13 Hikes at Yellowstone National Park with Kids

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure with your family? Yellowstone National Park is a treasure trove of kid-friendly things to do that are both fun and educational experiences. Let's explore some of the best must-see stops for families:

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring

This stop leads you to the largest hot spring in the United States. The vibrant colors of the spring are a sight to behold! At this stop you can park and take the boardwalk to see the hot springs at the same level OR go one mile south of the Midway Geyser Basic at the Fairy Falls Parking lot and hike .6 miles to get a view looking for at the Grand Prismatic.

Beaver Ponds

A 5 mile-loop hike that takes you past several beaver ponds and offers chances to spot wildlife. The path is bare-ground and somewhat rocky but gives you a great opportunity to see the wildlife of Yellowstone.

West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail

This easy trail is a 1.0 mile loop near West Yellowstone. The basin trail is has boardwalk and is flat.

Bunsen Peak Trail

This hike is located 5 miles south of Mammoth on the Grand Loop Road. The 4.6 mile out and back trail begins and ends at the same trailhead. The climb on this trail will give you panoramic views of the Gallatin Mountain Range.

Lost Lake Trail

This trail starts behind the Roosevelt Lodge and is a 2.8 mile loop. Expect to see wildlife along this trail and gives you more of a backcountry experience of Yellowstone National Park.

Fairy Falls

Known as the crown jewel of Yellowstone hikes, this trail leads to a stunning waterfall that plunges 200 feet into a beautiful pool. From the trailhead walk 1.6 miles through the pine forest to the falls. If you and the family are wanting a bit longer hie, continue .6 miles to Imperial and Spray Geysers.

Lone Star Geyser

A less crowded alternative to Old Faithful, this hike ends at a predictable geyser that erupts every few hours. The hike for this is a 5 mile there and back trail, located 3.5 miles south of Old Faithful Overpass. The path is partially paved and gives you a close up view of the eruption.

Mystic Falls

An easy, 2.4 mile hike that rewards you with a view of a beautiful 70-foot waterfall. Walk .3 miles to the far side of the Biscuit Basin boardwalk to the trailhead to start this hike. Turn around at the falls or climb the switchbacks to an overlook of the Upper Geyser Basin then look back to the main trail.

Upper Geyser Basin and Midway Geyser

This area has the highest concentration of geysers in the world, including the famous Old Faithful. This is a 3.5 mile loop trail near West Yellowstone. There is no shade on this trail with mostly flat boardwalk or pavement with occasional gravel.

South Rim Trail

This trail offers breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lower Falls. The trail starts at the south side of the Chittenden Bridge where it follows the river downstream and to the brink of the Upper Falls.  

On this trail you can go different directions such as at the junction for Uncle Tom’s Trail heads off to the left. This trail turns to a steep staircase descending 350 ft to a breathtaking, up close view of Lower Falls adding 0.4 miles extra to your trip. Along with more overlooks and some walking through the trees takes you to the parking lot of the famous Artist Point. 

Wraith Falls Trail

A short and easy hike to a lovely waterfall, perfect for young kids with the 1.0 mile out and back distance.

Trout Lake

A peaceful. 1.2 mile loop trail leads to a serene mountain lake known for its trout.

Artist Paint Pots

The Artist Paint Pots Trail in Yellowstone is a short, kid-friendly loop that offers a front-row seat to the park’s fascinating geothermal activity. Your family will be captivated by the bubbling mud pots, hissing steam vents, and colorful hot springs scattered along the boardwalk and trail. It’s an easy 1-mile round trip that feels like walking through a natural science experiment — making it both fun and educational for all ages. This is the perfect stop to spark your kids’ curiosity while soaking in Yellowstone’s unique beauty.