Wyoming · Hiking

Bunsen Peak Trail

Bunsen Peak TrailPhoto: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
8.4 mi
round trip
502 ft
climb
8,571 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Bunsen Peak Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yellowstone National Park. It doesn't name Bunsen Peak 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.

Bunsen Peak Trail is an 8.4-mile out-and-back hike in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, managed by the National Park Service. The trail rises from a low point of 7,126 feet to a high of 8,571 feet, a climb of about 500 feet, and is rated moderate. The trailhead sits just 0.1 mile from the Bunsen Peak Trailhead (1K4) and 0.2 mile from the Golden Gate. The Gallatin Range lies about 0.8 mile away, and the Gardner River is about 1.5 miles off. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Lake Yellowstone weather station, about 30 miles away, show July and August highs around 71°F with lows in the low 40s. Winter is harsh, with January highs near 23°F and lows around 3°F. A fee is charged, and bikes are allowed. Plan for a full day on the trail.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Bunsen Peak 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

      23° / 3°

      17 wet

    2. Feb

      27° / 3°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      35° / 11°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      42° / 19°

      12 wet

    5. May

      50° / 29°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      61° / 36°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      71° / 43°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      71° / 42°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      61° / 34°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      46° / 25°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      33° / 15°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      24° / 7°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Yellowstone, WY, 30.2 mi away at 7,892 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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Bunsen Peak Trailhead (1K4)

Next door

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…

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Golden Gate

Next door

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Clagett Butte TrailPhoto: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Clagett Butte Trail

~3 min drive

Short out-and-back climb to Clagett Butte with expansive views.

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

Sportsman Lake Trail

~4 min drive

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

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

Lava Creek Trail

~8 min drive

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

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Bunsen Peak Overlook

~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…

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The Gallatin Range

~1 min drive

This view from this relatively flat meadow known as Swan Lake Flat gives a commanding view of Swan Lake and the Gallatin Range to the west. The peaks visible from this location while looking to the west are (from south to north): Trilobite Point (10,010 feet / 3,051 m) Mount…

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Snow Pass Trailhead (1K2)

~3 min drive

This trailhead is nestled into the forests south of the Upper Terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. This trailhead provides access to: Snow Pass Trail Parking is available at a nearby pullout. Snow Pass Trail A moderate 2.4-mile (3.8 km) there-and back trail that climbs to the…

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Bighorn Pass Trail

~7 min drive

Challenging 19.35-mile out-and-back to an alpine pass in the Bighorn Mountains.

Blacktail Deer Creek TrailPhoto: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Blacktail Deer Creek Trail

~12 min drive

Easy out-and-back creek hike through Wyoming's scenic drainage.

Route details

Distance
8.4 mi round trip
Climbing
About 502 ft
Starts at
Bunsen Peak Trailhead (about 7,261 ft)
Summit
8,565 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
About 3 hours

Other routes up Bunsen Peak

Questions about this route

How long is the Bunsen Peak Trail on Bunsen Peak?

About 8.4 mi round trip from Bunsen Peak Trailhead (about 7,261 ft).

How much elevation gain is on the Bunsen Peak Trail?

About 502 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Bunsen Peak Trail?

It is rated moderate.

Where does the Bunsen Peak Trail start?

Bunsen Peak Trailhead (about 7,261 ft).

How long does the Bunsen Peak Trail take?

About 3 hours round trip.

How many routes go up Bunsen Peak?

3: Bunsen Peak Overlook, Bunsen Peak Trailhead (1K4) and Bunsen Peak Trail.

Conditions and forecast on Bunsen Peak

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors