Purple Mountain Trail
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
| Address: | Purple Mountain, Wyoming 82190, USA |
| GPS: |
44°38'48.0"N 110°51'18.8"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Wyoming |
| Trails/Routes: | 6.1 mi |
Trails National Park Pet Friendly
Hike
Purple Mountain Trail is a 6 mile out and back trail to the peak of purple mountain. This is a beautifully forested trail with little foot traffic is a quiet respite from the crowds of Yellowstone.
The trailhead is located just east of Madison Campground, and a quarter mile north of Madison Junction. Purple Mountain Trail has a steady incline. Hikers climb 1,500 feet in three miles. This steady incline makes Purple Mountain Trail a challenging hike.
At the beginning of the hike the trail is heavily forested. Purple mountain trail is quiet, allowing hikers to connect with nature as they climb. As the trail ascends the trees thin giving hikers more views of the valley. From the top of the trail hikers can view the Madison and Gibbon rivers. The panoramic view available from the top of the trail is one you don’t want to miss.
Purple Mountain Trail is only open during the summer and fall months due to heavy snow in the winter and spring.
This hike is an exciting adventure to add to any visit to Yellowstone National Park. Visitors who camp at Madison Campground will enjoy the proximity to Purple Mountain Trail. The peak of Purple Mountain is an exciting destination for your hiking bucket list.
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=9zpxis0diinPurple Mountain Trail (U.S. National Park Service)
Day hike in Yellowstone National Park
https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/yell-trail-purple-mountain.htmPurple Mountain Trail, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The 2.5 mile Purple Mountain Trail climbs steeply up a wooded hillside to a viewpoint of the Madison, Gibbon and Firehole rivers, near the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park
https://www.americansouthwest.net/wyoming/yellowstone/purple-mountain-trail.htmlBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Madison, Yellowstone National Park
- Head north toward US-191 N/US-287 N/Hwy 20 W (210 ft)
- Turn right onto US-191 S/US-287 S/Hwy 20 EToll roadMay be closed at certain times or days(0.1 mi)
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto US-89 NPartial toll roadParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(0.2 mi)
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