Yellowstone River Overlook Trail

The Yellowstone River Overlook Trail is a fun hike for the whole family. This trail does not have a ton of shade, so be sure to layer on the sunscreen, wear a good sunhat, and bring lots of water for everyone in your hiking party. This trail begins at a picnic area where it is common to see wildlife looking for snacks, especially small critters such as birds and squirrels. If you do see animals, do not feed them under any circumstances. As with any hike in Yellowstone, it is important to remain bear-aware. Ensure that everyone in your hiking party is familiar with bear safety protocols and always hike with a canister of bear spray in case of encounters. With incredible views of the Yellowstone River canyon, the Yellowstone River Overlook Trail is the perfect route for a leisurely hike with the whole family. To make a day of it, bring along a camera and a picnic basket so you can spend quality time enjoying the beauty of the Wyoming wilderness and capturing precious memories with loved ones.

To hike this trail, begin at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area trailhead and follow the path southwest. The path follows the edge of the Yellowstone Canyon; watch your footing here and make sure kids stay well away from the canyon’s edge. After approximately 1.9mi, the trail will split; at this divide, turn around and retrace your steps back to the trailhead where you began.

The Yellowstone River Overlook Trail is the most scenic subsection of the Yellowstone River Picnic Area Loop: another trail that begins and ends at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trailhead.