Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SUMMER
Every animal that burrows and snoozes the long winter away snaps to life at the prospect of
a Yellowstone summer, and we should be no exception. It's time to lace up your boots and
rekindle your friendship with the wild. It's well worth setting aside a few nights in the
backcountry; camping equipment is readily available throughout the region (
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.
When your hiking boots get battered, saddle up, stargaze or try the region's water sports.
Hiking & Backpacking
Hiking means escaping the crowds to enjoy abundant alpine vistas, cascading waterfalls,
wildlife and thermal features. You could say the backcountry is yours for the taking. Yel-
lowstone National Park boasts over 900 miles of maintained trails, and you can peruse
Grand Teton National Park's sublime alpine scenery via its 200 miles of hiking trails, yet
less than 1% of visitors sleep out in the backcountry. Popular campsites fill up fast,
however, so plan in advance or keep your itinerary flexible.
See the hiking charts on
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a
nd
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f
or a list of hikes and details of their
distance, difficulty rating and features. You can find additional hiking options in the
Around Yellowstone and Around Grand Teton chapters.
Closures & Seasonal Conditions
In Yellowstone, fire outbreaks or bear activity can close trails without warning at any time.
At the higher elevations, trails may be snow-covered until late July. August and September
are the driest months, and May and June are the wettest. Ticks proliferate on low-elevation
trails between mid-March and mid-July, so wear insect repellent and long pants. Mosqui-
toes are most intense in June and July, petering out by mid-August. September is an excel-
lent month for hiking.
In Grand Teton National Park, higher elevations often remain snow-covered until late
July, and high passes such as Paintbrush Divide and Hurricane Pass remain under snow as
late as mid-August. Become familiar with using an ice tool; it may be necessary in early
summer.
Permits
Backcountry permits are required for overnight trips in Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
These can be acquired at visitor centers and ranger stations. In Yellowstone, backcountry
