Independence
- 5.2 mi
- round trip
- 890 ft
- climb
- 9,667 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Independence open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Yellowstone Ranger District. It doesn't name Independence, so check the source for the area it covers (13 listed).
East Fork of the Mill Creek Trail Bridge Stock Closure
Agency closure covering Yellowstone Ranger District · Order 01-11-04-26-03 · USFS · Yellowstone Ranger District
NFSR #1700 South Plateau Road Closure
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Summer Interim Travel Order and Map and Order # 01-11-00-26-02
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · Order 01-11-00-26-02 · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Hyalite Porcupine Buffalo Horn Winter Interim Travel Order and Map Order Number: #01-11-00-26-01
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
Glacier Lake Road #2421 Closure Order Number: # 01-11-82-26- 01
Agency closure covering Custer Gallatin National Forest · Order 01-11-82-26- · USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Yellowstone Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Independence is an easy out-and-back hike in the Yellowstone Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana, about 5 miles long with a total elevation gain of 890 feet. The trail rises from a low point of about 8,500 feet to a high of about 9,670 feet, and it is open year-round. The route is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land. Several other hikes sit within a couple of miles, including East Fork Cutoff, Buffalo Divide and East Fork Boulder. For an overnight stay, Hicks Park campground is about 6 miles away.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Buffalo Fork
~14 min drive
24.95-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,152 ft gain.
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Hidden Lake
~15 min drive
4.02-mile out-and-back trail to Hidden Lake in Montana with 103 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
East Fork Cutoff
~2 min drive
0.94-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 328 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Fourmile
~16 min drive
Fourmile is a 14.85-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3011 feet of elevation gain.
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Telephone Basin
~15 min drive
4.46-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 625 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Upsidedown Creek
~8 min drive
0.30-mile out-and-back trail at Upsidedown Creek in Montana
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)Meatrack
~16 min drive
9.06-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,031 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Buffalo Divide
~3 min drive
6.65-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 1,603 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Fish Creek
~9 min drive
5.65-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 817 ft gain.
HIKE
East Fork Boulder
~3 min drive
16.90-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,699 ft elevation gain.
