Wyoming has its fair share of long hikes – and don’t get us wrong, an all-day trek is exactly what you need sometimes – but often, the opposite is true. If you’re craving a short and sweet hike, look no further than Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Trail at Yellowstone. It’s quick, easy, and it’s one of the best hikes in Wyoming, leading to a breathtaking natural wonder.
At under two miles, Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Trail just might be the most incredible short hike in all of Wyoming. With an elevation gain of just 200 feet, the trail is not only quick, but also easy and kid-friendly.
AllTrails/Sandy C User
Almost the entire hike is on a wooden boardwalk, offering a nice change of pace compared to many other trails. You’ll enjoy unparalleled views of the hot spring, where the striking hues are thanks to a plethora of microscopic organisms.
AllTrails/Mary Hare
Easily among our favorite things about this hike is how you can watch as steam slowly rises off the water, since the trail essentially parallels the spring. It’s a tranquil sight indeed, serving as a beautiful reminder that all of nature is alive.
AllTrails/Michelle Tavares
Once the boardwalk ends, you can ascend to a lookout point that truly showcases the spring in all its glory. Lush greenery blankets the iconic peaks of Yellowstone, the entire landscape teeming with unique and vibrant plant life. Though the main attraction isn’t visible in this particular photo, trust us: the views from up here are second to none.
AllTrails/Alflo Antonino
Here’s a better idea of just how amazing the views are from the scenic overlook. You’ll definitely want to bring along a camera!
AllTrails/Jeff Hartman
On the way back, feel free to take a detour onto the Fairy Falls Trail. At 200-feet high, it’s easy to see where the name for this natural wonder comes from – doesn’t it look like a scene straight from a storybook?
AllTrails/Charles Hines
As the seasons change, so does the scenery on the trail. Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit quite like a frozen Firehole River! All that’s missing is your favorite ugly sweater and some festive tunes.
AllTrails/Greg Arms
Visit the AllTrails page for more details about this hike.
AllTrails/Sandy C User
AllTrails/Mary Hare
AllTrails/Michelle Tavares
AllTrails/Alflo Antonino
AllTrails/Jeff Hartman
AllTrails/Charles Hines
AllTrails/Greg Arms
Have you ever hiked the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Trail? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience! Let us know, and check out our previous article for another easy hike: Mouth Of The Canyon Trail Is An Easy Hike In Wyoming That Takes You To Unforgettable Views.
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Address: Yellowstone National Park, United States
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Wyoming April 08, 2022 Meghan Byers What are some kid-friendly hikes around Wyoming? Hiking with kids can be challenging, but you have plenty of options for family-friendly hikes in Wyoming! The Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail in Alcova is a blast for kids who love dinosaurs. You’ll get to see ancient fossils along a moderately challenging loop trail that also has interpretive signage to help bring an educational facet to your trek. Tower Falls is another great option, located in Yellowstone National Park. It’s only a mile long and leads to a beautiful waterfall. Twin Lakes Trail in Medicine Bow National Forest is a little longer at 3.2 miles, but it’s a scenic, mostly flat route that features lakes, towering spruce trees, and wildflowers in the summertime. For more, check out our list of these five easy hikes in Wyoming you can do with kids. What are some of the most scenic hikes in Wyoming? Wyoming is brimming with beauty everywhere you look, and it doesn’t get much more scenic than at its national parks. Lupine Meadows Trail in Grand Teton National Park offers lovely views of the Tetons as you walk through meadows of beautiful wildflowers, which bloom in the spring and summertime. Cascade Canyon Trail, also in Grand Teton National Park, is a popular route for a reason, with stunning views everywhere you look. It’s a moderately challenging route at around 9.1 miles, so be ready for some strenuous hiking. In Yellowstone National Park, the Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail is, of course, a can’t-miss trail. It’s relatively easy at only 0.7 miles, and there are benches in front of Old Faithful so you can sit back and enjoy watching the geyser erupt. This is a boardwalk trail and it’s wheelchair accessible. For a much longer hike, try the nearly 15-mile Heart Lake Trail in Yellowstone, a thickly forested trail with a lake and spectacular views. Explore more of the best trails in Wyoming with our guide.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Wyoming
April 08, 2022
Meghan Byers
What are some kid-friendly hikes around Wyoming? Hiking with kids can be challenging, but you have plenty of options for family-friendly hikes in Wyoming! The Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail in Alcova is a blast for kids who love dinosaurs. You’ll get to see ancient fossils along a moderately challenging loop trail that also has interpretive signage to help bring an educational facet to your trek. Tower Falls is another great option, located in Yellowstone National Park. It’s only a mile long and leads to a beautiful waterfall. Twin Lakes Trail in Medicine Bow National Forest is a little longer at 3.2 miles, but it’s a scenic, mostly flat route that features lakes, towering spruce trees, and wildflowers in the summertime. For more, check out our list of these five easy hikes in Wyoming you can do with kids. What are some of the most scenic hikes in Wyoming? Wyoming is brimming with beauty everywhere you look, and it doesn’t get much more scenic than at its national parks. Lupine Meadows Trail in Grand Teton National Park offers lovely views of the Tetons as you walk through meadows of beautiful wildflowers, which bloom in the spring and summertime. Cascade Canyon Trail, also in Grand Teton National Park, is a popular route for a reason, with stunning views everywhere you look. It’s a moderately challenging route at around 9.1 miles, so be ready for some strenuous hiking. In Yellowstone National Park, the Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail is, of course, a can’t-miss trail. It’s relatively easy at only 0.7 miles, and there are benches in front of Old Faithful so you can sit back and enjoy watching the geyser erupt. This is a boardwalk trail and it’s wheelchair accessible. For a much longer hike, try the nearly 15-mile Heart Lake Trail in Yellowstone, a thickly forested trail with a lake and spectacular views. Explore more of the best trails in Wyoming with our guide.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking with kids can be challenging, but you have plenty of options for family-friendly hikes in Wyoming! The Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail in Alcova is a blast for kids who love dinosaurs. You’ll get to see ancient fossils along a moderately challenging loop trail that also has interpretive signage to help bring an educational facet to your trek. Tower Falls is another great option, located in Yellowstone National Park. It’s only a mile long and leads to a beautiful waterfall. Twin Lakes Trail in Medicine Bow National Forest is a little longer at 3.2 miles, but it’s a scenic, mostly flat route that features lakes, towering spruce trees, and wildflowers in the summertime. For more, check out our list of these five easy hikes in Wyoming you can do with kids.
What are some of the most scenic hikes in Wyoming?
Wyoming is brimming with beauty everywhere you look, and it doesn’t get much more scenic than at its national parks. Lupine Meadows Trail in Grand Teton National Park offers lovely views of the Tetons as you walk through meadows of beautiful wildflowers, which bloom in the spring and summertime. Cascade Canyon Trail, also in Grand Teton National Park, is a popular route for a reason, with stunning views everywhere you look. It’s a moderately challenging route at around 9.1 miles, so be ready for some strenuous hiking.
In Yellowstone National Park, the Old Faithful Geyser Loop Trail is, of course, a can’t-miss trail. It’s relatively easy at only 0.7 miles, and there are benches in front of Old Faithful so you can sit back and enjoy watching the geyser erupt. This is a boardwalk trail and it’s wheelchair accessible. For a much longer hike, try the nearly 15-mile Heart Lake Trail in Yellowstone, a thickly forested trail with a lake and spectacular views. Explore more of the best trails in Wyoming with our guide.
