Wyoming · Hiking

Madison Junction

Madison JunctionPhoto: NPS / public domain
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Madison Junction open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Madison Junction is a National Park Service site within Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, managed by the National Park Service. The most comfortable months for a visit are July and August, when typical highs reach about 80°F and lows sit in the upper 30s, based on averages from a nearby weather station. Winters are harsh, with typical January highs around 27°F and lows near 0°F. The site has restrooms, and a fee is charged for a visit. The closest trail is Purple Mountain Trail, about 0.3 miles away, and Harlequin Lake Trail is about 1.3 miles off. Farther out are Firehole Canyon Swimming Area at about 1.7 miles and Mount Haynes Fishing Platform at about 3.1 miles.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Madison Junction

    Best months: June–August. 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

      27° / 0°

    2. Feb

      31° / 1°

    3. Mar

      40° / 9°

    4. Apr

      48° / 21°

    5. May

      59° / 29°

    6. Jun

      68° / 34°

    7. Jul

      80° / 39°

    8. Aug

      78° / 36°

    9. Sep

      68° / 30°

    10. Oct

      51° / 21°

    11. Nov

      36° / 11°

    12. Dec

      26° / 3°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at W Yellowstone Gateway, MT, 11.4 mi away at 6,679 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

HIKE

Firehole Canyon Swimming Area

~3 min drive

CLOSED FOR THE 2025 SEASON. The river is usually closed to swimming until mid-summer due to high water and strong currents. During years with significant snowpack and runoff, the swim area may remain closed for the entire season. Check our current conditions page for status.…

Imperial Meadows TrailPhoto: R. Sieben, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Imperial Meadows Trail

~10 min drive

Easy 1.6-mile out-and-back meadow hike in Wyoming.

Fairy Falls TrailPhoto: Николай Максимович, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Fairy Falls Trail

~15 min drive

15.42-mile out-and-back hike in Wyoming with 407 ft elevation gain.

Mystic Falls TrailPhoto: Domenico Salvagnin from Legnaro, Italy, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Mystic Falls Trail

~19 min drive

Short out-and-back hike to a scenic waterfall in Wyoming.

Fairy Creek TrailPhoto: Domenico Salvagnin from Legnaro, Italy, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Fairy Creek Trail

~19 min drive

Moderate out-and-back creek hike through Wyoming forest and meadow.

HIKE

Mount Haynes Fishing Platform

~5 min drive

At the Mount Haynes Overlook, approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of Madison Junction. A level boardwalk leads to the Madison River.

Fairy Falls TrailPhoto: NASA's Earth Observatory, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Fairy Falls Trail

~11 min drive

2.04-mile out-and-back trail in Wyoming with 48 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Mary Mountain-Nez Perce Trail

~19 min drive

20-mile out-and-back trail through Mary Mountain-Nez Perce country with historical significance.

HIKE

Purple Mountain Trail

Next door

6.7 mi · Moderate

HIKE

Red Spouter

~12 min drive

Red Spouter formed as a direct result of the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake. A vent opened up in this spot, which then turned into a mudpot. This hydrothermal feature does change seasonally, depending on the height of the water table beneath the surface. When the water table is…