National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Tower Area Day Hikes Yellowstone National Park Welcome to the Tower Area The Tower area was a crossroads for Native Americans, trappers, and explorers—and a campsite for presidents. We invite you to spend a few hours hiking in this historic and scenic section of Yellowstone. Always carry rain gear, extra food and water, and other emergency equipment when venturing into the backcountry. Be sure to obtain current trail condition and bear activity information at the Tower Ranger Station or visitor centers. llro He arin eek North g Cr Hiking trail described Ye l Trail not described lo w s Roads to ne Ranger Station R iv Hellroaring e Picnic Area r Garnet Sevice Station Slough Creek To Mammoth Hill Trail Hot Springs k e Lamar Cre Rive ugh r lo S Cautions Petrified Yellowstone Tree River Picnic Area Hydrothermal areas: The thin ground in these areas breaks easily, and often Lost Lake To overlies scalding water. Stay on the trail. Northeast Specimen Entrance All Wildlife: You must stay at least Roosevelt Ridge Trailhead 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and Lodge wolves; and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals—including birds. Bears: Although your chance of Tower Fall an encounter is low, your safety is not guaranteed. Minimize your risks by making loud noises, To Mount shouting, or singing. Hike in Washburn groups and use caution where & Canyon vision is obstructed. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. Do not hike Fishing: Anglers must have a Yellowstone National Park fishing permit in their pos- after dark. Avoid carcasses; bears often session. Consult the park newspaper for purchase locations. defend this food source. Backcountry Camping: Permits are required for backcountry camping. Lost Lake Loop To Mammoth To Northeast Distance, loop: 2.8 miles Hot Springs Entrance (4.6 km) Petrified Tree 1.1 mi 1.8 km Estimated time: 1-2 hours Difficulty: moderate 0.2 mi 0.3 km Trailhead: behind Roosevelt Roosevelt To 0.4 mi Lodge Canyon Lodge 1.1 mi 0.7 km I 1.8 km If you encounter horses, Offering views of Lost Lake, Lost Lake move to the downhill side of waterfowl, sagebrush hill- the trail and remain still until tops, wildflowers, possibly they have passed. beavers and quite often black bears, this trail has a bit of This trail begins behind Roosevelt Lodge and climbs 300 feet (91 m) onto the bench. Here it joins everything. the Roosevelt horse trail and continues west to Lost Lake. From Lost Lake the trail follows the Trail frequented by stock contour around the hillside to the Petrified Tree parking area, crosses the parking lot and contin- animals. ues up the hill. It loops behind Tower Ranger Station, crosses the creek and returns to the lodge. Garnet Hill Loop The trail follows the dirt stagecoach road about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the Y Distance, round trip: 7.6 miles (12.5 Garnet e cookout shelter. Continues north along llo km) E Hill w Elk Creek until nearly reaching the lk s t Estimated time: 4-5 hours C o Yellowstone River. Here the trail divides. r e 7.6 mi n Difficulty: Moderate The west fork joins the Hellroaring Trail. e 12.5 km e k Follow the east fork around Garnet Hill R Trailhead: Approximately 50 yards (45.7 Cookout i and back toward Tower. Take a right v m) north from Tower Junction, on the Shelter e onto the east fork. Good views of the r Northeast Entrance Road. (Park in the Yellowstone River, and a variety of ter- large parking area east of the service sta- rains. This area is home to many bears tion at Tower Junction.) To and bison, use caution when traveling. Lamar Walk along the road about one-fourth Valley I If you encounter horses, move to mile (400 m) back to the parking area. Stagecoach Road To Canyon the downhill side of the trail and remain still until they have passed. Hellroaring Trail begins with a steep descent to the ellroar ek Yellowstone River Suspension Bridge, H in e Distance, round trip: 6.2 miles (10 km) g Cr then crosses a sagebrush plateau, and 3.1 mi Y 5.0 km Estimated time: 3–4 hours drops down to Hellroaring Creek. Both e l Difficulty: Strenuous the Yellowstone River and Hellroaring l o w suspension Creek are popular fishing areas. s Trailhead: 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of to bridge Caution: Beyond the bridge are trail n Tower Junction. e Rive junctions for other major backcoun- r Alternative Route: Begin at Garnet Garnet try trails. Pay attention; stay on the Hill Loop Hill (above) and continue west on E Hellroaring Trail. lk Hellroaring Trail; return to the Garnet C Hellroaring is a major backcountry To Mammoth r Hill trailhead. ee trail. This day hike stops at the con- Hot Springs k Distance: 12.2 miles (19.2 km) fluence of Hellroaring creek and the Yellowstone River. To Tower/ Roosevelt Trail climbs steeply to the east rim of Yellowstone River Y the Narrows of the Yellowstone and e 0.7 mi Picnic Area ll 1.2 km To Northeast then follows the rim. Look for peregrine ows To Entrance Distance, round trip: 3.7 miles (6.1 km) falcons and osprey, which nest in the to canyon, and bighorn sheep along the Mammoth n Estimated time: 2–3 hours e 1.1 mi Hot Springs rim. View the Overhanging Cliff area, R 1.8 km i 1.9 mi Difficulty: Moderate v 3.1 km the towers of Tower Fall (the fall is not e Trailhead: Yellowstone River Picnic visible), basalt columns, and the historic r area, 1.25 miles (2 km) northeast of Bannock Ford. The trail heads north- Tower Junction on the Northeast east; at the trail junction turn left and Entrance Road. descend to the road. (The Specimen Tower Ridge Trail, strenuous and poorly Fall marked, continues northeast.) Walk west along the road for 0.7 mile (1.2 km) to the Yellowstone River Picnic Area. To Canyon Slough Creek This long-distance trail follows a historic wagon trail into the Absaroka-Beartooth Distances, round trip: ek Wilderness beyond Yellowstone. It e First meadow: 3.4 miles (5.4 km) r begins with a steep climb then descends C Second meadow: 8.6 miles (13.6 km) h to the first meadow. Stop and relax here Sloug Estimated time: 2–5 hours round trip. or continue to the second meadow. Be alert for bears and moose. Slough Creek Second Difficulty: Moderately strenuous for −! first 1.5 miles (2.4 km); then easy. is a popular fishing area. 2.6 mi Meadow 1.7 mi 2.7 km Trailhead: On the dirt road toward 2.7 km First Slough Creek Campground; where the I If you encounter horses, move to Meadow road bears left, park beside the vault toilet. the downhill side of the trail and remain still until they have passed. To Northeast Entrance Mt. Washburn Either trail ascends Mt. Washburn on a To Tower/ wide path with spectacular views. Look Roosevelt Open to hiking Distance, one way: from Chittenden for bighorn sheep and wildflowers. Stay and biking Road, 2.5 miles (4.0 km); from Dunraven on the trail to avoid destroying fragile Pass, 3.0 miles (4.8 km) alpine vegetation. At the top, enjoy the Estimated time: 3–6 hours view and interpretive exhibits inside the 2.5 mi Difficulty: strenuous; 1,400 feet (425 m) shelter at the base of the fire lookout. 4.0 km vertical rise Caution: high elevation trail. Be aware of Chittenden Road Trailheads: Chittenden Road parking lightning above treeline. area, 8.7 miles (13.9 km) south of Tower Not recommended for persons with fire Junction; Dunraven Pass parking area, heart and/or respiratory problems. tower 13.6 miles (21.8 km) south of Tower 3.0 mi Bicycles and park vehicles also use the 4.8 km Junction on the Grand Loop Road. Chittenden route. To Dunraven Grizzly Bears frequent the Mt. Canyon Pass Washburn area in the fall. For more information Visitor centers have a free day hike handout for each major area of the park. A “Day Hike Sampler,” with a hike or two per area, is also available along with several guides www.nps.gov/yell for trails throughout the park. Yell 237 • 02/15.