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Montana Best of Hikes: Yellowstone hikes near Gardiner

Posted on Dec 28, 2009 in hiking

Top 5 best Montana hikes near Yellowstone National Park town Gardiner

Gardiner, Montana, offers some of best hiking in Yellowstone National Park. This area of the park is known as “Mammoth,” also the name given to the enormous, surreal and colorful hot springs in the area. Here’s our top 5, not to miss hikes in this part of Montana. Nearby Gardiner offers great Montana hotels where you can kick back and relax afterward.

  1. The Beaver Ponds Loop trail begins just north of Liberty Cap and the Mammoth Terraces, with a 350 foot (106.7 m) climb up and above Clematis Gulch, that eventually leads to a meadow. The hike, at 5 miles, is considered moderate in difficulty. Look for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, moose, beaver dams and lodges, the occasional beaver, and waterfowl. Be alert for bears: both black and grizzly bears forage in this area.
  2. Bunsen Peak is a slightly shorter hike, at 4.2 miles, but has a 1,300 foot climb in that short distance. On this trail you’ll have the opportunity to see  spectacular views of the Blacktail Plateau, Swan Lake Flat, Gallatin Mountain Range, and the Yellowstone River Valley. You’ll also see the 150 foot tall Osprey Falls.
  3. The Lava Creek hike is good for families, at only 3.5 miles in distance (an estimated 3-4 hours of hiking time). On this hike, you’ll have the chance to cross the Gardiner River by footbridge, and the possibility of seeing various wildlife.
  4. Rescue Creek offers a more difficult hike at 8 miles (one way). On this hike you’ll cross a variety of terrains, from Blacktail Pond through aspens forests and meadows, then through forests to sagebrush flats that lead to a footbridge across the Gardiner River.
  5. Sepulcher Mountain offers up a tough hike, with great rewards. The hike covers 11 miles, and rises 3,400 feet. You’ll pass through beautiful Yellowstone forests and meadows, before reaching the top of this 9,652 foot mountain, that offers a spectacular panoramic view of the park, great for Yellowstone National Park photography.

We always recommend checking in with a Yellowstone National Park tour guide or a park ranger to get the most up to day information on trail conditions, weather, trail closures and wildlife activity. Here’s a few we recommend.

  • Yellowstone Yearround Adventures is a family owned business out of Gardiner that has been doing guided tours of Yellowstone National Park since 1997. The do Wildlife Tours, Geyser and Waterfall tours, Day Hikes and Snowshoe Treks. Call (406) 223-2601.
  • Flying Pig Adventure Company another family owned Gardiner buisness, run by travel experts, this tour company does a mix of one, two and three day guided tours that focus on a mix of activities and sight seeing. A great way to get the most out of your Yellowstone vacation. Call (406) 848-7510.

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