Wyoming · Hiking

Golden Gate

Golden GatePhoto: USGS Communications and Publishing — Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Golden Gate open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yellowstone National Park. It doesn't name Golden Gate, 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.

The development of a road system was essential in making Yellowstone more accessible to the public. Engineer Hiram Chittenden replaced many wooden bridges with steel or concrete throughout the park. His most difficult project was the replacement of the rickety trestle at Golden Gate with a 200-foot viaduct and a series of 11 concrete arches built into the cliff wall over a canyon. Over the years the Golden Gate viaduct had to be reconstructed, and the bridge over the Yellowstone River was condemned in 1959. A campaign to preserve the original bridge by building the new Chittenden Memorial Bridge in a different place was thwarted by the discovery that Chittenden had used the only logical location. Expect Travel Hazards and Delays Stay behind rock walls. Drive cautiously and defensively. Allow time for road congestion. Do not stop on or block a road. Use pullouts; stay in your car to watch animals. Think Safety, Act Safely Yellowstone is a Dangerous Place

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Golden Gate

    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, 3.2 mi away at 6,195 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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

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…

HIKE

The Gallatin Range

~2 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…

HIKE

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…

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.

Bunsen Peak TrailPhoto: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bunsen Peak Trail

Next door

8.42-mile out-and-back trail to Bunsen Peak in Wyoming with 502 ft gain.

HIKE

White Elephant Back Terrace

~4 min drive

A fissure right through this part of the Upper Terrace of Mammoth Hot Springs allows hot water saturated with calcium carbonate to reach the surface. The calcium carbonate precipitates out of the water to form a terrace along the entire length of the fissure.

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.

HIKE

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

~11 min drive

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