Elephant Back Mountain Trail
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
| Address: | Elephant Back Mountain, Wyoming 82190, USA |
| GPS: |
44°33'25.6"N 110°24'2.5"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Wyoming |
| Trails/Routes: | 2.8 mi |
Trails National Park
Hike
Elephant Back Mountain Trail is a 3 mile loop trail. The trailhead can be found 1 mile south of Fishing Bridge Junction near Lake Village. This trail climbs 800 feet and gives hikers a stunning view of Yellowstone Lake. This trail is open in the summer and fall months. This is a moderate trail that is good for hikers of many levels.
More Information
Yellowstone National Park Itinerary
This Yellowstone National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yellowstone National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yellowstone-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinElephant Back Mountain Trail (U.S. National Park Service)
This trail climbs 800 feet (244 m) in 1-½ miles (2.4 km) through the dense lodgepole forest. After 0.8 of a mile, the trail splits into a loop. The left fork is the shortest route to the top, though both join again at the overlook. The overlook provides a sweeping panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake and surrounding area.
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/yell-trail-elephant-back-mountain.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
- Head south (138 ft)
- Turn rightMay be closed at certain times or days(0.8 mi)
- Turn right onto Hwy 20 EParts of this road may be closed at certain times or daysDestination will be on the left(0.6 mi)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Pelican Creek Nature Trail
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
1.9 miles EA short 0.6-mile loop past streams, forest, and the vast expanse of Yellowstone Lake — spot pelicans, grebes, and teals on this family-friendly walk.
Hike 2.3 mi
Natural Bridge Trail
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
2.5 miles SWAn easy 2-mile trail through forests and meadows to a bridge carved by a creek wearing through rhyolite — best views come from hiking around to the back of the arch.
Hike, Mountain Bike 7.4 mi
Pelican Valley Trail
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
3.7 miles EA flat, easy 6.2-mile hike through forest, over bridges, and into Pelican Valley's marshy winding creek — some of the best grizzly bear country in Yellowstone, open July 4 through fall, daylight hours only.
Hike 2.1 mi
Storm Point Trail
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
3.7 miles EAn easy 2.3-mile family hike along the shores of Yellowstone Lake and Indian Pond to a rocky, windy overlook — open in summer and fall, closed in winter and during high bear activity.
Hike
Mud Volcano
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
4.9 miles NMud Volcano is one of Yellowstone National Park's most fascinating — and most pungent — hydrothermal areas, tucked along the Grand Loop Road in the Hayden Valley region between...
Hike 1.4-2.6 mi
Ribbon Lake Trail
Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
11.5 miles NWA gentle 6-mile trail through Yellowstone meadows past Clear Lake's thermal blue-green waters, lily-padded Ribbon Lake, and Grand Canyon overlooks — with bison and bears en route.
Hike
Lower Falls of the Yellowstone
Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
12.2 miles NWAt 308 feet, the tallest waterfall in Yellowstone National Park towers over the iconic yellow canyon walls — taller than Niagara Falls, with multiple viewpoints and trails accessible even in winter.
Hike 9.0 mi
Seven Mile Hole Trail
Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
12.3 miles NA challenging 10-mile hike along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone rim, then a 1,000-foot descent into the canyon for up-close Yellowstone River views and active hot spring sightings.
Hike 0.4 mi
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Grant Visitor's Center, Yellowstone National Park
13.0 miles SWBoardwalks trace the edge of Yellowstone Lake at the scenic West Thumb Geyser Basin — hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, lake shore geysers, and underwater vents in one compact visit.
Hike 0.5 mi
Duck Lake
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
13.0 miles SWA short 0.8-mile hike through lodgepole pine in Yellowstone near West Thumb, revealing the fire history of 1988 and a quiet, calm lake with a sandy beach feel.
Hike 1.4 mi
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
13.0 miles SWAn easy 1.7-mile loop from the West Thumb Geyser Basin parking lot with a rewarding overlook of Yellowstone Lake — a great beginner hike open in summer and fall.
Hike
Lake Overlook
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
13.0 miles SWA 1.7-mile escape from the West Thumb crowds, leading through forest to a mountain-top meadow overlook of West Geyser and Yellowstone Lake.
Hike 2.9 mi
Grebe Lake Trail
Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
13.3 miles NWAn easy 6-mile Yellowstone round trip on a converted fire road to Grebe Lake — with elk, wildflowers, burned forest regeneration, and fishing allowed on the lake at trail's end.
Hike 18.2 mi
Howard Eaton Trail
Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
13.3 miles NA 10-mile Yellowstone trail passing Cascade Lake, Grebe Lake, and Wolf Lake through forests and meadows — fish any of the lakes with a valid permit, or hike the full 20-mile out-and-back.
Hike 3.3 mi
Avalanche Peak Trail
Cody, Wyoming
13.9 miles SEA difficult 4-mile climb gaining 2,100 feet to Avalanche Peak's summit with sweeping views of Yellowstone's remote alpine peaks — watch for grizzlies, especially in fall.
Hike 2.4 mi
Cascade Lake Trail
Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
14.1 miles NAn easy, well-marked 4.5-mile out-and-back hike through meadows and forest to Cascade Lake near Canyon Village, with wildflowers in summer and frequent wildlife sightings year-round.
Hike 7.6 mi
Observation Peak Trail
Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
14.1 miles NA nearly 10-mile Yellowstone hike that eases through meadows and past beautiful Cascade Lake before a strenuous 1,400-foot climb to a spectacular panoramic peak.
Hike 0.8-3.8 mi
Little Gibbon Falls
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
15.5 miles NWA family-friendly 4.5-mile Yellowstone loop reaches fishing and swimming spots along Gibbon Creek, with kid-safe trail, canoeing options, and bearspray-worthy backcountry feel.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Ice Lake Trail
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
15.9 miles NWA short, peaceful trail through forest regrown after the 1988 Yellowstone fires, leading to a pretty, tree-lined lake with young lodgepole pines thriving all around.
Hike 3.4 mi
Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail
Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park
16.0 miles NA 6-mile Yellowstone hike via Dunraven Pass through quiet forests to the summit of Mount Washburn — a panoramic perch with bighorn sheep in summer and grizzlies near pine nuts in fall.
HikeNearby Campsites
Fishing Bridge RV Campground
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
1.6 miles EAn RV campground near the mouth of the Yellowstone River where visitors can watch White Pelicans, waterfowl, and trout from the historic Fishing Bridge — fishing from the bridge is no longer permitted.
Camp
Bridge Bay
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
2.4 miles SWA scenic campground on the western shore of Yellowstone Lake at 7,800 feet — wooded upper loops, open meadows, and a nearby marina store, though far from the park's main dining hubs.
Camp
Canyon Campground
Canyon Junction, Yellowstone National Park
13.1 miles NA popular Yellowstone campground of 300-plus sites just minutes from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Upper and Lower Falls, with hiking trails and North Rim Drive access right from camp.
Camp
Grant Village
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
13.9 miles SWNamed for President Grant near Yellowstone Lake's West Thumb, this village has lakeside dining, a geyser basin next door, campfire ranger programs, and tree-lined campsites steps from the water.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak 0.8-3.8 mi
Little Gibbon Falls
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
15.5 miles NWA family-friendly 4.5-mile Yellowstone loop reaches fishing and swimming spots along Gibbon Creek, with kid-safe trail, canoeing options, and bearspray-worthy backcountry feel.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Norris Campground
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
19.1 miles NWCentrally located in Yellowstone NP, this campground puts you within a short drive of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, and Yellowstone Lake.
Camp 6.9 mi
Heart Lake Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
19.2 miles SWAn 8-mile moderate hike to a remote backcountry lake with blue thermal pools, fumaroles, Rustic Geyser, and remarkable fishing for native cutthroat, mountain whitefish, and Arctic grayling.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Hot Springs 0.1 mi
Lewis Lake Campground
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
22.1 miles SWYellowstone's third-largest lake draws canoeists, kayakers, and serious anglers, with a quiet campground open mid-June through early November on a first-come basis.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak
Tower Falls
Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park
23.1 miles NTower Fall plunges 132 feet off Tower Creek in Yellowstone, framed by dramatic rock pinnacles — located about 3 miles south of Roosevelt Junction.
Camp, Hike
Madison Campground
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
23.7 miles WA partly wooded riverside campground at 6,800 feet in Yellowstone, close to Old Faithful and the geyser basins, with great fishing on the Madison River and 270-plus individual sites.
Camp 14.8 mi
Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
26.5 miles WA nearly 15-mile backcountry hike starting at Biscuit Basin passes turquoise pools, a 70-foot waterfall, Firehole Meadows, Imperial Geyser, and three stunning blue lakes with rust-red shores.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Hellroaring Creek Trail
Yellowstone National Park
27.2 miles NA suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River leads to sandy creek-side beaches and a mild backcountry trail past Yellowstone's largest granite slab — great for all ages.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Slough Creek Campground
Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park
27.4 miles NA small, popular Yellowstone campground right on Slough Creek where wolf packs are frequently spotted — sites fill fast, so arrive early.
Camp
Indian Creek Campground Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
27.7 miles NWIndian Creek Campground is a quiet, wooded, tent-friendly Yellowstone campground near Mammoth Hot Springs, big on wildlife and peace.
Camp
Pebble Creek Campground
Northeast Entrance, Yellowstone National Park
28.6 miles NEA quiet campground tucked in Yellowstone's far northeast corner near Trout Lake and world-class Lamar and Soda Butte trout rivers — arrive before 11 a.m. to secure a spot.
Camp
Mammoth Hot Springs Campground
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
32.3 miles NWThe only year-round campground in Yellowstone, with 85 first-come sites at 5 miles from the North Entrance, walking distance to the famous Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces and nearby hiking and fishing.
Camp 0.1-5.3 mi
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park
32.4 miles NWColorful limestone terraces covered in glistening hot-spring water, a 1-mile boardwalk with 300 feet of elevation, elk in the parking lot, and an easy family-friendly loop — Yellowstone's showiest geology.
Camp, Hike
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
41.0 miles SWLoon Lake is a small, lively mountain lake tucked into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest just off Ashton's Fish Creek Road, in the timbered high country of eastern Idaho near the gateway to...
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
41.2 miles SWA campground right on the Fall River along Yellowstone's south boundary puts you steps from legendary fishing, with fire rings and bear-proof boxes at each site.
Camp, Hike
Big Springs
Island Park, Idaho
42.4 miles WA Big Springs campground shaded by Lodgepole Pines on Henry's Fork — with a 1-mile interpretive trail, fish feeding under the bridge, the historic Johnny Sack Cabin, and access to the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Camp, Hike