Wyoming · Hiking

Beaver Ponds Trail

Beaver Ponds TrailPhoto: petemckelvey, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5.3 mi
distance
788 ft
climb
6,769 ft
high point
Lollipop
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Clear at last check

Weather is good · OpenWeather · checked 20 h ago

Is Beaver Ponds Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yellowstone National Park. It doesn't name Beaver Ponds Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: NPS · Yellowstone National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Beaver Ponds Trail is a 5.3-mile loop hike in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, managed by the National Park Service. The trail rises about 800 feet from a low point of 6,247 feet to a high of 6,769 feet, and it is rated moderate. The most comfortable time to go is summer. Typical averages from the nearby Mammoth weather station show July highs around 81°F with lows near 48°F, while winter months bring highs in the 30s and regular snow days. A fee applies, according to the National Park Service. Several other spots lie within a few miles. Boiling River is about 1.3 miles away, and the Beaver Ponds Trailhead (1N4) is about 1.6 miles away. The Gardiner District, a lake fishing area in Montana, is about 2.6 miles off, and Eagle Creek campground is about 3.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Beaver Ponds Trail

    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, 1.8 mi away at 6,195 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

HIKE

Boiling River

~2 min drive

No swimming at Boiling River. Currently, swimming is not possible at Boiling River because of the impacts to the river from the 2022 floods. More Soaking & Swimming Swimming is not recommended in Yellowstone, and is occasionally prohibited, because most lakes and streams are…

HIKE

Beaver Ponds Trailhead (1N4)

~3 min drive

This trailhead is located behind the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, next to the start of the Old Gardiner Road. From this trailhead, you can access the following trails: Beaver Ponds Trail Selpulcher Mountain Trail There is no parking at the trailhead. However, there is parking…

Sportsman Lake TrailPhoto: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sportsman Lake Trail

~5 min drive

Challenging 17.57-mile out-and-back hike to a scenic alpine lake in Wyoming.

HIKE

Bunsen Peak Overlook

~5 min drive

Bunsen Peak prominently sits south of Mammoth Hot Springs. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trails: Bunsen Peak Trail Bunsen Peak Road Trail Osprey Falls Trail Parking is limited. Winter trailhead access requires a snow coach drop-off, or skiing up from…

Lava Creek TrailPhoto: R. Sieben, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lava Creek Trail

~10 min drive

Accessible out-and-back hike through Wyoming's volcanic landscape and thermal features.

HIKE

Rescue Creek Trailhead (1N2)

~3 min drive

Bunsen Peak prominently sits south of Mammoth Hot Springs. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trails: Bunsen Peak Trail Bunsen Peak Road Trail Osprey Falls Trail Parking is limited. Winter trailhead access requires a snow coach drop-off, or skiing up from…

HIKE

Lava Creek Trailhead (1N3)

~3 min drive

Situated across from the Mammoth Campground, the Lava Creek Trailhead provides easy access to: Lava Creek Trail There is a decent-sized parking lot at the trailhead. Lava Creek Trail A 4.2-mile (6.7-km) moderate one-way hike that begins and ends at different trailheads. Ei…

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

Yellowstone River Trail

~6 min drive

15.56-mile out-and-back trail along the Yellowstone River in Montana.

HIKE

Bunsen Peak Trailhead (1K4)

~8 min drive

Bunsen Peak prominently sits south of Mammoth Hot Springs. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trails: Bunsen Peak Trail Bunsen Peak Road Trail Osprey Falls Trail Parking is limited. Winter trailhead access requires a snow coach drop-off, or skiing up from…

Beattie GulchPhoto: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Beattie Gulch

~10 min drive

11.16-mile out-and-back trail in Montana with 2,908 ft elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors