Montana · Hiking · Near Emigrant

Yellowstone River

Yellowstone RiverPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
5.5 mi
round trip
787 ft
climb
6,194 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Caution today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 1 h ago

Is Yellowstone River open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Custer Gallatin National Forest. It doesn't name Yellowstone River, so check the source for the area it covers (14 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Custer Gallatin National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Yellowstone River hike is a 5.5-mile out-and-back trail in the Gardiner Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana, managed by the Forest Service. The route rises from about 5,293 feet to about 6,194 feet, with a total elevation gain of 787 feet, and is rated easy. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The nearest town is Gardiner, and the trail sits within the Gardiner Ranger District. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation show July highs around 81°F and lows near 48°F, with no snow days from June through August. Winter is cold and snowy, with January highs around 31°F and lows near 12°F. The Yellowstone River Trail lies about 0.4 miles away, and Eagle Creek campground is about 0.7 miles off. Crevice Creek and Main Bear Creek Trail are both within about 3 miles.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Eagle Creek

    Campground

    Campground · 0.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Spot by Tacocat

    Fast food

    On your way back · 2 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Emigrant

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Yellowstone River

    Best months: July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / 12°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      34° / 12°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 19°

      11 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 26°

      11 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      60° / 35°

      13 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      69° / 42°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      81° / 48°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 47°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 39°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    10. Oct

      54° / 29°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      39° / 19°

      10 wet · 7 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 12°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yellowstone Park Mammoth, WY, 4.4 mi away at 6,195 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Yellowstone River TrailPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Yellowstone River Trail

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Boiling River

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Crevice Creek

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Beaver Ponds Trailhead (1N4)

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8.48-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 3,187 ft elevation gain.