Backcountry Conditions

This page offers current backcountry conditions and is updated frequently. It is always good practice to check this page regularly leading up to your trip’s start date.

The map offers a quick snapshot of current trail status. Below the map are more detailed information regading the condition of the trail, further descriptions of trail closures,warnings, and known hazards. Please make sure to review both the backcountry conditions map, and the Area Conditions Detail Section of this page

Conditions reports offer specific details about a given trail on a given date. However, Yellowstone's backcountry is vast and some trail status reports may not be updated for several weeks, or even months for lesser used trails. For this reason, Backcountry Conditions reports only offer a snapshot of trail conditions and should be used in conjunction with other tools such as weather reports, prior backpacking experience in Yellowstone, and assessment of your own backpacking skill level.

 
 
 
Legend for Backcountry Conditions Map, depicting green lines, and polygons for open trails, orange lines and polygons for restrcited status, and red lines and polygons for closed status.
 
Trail status for horse use will not be depicted on this map until trails first open for stock use on July 1.
 

  General Information

All of the park's trails are still snow covered. Please make sure to check out the snowpack map to see how much snow to expect to encounter on the ground. Reference the map located on the right side of the linked page for reference (this map depicts snow depth).

Most streams are likely still crossable, however as temperatures warm streams will soon begin to rise and  become too high and dangerous to cross. Streams which are crossable in the morning may rise to unsafe levels by afternoon. Don’t get caught on the wrong side of a stream. If you must cross – scout out the safest location, the best crossing may not be in the exact location where the trail meets the stream. Above all use caution and be safe around all streams. Yellowstone’s backcountry does not have many bridges, please evaluate planned travel routes for any potentially hazardous stream crossings. 

The fishing season is currently closed until Saturday May 25th.  Learn more about Fishing in the Park.
 

The boating season is currently closed until Saturday May 25th.  Learn more about Boating in Yellowstone.

All trails are currently CLOSED for horse use. Overnight horse use is closed until July 1 . Trails for day riding may begin earlier, as conditions allowed. If trails are open to stock prior to July 1 this information will be included below in the Area conditions Detail section. Get prepared for the season by reviewing Yellowstone's horse riding pages.

There are no current fire restrictions, however please note not all campsites allow for fires.  Check your backcountry permit to see if your permited campsite allows for fires, or view our backcountry trails and campsite map. In addition, please note that fires are only allowed in designated firepits. If the firepit is under snow visitors will need to dig out the firepit and downed wood.

With exception of qualified service animals, pets are not allowed in the backcountry.
 

Backcountry Office Hours

  • Currently there are no locations open for in-person permits.
  • Reservations can be made on Recreation.gov. 
  • For last minute trips (within 3 days of your start trip) contact the Central Backcountry Office at 307-344-2160. Please note the Central Backcountry Office is minimall staffed. Permits are only available to be issued Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:00pm. Permitting staff is not available on weekends or holidays. Please plan to contact us accordingly.
  • If you have a trip reserved please watch the Beyond Roads video and then give our office a call at 307-344-2160 within 5 days of your start date. At the time of your call we will go over the permit and issue you your permit to be printed from home or downloaded to your phone.  Please note the Central Backcountry Office is minimall staffed. Permits are only available to be issued Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:00pm. Permitting staff is not available on weekends or holidays. Please plan to contact us accordingly.
 

Area Condition Details

Trails are listed by Region then Geographically from North to South, then West to East


Northwest

  • No off trail Travel within the Gallatin Bear Management Area. 
  • A Minimum group size of four people is recommended for hiking and camping withing the Gallatin Bear Management Area.
  • Wet, muddy and snowy conditions prevail throughout the area(4/24/24)

  • Expect wet and muddy conditions  at lower elevations and deep snow at higher elevations.(4/24/24)
  • Sky Rim trail has some areas that are exposed along a ridge and are not advised to attempt while there is lingering snow pack.(4/24/24)

  • Beaver Ponds Trail is mostly snow free and cleared of down trees. (4/24/24)
  • The barricade at the Mammoth Terraces is currently closed(4/24/24)
  • Sepulcher trail is likely mostly snow covered.(4/24/24)

  • Glenn Creek Trail, Sportsman's Lake Trail, and Electric Peak are all mostly snowy. Not recommended.(4/26/24)

  • Bunsen Peak still has significant snow.(4/24/24)
  • Osprey Falls trail is CLOSED due to trail damage from the 2022 Flooding event. 

  • Expect muddy trail conditions in the lower elevations, and snow as you increase in elevation(4/24/24)

  • Access road to the Tralhead parking area and the Indian Creek Campground is closed until June 14th. until then hikers withing to access the Bighorn Pass Trail must park in the pullouts near the access road barricade. Do not block the access road. 
  • Bighorn Pass Trail has deep snow and cannot be crossed.(4/24/24)

  • Likely wet/ snowy (4/24/24)

  • the West side of Gneiss Creek is CLOSED until June 30th due to the Gneiss Creek Bear Management Area. (4/24/24)

 

Northeast

  • Rescue Creek Trailhead along the washed out North Entrance Road is inaccessible due to the bridge having washed out in the 2022 Floods. See map above. (4/24/24)
  • Rescue Creek Trail accessed from the Blacktail Trailhead is open, likely wet with residual patches of snow in the shade.(4/24/24)
  • Lava Creek Trailhead across from the Mammoth Campground is CLOSED as well as the Boiling River Trail due to a carcass. See map above(4/24/24)
  • Lava Creek Picnic Area Trailhead and Lava Creek Trail accessed from the Blacktail Trailhead is likely wet, with patches of snow.  The trail can be hiked down to the Gardner river, but you will need to return the same way. (4/24/24)

  • likely muddy.(4/24/24)

  • The barricade at the Hellroaring trailhead is currently open.(4/24/24)
  • Hellroaring Creek Trailk  has patchy snow, expect to increasing snow if heading towards the Northern Boundary of the Park.(4/24/24)
  • Hellroaring may still be crossible on foot, but as warm temperatures increase will likely become uncrossable. At that point visitors will need to head North along Hellroaring Creek to the foot bridge located south of campsite 2H8.
  • Upper Coyote Creek and Buffalo Plateau likely to be snow free in the lower elevations, with increasing snow in higher elevations. Campsites along those trails likely to be under snow.
  • The Bull Mountain Loop is not longer accessible during the early season, due to the fact that a bridge washed out in the 2022 flood above the park in the Forest Service near the Horse Creek Trail. Hikers will not be able to cross that creek during spring run off.

  • Sections of the Lost Lake Trail are currently CLOSED. See Conditions Map above.(4/24/24)
  • The barricade at Petrified Tree is currently open.(4/24/24)

  • Due to road construction, the Garnett Hill trail should be accessed from Tower Junction, and then continue on to the wagon road.
  • The Garnett Hill Loop is Partially closed due to damage from the 2022 Flooding event. See Backcountry Conditions Map above.(4/24/24)

  • Inaccessible due to road closure. Road is scheduled to open May 10th.

  • Buffalo Fork trail is inaccessible due to the fact that Slough Creek is not crossable.(4/24/24)

  • The barricade at Slough Creek is Closed. Hikers will need to walk the mile and three quarter long road to the trailhead. (4/24/24)
  • Slough Creek is likely mostly snow covered. (4/24/24)

  • Mostly snow covered.(4/24/24)
  • Pebble Creek is currently crossable.However, as temperatures rise will shortly become unfordable. At that time camspite 3P1 will be the only accessible campsite.(4/24/24)
  • Bliss Pass is inaccessible due to snow (4/24/24)

  • Snowy(4/24/24)

  • Yellowstone River Picnic Area trail is CLOSED for the 2024 season due to a road construction project.
  • Specimen Ridge trail has patchy snow .(4/24/24)
  • As spring run-off increases,  the Lamar River located on the east side of the trail will not be crossable.  At that point access to Specimen Ridge will only be through the Specimen Ridge Trailhead. Don't be caught on the wrong side of the river as it is a 14 mile backtrack to the trailhead (4/24/24)

  • Lower Lamar Trail is mostly snow free( 4/24/24)
  • Cache Creek which is about 3 miles from the Lamar River trailhead is currently crossable, as temperatures rise the river will soon become uncrossable. Be cautious of streams wwhich are crossable in the morning may rise to unsafe levels by afternoon. Don't get caught on the wrong side of the stream.(4/24/24)
  • The Pelican Valley Trailhead is closed until July 4th due to thePelican Valley Bear Management area. No through travel from Lamar River to Pelican Valley.
  • Miller and Frost Lake likely snowy and will become inaccessible when Cache Creek, and the Lamar River become uncrossable.(4/24/24)

  • Cache Creek is likley snow free in the lower elevations, and increasingly snowy with increasing elevation(4/2/424).
  • Cache Creek is crossable currently, but will soon start to rise. Be cautious that streams which are crossable in the morning may rise to unsafe levels by afternoon(4/24/24)
  • Thunderer trailhead likely completely snow covered(4/24/24)
  • Republic Pass likley completely snow covered (4/24/24)

 

Central

All trails in the Central Region to be snow covered.(4/24/24)

  • Access to trailhead is closed until May 24th when the road from Tower to Canyon opens to travel.

  • Inaccessible due to Inspiration Point Access Road closure.  See Canyon Rim Trail section. (4/24/24)

  • The following trails along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are CLOSED to all travel: Inspiration Point Trail and access road, Red Rocks Trail, Brink of the Upper Falls Trail, and Brink of the Lower Falls Trail. This closure includes travel by foot, snowshoe, ski, horseback, and any other human powered conveyance.(4/24/24)

 

Southeast

  • All trails in this region are inaccessible due to seasonal road closure. 
  • Trails which are accessed along the road to the East Entrance will open May 3rd.
  • Trails which are accessed from the South Entrance will open May 10th.

 

Southwest

  • Expect all trails in the area to be snow covered and or muddy (4/24/24)
  • Some trailheads in this region are inaccessible due to seasonal road closures. (4/24/24)
  • The Bechler Region is inaccessible.(4/24/24)

  • Expect 1-3 feet of rotten snow from the southern Grand Prismatic Overlook trail junction with the Freight Road all the way in to Fairy Falls. Not recommended (4/24/24)
  • The Grand Prismatic Ovelook trail is CLOSED (4/24/24)

  • Snowy. Not Recommended (4/24/24)

  • Snowy (4/24/24)

  • Snowy (4/24/24)
  • Lone Star Trailhead inaccesible due to seasonal road closure. Road opens May 10th.(4/24/24)

 

Submit Trail Conditions

Have you hiked the trails lately and want to submit trail conditions? Please email the Central Backcountry Office with the trails and date you hiked the trails and as much details as you can provide.

 

More Information

Last updated: April 25, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

Phone:

307-344-7381

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