Hike Yellowstone National Park

Be Bear Aware in Yellowstone National Park's Bear Country

Hike Yellowstone National Park and Stay Bear Aware

Yellowstone National Park is one of America's premier wilderness areas. The park encompasses more than 2.2 million acres, has more than 900 miles of hiking trails, and is primarily managed as wilderness. Day hiking does not require a permit.

When planning a hike, remember that many of Yellowstone’s trails are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Most areas retain snow until late May or early June, and some (especially mountain passes) are snow-covered until late July. Also, many routes require fording rivers that can be 25 feet wide, 3 to 6 feet deep, extremely cold, and swiftly running during our late spring runoff. It’s hard to tell from a map whether a stream will be a raging torrent or merely a swollen creek.

Travel Safely in Bear Country:

All of Yellowstone is bear habitat—from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful. Prepare for bear encounters no matter where you go.

Your safety cannot be guaranteed, but you can play an active role in protecting yourself and the bears people come here to enjoy.

• Keep at least 100 yards (93 m) from bears at all times and never approach a bear to take a photo.
• Never feed bears. Bears that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and have to be killed.
• If a bear approaches or touches your car, honk your horn and drive away to discourage this behavior.
• Review the best practices before you hike or camp in bear country, and learn what to do if you encounter a bear.
• Learn about bear spray, a highly effective, non-lethal bear deterrent.