Montana Best of Hiking: Madison area of Yellowstone

Posted on Dec 28, 2009 in hiking

Our best hikes for the Madison area of Yellowstone National Park

This area offers excellent hiking just a short drive from the city of West Yellowstone, Montana, were you’ll find some of the best in Montana hotels, Montana vacation rentals and lodging, near some of the highlights of the park.

Yellowstone is where the wild things are.

Harlequin Lake: This hike offers an easy ascent through burned lodgepole forest to a marshy little lake popular with waterfowl (but not, despite the name, harlequin ducks). At just 1.5 miles, it’s great for a quick family hike. Bring mosquito repellent.

Purple Mountain: Hike up through burned patches of lodgepole forest and to reach a great views of Madison Junction, Firehole Valley and lower Gibbon Valley. This hike is moderate, at 6 miles round trip, and about 1,500 feet of elevation gain.

Two Ribbons Trail: Another great family trail, as it is boardwalked and just 1.5 miles total. The walk winds through burned lodgepole forests and sagebrush along the Madison River. Here you’ll have the opportunity to see buffalo and buffalo wallows.

Montana Vacations recommends speaking with Yellowstone National Park guides or park rangers before attempting hikes. We know we sound like your nanny, but really, wouldn’t you like to get the most up to date info on grizzly sitings, trail closures and extreme weather? It could mean the difference between a day spent in the car, or a day spent on the trail. Here’s a couple guides we recommend.

Yellowstone-Glacier Adventures Inc. Grizzly Bear and Wolf Watching, Backcountry Fishing and Hiking, Bald Eagle and Trumpeter Swan Photography, Horseback Rides, and many other custom-designed Adventure Safaris are available from YGA. Call (406) 585-9041.
Teton Science Schools have been teaching people about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem since 1967, and has educated, trained and inspired thousands of children and adults, bringing them together through the study of nature and its extension, place-based education. Get expert info on Yellowstone National Park, and get more out of your Montana vacation. Call (307) 733-1313.

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