rough condition and is better suited for vehicles with a higher clearance. The trail head is e...
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  • Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    Backpack to Slough Creek's Backcountry Campsites

    20.49 mi / 1286 ft gain
    Access to Slough Creek is via the Slough Creek Road that starts 6 miles east on the Northeast Entrance Road from Tower Junction. It is 2.5 miles to the Slough Creek Campground located at the end of the road. Starting at the Slough Creek Trailhead you will find a small parking area and a restroom...
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  • Gallatin Gateway, Montana

    Beehive Basin Trail No. 40

    5.0
    7.01 mi / 1601 ft gain
    Beehive Basin Trail No. 40 is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Big Sky, Montana.
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  • Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    Lamar River Trail

    5.0
    33.2 mi / 3304 ft gain
    Lamar River Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
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