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Anders and I are getting ready for our annual mother-son backpacking trip, and I was reflecting back on last year’s trip in Yellowstone.
We hiked along the Yellowstone River Trail from Hellroaring Trailhead to the Eagle Creek Campground near Jardine. We walked through wildflowers, biting insects, patches of trees and meadows. We passed waterfalls, lakes, and lots of antlers and skulls left over from a hard winter.
This is a through hike without a good hitchhiking option. We left a vehicle at the terminus of the hike and got dropped off at the starting trailhead by Henry and Finn. They even hiked the first mile to the suspension bridge with us.
The campsites along the Yellowstone River were amazing. We should have spent a week at each one. This is a great trail for anglers, but we were happy strolling through flowers and dipping our feet in the water.
Each day was about 6.0 miles.
There are several beautiful canyons in Yellowstone, including the Black Canyon of the Yellowstone, which we passed through on this backpacking trip.
Yellowstone River Trail Day 1
Yellowstone River Trail Itinerary
There are a lot of options for this trip, but the following is what we did.
- Day 1: Hellroaring Trailhead to 1R1 Cottonwood Creek
- Day 2: Cottonwood Creek to 1Y2 Knowles Falls
- Day 3: Knowles Falls to USFS Eagle Creek Campground
Yellowstone River Trail Day 2
Yellowstone Backcountry Permits
Permits are required year-round for all overnight stays in Yellowstone’s backcountry. A backcountry permit allows the permit holder and group members to camp in a designated location. Permits are not required for day hiking.
- Peak Season (May 15 – October 31) – during the peak season backcountry permits are available online in advance or in person during the Walk-up period. Advance reservations are available at Recreation.gov during the Early Access Lottery and General On-Sale period. Walk-up permits are available in-person at a backcountry office up to 2 days prior to the start of the trip.
Yellowstone Backpacking Resources
My favorite guidebook for hiking or backpacking in Yellowstone National Park is Hiking Yellowstone National Park: A Guide to More Than 100 Great Hikes by Bill Schneider. However, the western two miles of trail has changed since he wrote the book, so talk to a Park Service Ranger about the new route. (Essentially, follow the trail as reported to just past Bear Creek. You will see a sign that points uphill. It is a slog for a couple of miles until you reach Eagle Creek Forest Service Campground.)
We used this National GeographicTrails Illustrated Topographic Map. You are unlikely to get lost on this trail – follow the river! – but you should always bring a map. We appreciated being able to see distances, and surrounding creeks and mountains.
See more of the Best Guidebooks for Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone River Trail Day 3
Such a wonderful photography and amazing scenes. Yellow stone river is such a lovely place to hike and picnic and have fun. Backpacking is a very logical and pondering thing to do. Nice stuff on it.
Thanks! Backpacking in Yellowstone in one of my favorite things to do!
What a great trip.
I am taking my two boys to Yellowstone this June. Finalizing my backpacking permit request in the next day, to have it in before the 31st.
Will only have one car, so shuttle is not an option, so will have to do the Yellowstone River Trail as an out and back (so only able to do half of it).
Thoughts on which half you’d recommend? Eagle Creek to Crevice Lake & back, or Hellroaring to Crevice Lake & back? 3 days / 2 nights.
(Also was considering Hellroaring / Coyote Creek loop around Bull Mountain, or Buffalo Plateau / Coyote Creek Loop)
Thanks in advance
You pretty much can’t go wrong with this trip! I’d consider hiking in from Hellroaring as far as you’d like to hike and camp in the same spot for two nights. Then on the second day, you can take a longer day hike down river or make a loop to explore the area to the north.
Thanks for the response. I was thinking two days at the same spot (1Y4, 1Y5, 1Y7, 1 Y8 or 1Y9) with an explore further down the caynon on day two as you suggested. Hadn’t thought about a loop to the North for the second day.
To do that it seems like it would be better to stay not as far in (1R1 / 1R2 / 1R3). Any further advice?
Primary thing for my 10 & 12 yr olds is to have fun and maybe see some wildlife. For me it is to see the scenery and their joy.
Personally, I love the riverside campsites! My favorite is 1Y2 Knowles Falls. 1R1 Cottonwood Creek was great too, if you don’t want to hike in as far.
What time of year did you hike this? I’m trying to plan a backpacking trip with my son, but the only time he has is mid-May between the time his college classes end until his summer job begins. Any suggestions for a mid-May trip in Yellowstone? Everything I read says it will still be snowy/muddy at that time of year. I’ve only backpacked Yellowstone in mid-summer and early fall. Thanks!
I think this is the best option for a mid-May trip. You never know with weather around here, but it should be dry mid-May. In fact, right now in mid-April it’s pretty dry in that part of the park. Do check the weather because it can rain or snow any day.
Hi, did you encounter any brown bears during your hike? I’ll be out in Yellowstone in July and I am considering running this route. Thanks!
Hi! We did not encounter any bears on this hike, though I know they are out there. That’s going to be the case for anywhere in the Greater Yellowstone area. Make sure you carry bear spray and make some noise (I yell “Hey Bear” when I’m not talking to other people), especially in the areas where you can’t see very far. Have fun!