Hiking & Biking

Exploring West Yellowstone: A Guide to Hiking, Biking, and Trails

The national forests and mountain ranges surrounding West Yellowstone are a hiker’s dream, offering an abundance of options on millions of acres of public land. Miles of trails wind past aspen and pine, tranquil meadows, and impressive peaks.

A highly popular cross-country ski trail system in the winter, the Rendezvous Trail System is open to hikers and bikers in the summer (pets not allowed). Another trail used year-round is the pet-friendly Boundary Trail, which is accessed on the northeast end of town and follows along the Yellowstone National Park border.

Within the park, there are over 1,000 miles of hiking trails with something to fit every ability. The Riverside Trail starts right in West Yellowstone and follows a mellow path along the river.

Mountain biking and road cycling are also popular. West Yellowstone is very close to the Continental Divide Trail, and the TransAmerica Trail goes directly through town. In the spring, cyclists enjoy a few weeks of solitude in Yellowstone before it opens to vehicles, and in the fall, we host the Old Faithful Cycle Tour.

The Yellowstone Shortline Trail is a 9-mile section of abandoned railroad beds that has been paved and is now a world-class hiking-biking trail. The Yellowstone Shortline Trail follows the historic route of the Oregon Short Line Railroad from the Montana-Idaho border at Reas Pass to the west boundary of Yellowstone National Park in West Yellowstone, MT.

The trail has a 10-foot-wide path with a paved surface and several bridges covering approximately 9 miles and includes amenities such as pavilions, benches, and interpretive signage focused on the history of the area.

All-Season Trail Map