Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hiking
Yellowstone is a hiker's paradise, and unless you have a pet that needs to stretch its legs,
hiking just outside the park is like spending the day in the Disney World parking lot. Not
that there isn't stunning country in every direction, but there is something particularly allur-
ing about hiking within the boundaries of the park.
That said, some 4.7 miles south of the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, on the left-
hand side after the Golden Gate Bridge, is the
Glen Creek Trailhead
and a small dirt park-
ing lot. There are a range of wonderful hikes that start from this point. Across the street on
the west side of the road, a trail leads through
The Hoodoos,
massive travertine boulders
that look otherworldly in this setting, and down the mountain 3.8 miles back to Mammoth.
If you cannot arrange either a drop-off at the trailhead or a shuttle, the return trip, another
3.8 miles, climbs constantly for nearly 1,000 vertical feet. Another more ambitious hike is
the 9.2-mile round-trip to
Osprey Falls.
The first 4 miles are easy and flat, following an
abandoned roadbed popular with mountain bikers. A blink-and-you'll-miss-it spur trail off
the south side of the road leads hikers down into Sheepeater Canyon and the remaining 0.6
mile to the mesmerizing 150-foot falls. Relax, have a snack, and save your energy for the
800-vertical-foot climb back up to the road.
Bunsen Peak
offers hikers an interesting walk
through an entirely burned forest and all of its colorful rebirth, as well as a stunning view
from the 8,500-foot summit. The climb is steep: 1,300 vertical feet over 2.1 miles. Try to
ignore the hum of the radio tower near the summit, easily accomplished when the summit
view fills your senses.
Gardiner is built to accommodate the overflow from the park, but in reality, many of the
little motels have more charm and much better value, particularly in non-summer months,
than those inside the park. For the most part, it's hard to go wrong in Gardiner. There
are plenty of small cabins and larger vacation rentals in the area.
Above the Rest Lodge
(8 Above the Rest Ln., 406/848-7747 or 800/406-7748,
www.abovetherestlodge.com
,
2-14-person cabins $135-275) is hardly glamorous, but it is comfortable, and the views over
the river and into the park are breathtaking.
Yellowstone Park Riverfront Cabins
(505 S.
Yellowstone, 406/570-4500,
www.cabinsontheyellowstone.com
, $200-250) offers comfort-
able cabins in a quiet location above the river. Another option for small, basic, and reas-
onably priced cottages right in town is
Hillcrest Cottages
(400 Scott St., 406/848-7353
Guest
House
(112
Main
St.
E.,
406/848-9414
or
406/848-7314,
