No trip to one of the nation’s iconic national parks would be complete with a day hike. There are several trails that are perfect for families:
Artist Paint Pot Trail
The 1-mile round trip is like a trip across an alien world, beginning in burned lodgepole pine until reaching a thermal area boasting multicolored hot springs, a number of small geysers and two bubbling mudpots.
Lone Star Geyser Trail
Older children will enjoy this 5-mile round trip to the backcountry geyser that erupts 45-feet high about every three hours. The show lasts about a half-hour is much less crowded that Old Faithful.
Mystic Falls Trail
A 70-foot waterfall cascading over a boulder-filled canyon await on this 3-mile-loop that begins in pine forest. Part of the trailheads through a recovering area burned in the 1988 forest fires.
Porcelain Basin Trail
Milky-colored mineral deposits cover much of this hot spring that boasts sulfur pots and small geysers. The trail to this rapidly evolving area is an easy half-mile walk.
Slough Creek Trail
Though the first portion of the 2-mile trail can be strenuous, the rewards are great in the wildlife spotted which typically include moose. The Lamar Valley on the road to the trailhead is the best spot in the park to see bison.
Learn about other great national park day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at America’s National Parks guidebook.
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