Mallard Lake
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
| Address: | Lower Lodge Lp, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA |
| GPS: |
44°27'29.5"N 110°49'22.6"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Wyoming |
| Trails/Routes: | 3.1 mi |
National Park
Hike
The Mallard Lake trail is majestically lined with trees both old an new. This is a 5 mile leading to the beautiful Mallard lake, making it a 10 mile round trip. The trail is most popularly used for hiking, running, camping, and is best to hike from May-September. The Mallard lake trail gives a spectacular birds eye view of Yellowstone's Old Faithful. The trail is known to change scenery every mile or so, ranging from young and old pine, to rocky terrain, and then grassy meadows. Wildflowers are in abundance on this hike as well. These flowers can be found along the trail and surrounding the lake. The lake is calm, and only experiences disturbances when the wind causes ripples or when the fish create bubbles.
This lake is a little more private, which means it does not get very crowded during the warmer seasons. You can hike to the lake and enjoy a meal with a view, or let all of your senses indulge in the scenic creations. Many of the trees that were knocked down from the Yellowstone fires in 1988 can be used as seats or tables by the lake. Since the fire, the forest along the creek and surrounding the lake has developed into a beautiful, youthful, green woodland.
The lake itself was once known to be overly populated with fish.The rangers in the area tried to combat the over population and saw little success in the past. However when Yellowstone opened the area for public fishing the solution was found. the Mallard Lake is still brimming with lake trout. If you being your fishing gear on this hike, you might come home with dinner!
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=9zpxis0diinBackcountry Conditions - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
This page provides a map and details conditions of trail status, closures, and known hazards.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htmBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
- Head east on Old Faithful Rd (0.5 mi)
- Continue straight onto Old Faithful Lodge Rd (256 ft)
- Turn right onto Lower Ldg LpDestination will be on the right(0.1 mi)
Southeast side of the Old Faithful Lodge cabins, near the Firehole River. Take the first right turn as you come into the Old Faithful Lodge area and continue down the road past some cabins to the trailhead.Courtesy of nps.gov
From West Yellowstone: From the center of town enter Yellowstone and drive 14 miles to Madison Junction. Turn right and continue toward Old Faithful. The Mallard Creek Trailhead is located on the left after Midway Geyser Basin and the Fairy Falls Trail.
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Observation Point Trail
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
0.3 miles WA lightly trafficked 2-mile loop that offers an elevated aerial view of Old Faithful and passes close-up geysers on the way to Solitary Geyser — the quieter way to see the iconic geyser.
Hike
Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
0.3 miles NWOld Faithful has erupted every 44 to 125 minutes since 2000, making it one of the world's most predictable geysers — a must-see centerpiece of Yellowstone National Park.
Hike 6.2 mi
Howard Eaton Trail
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
0.4 miles SWA moderately difficult 6.5-mile there-and-back trail from Old Faithful through spruce-fir forest, past geysers and springs, culminating at the impressive Lonestar Geyser which erupts every three hours.
Hike 0.3-0.5 mi
Mystic Falls
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
2.4 miles NWA lesser-known Yellowstone gem — a 70-foot cascading waterfall on Little Firehole River surrounded by quiet forest, with short and long viewing trails both described as easy.
Hike 2.6 mi
Lone Star Geyser Trail
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
2.9 miles SA 4.8-mile round-trip trail through forest to a colorful geyser that erupts 30–45 feet into the air about every 3 hours — bikeable the entire way.
Hike, Mountain Bike 2.0 mi
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
4.0 miles NA 1.2-mile forested round-trip trail climbing to a sweeping overlook of the Grand Prismatic Spring and entire Midway Geyser Basin — the rainbow colors are best seen from above.
Hike 1.5-5.0 mi
Fairy Falls
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
4.0 miles NA 197-foot wispy waterfall deep in Yellowstone, along a mostly flat trail past Grand Prismatic Spring — at its most magical in spring snowmelt, quieter than the crowded geyser basin stretches.
Hike 0.7 mi
Grand Prismatic Spring
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
4.9 miles NThe largest hot spring in the United States sits in Yellowstone's Midway Geyser Basin — a vivid rainbow of thermophilic colors that makes Grand Prismatic Spring a must-see.
Hike 14.8 mi
Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
5.5 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 6.1 mi
Shoshone Lake (via DeLacy Creek)
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
6.0 miles EA 6.1-mile forest and grassy hike from Old Faithful to the shore of Shoshone Lake — a perfect crowd-escape option with fishing permitted (permit required) and backcountry hot spring access.
Hike
Sentinel Meadows & Queen's Laundry
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
7.6 miles NAn easy Yellowstone hike through open meadows along the Firehole River to flaming red hot springs and the historic Queen's Laundry bath-house ruins from the 1800s.
Hike 0.5 mi
Duck Lake
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
12.5 miles EA 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
Lake Overlook
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
12.6 miles EA 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 1.4 mi
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
12.6 miles EAn 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 0.4 mi
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Grant Visitor's Center, Yellowstone National Park
12.7 miles EBoardwalks 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 0.8 mi
Harlequin Lake Trail
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
13.0 miles NA half-mile stroll through peaceful pine forest leads to a lily-pad-covered lake frequented by Harlequin ducks and other waterfowl — quiet and uncrowded even in busy Yellowstone.
Hike 6.1 mi
Purple Mountain Trail
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
13.1 miles NA quiet 6-mile out-and-back through dense Yellowstone forest, climbing 1,500 feet to the peak of Purple Mountain for panoramic views of the Madison and Gibbon rivers.
Hike 4.9 mi
Riddle Lake Hike
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
13.8 miles SEAn easy 5-mile round trip through pine forest and meadows to a sandy-beached lake in Yellowstone — bear scratch marks on tree trunks remind you this area is active grizzly habitat.
Hike 2.1-11.5 mi
Lewis River Channel / Dogshead Loop
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
14.6 miles SEA serene hike along Lewis Channel to Shoshone Lake — the largest lake in the continental US without a road to it — with Teton views, driftwood shores, osprey, bald eagles, and ravens.
Canoe, Hike, Kayak 6.9 mi
Heart Lake Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
14.8 miles SEAn 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 SpringsNearby Campsites
Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
5.5 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
Madison Campground
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
13.1 miles NA 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
Grant Village
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
13.6 miles ENamed 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 6.9 mi
Heart Lake Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
14.8 miles SEAn 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
15.5 miles SEYellowstone'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
Bridge Bay
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
19.7 miles EA 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 0.8-3.8 mi
Little Gibbon Falls
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
20.0 miles NEA 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
20.3 miles NCentrally 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
Big Springs
Island Park, Idaho
21.5 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 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
22.1 miles SWA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Fishing Bridge RV Campground
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
23.5 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
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
23.5 miles SA 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
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
24.7 miles SCamp, Kayak, and Swim near Ashton, Idaho
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
24.7 miles SWA lily-pad-dotted lake hidden in the Targhee National Forest with a gradual beach entry perfect for wading, a floating dock for jumping, and no motorized boats.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim
Canyon Campground
Canyon Junction, Yellowstone National Park
25.2 miles NEA 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 0.9 mi
Buffalo River Campground
Island Park, Idaho
26.8 miles WAn easy, clear, and often warm float on the Buffalo River near Island Park, with slow enough current to paddle back upstream in a canoe or kayak after your run.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Upper Coffee Pot Campground
Island Park, Idaho
26.9 miles WHenry's Fork of the Snake River winds through a lodgepole pine forest past this campground, offering fly-fishing for rainbow and brook trout and easy tubing and canoeing.
Camp, Canoe
Sheep Falls on Fall River
Ashton, Idaho
29.3 miles SWA local gem off Cave Falls Road where the river splits into multiple falls tumbling over each other — primitive campsites and beautiful views make it a great picnic stop.
Camp
Indian Creek Campground Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
29.5 miles NIndian Creek Campground is a quiet, wooded, tent-friendly Yellowstone campground near Mammoth Hot Springs, big on wildlife and peace.
Camp 0.3-0.6 mi
Bear Gulch
Ashton, Idaho
31.3 miles SWAn abandoned ski hill from 1969 with overgrown runs that still deliver great sledding — the lower run is fast and winding all the way down to the old ski lift.
Camp, Cross-country Ski, Hike, Sled
