The Best Short Hike in Yellowstone National Park

Are you overwhelmed with the crowd in Yellowstone National Park? Do you need to get away from it all and just soak in the beauty of nature?

Trust me. I understand.

When you are looking to be amazed by nature, but all you can see is someone’s head in the way of your view or another bison jam, it can be overwhelming.

If you feel this way, I have a solution for you.

Take a hike!

No, seriously. Most people who come to Yellowstone National Park only see the park from the roadways.

By taking just a short hike, you can get away from 90% of the crowds. I am not telling you to take a 30-mile hike in the back-country. Just going a mile or two off the roads will do the trick.

My favorite, under 3-mile hike, for this is Storm Point. It comes in at 2.3 miles for the entire loop trail.

But the views, I would hike 5 miles one way just to see and experience views like these.

As you sit at Storm Point, you can hear the waves of the lake lap against the shore, you can hear the wind rushing in your ears, and occasionally you can hear the sound of a child laughing as they ride around on a boat.

But as you can see from my pictures, not many boaters or people venture to this side of Yellowstone Lake.

The trailhead for Storm Point is located just 1 mile east of Fishing Bridge. If you are coming from the East Entrance, it will be on your left. If you are coming from Fishing Bridge, it will be on your right.

There are two small parking areas for this trailhead and a bathroom at the beginning of the trail, as well.

You will know you are in the correct place if you see a small pond on the side of the road.

This beautiful little pond is named Indian Pond. It is the perfect setting for a picnic lunch, with the mountains in the background, the wildflowers blooming, and the ducks splashing in the pond.

There are no signs for this trail or this pond from the roadways. We actually drove past it when looking for the trail the first time. If you are coming from Fishing Bridge and you make it to Yellowstone Lake, you have driven past the trailhead.

After parking in one of the small parking lots, you should be able to see the trailhead sign.

Take a good long look at this map, or take a picture of it like I did.

Do you see how the trail actually makes a loop back towards the beginning of the trail? Most people do not do the backside of the trail because they do not know the way.

In true Yellowstone trail fashion, this trail is very poorly marked.

Just follow the dirt pathway through the meadows, into the woods, and over the wooden footbridge. As you walk through the woods you will occasionally catch glimpses of Yellowstone Lake through the trees.

Just keep following the path. The only turn off on this trail is actually where it loops back around. This is marked by an orange diamond.

Keep heading towards Storm Point.

The woods open up to a beautiful meadow, that gives you stunning views of Yellowstone Lake. Follow the dirt trail, up the hill, and onto the rocky outcropping that is known as Storm Point.

Drink in the peace and beauty of the area.

Relax.

When you feel ready to move on, look to your right. You should see a trail that follows the lake shore.

Follow the lake shore pathway until it veers off to the right and into the woods. It will bring you back around to the orange diamond you past along the path.

I highly suggest this trail be completed in early August, as that is when the wildflowers will be in bloom. During this time you will see yellow, purple, white, and red flowers dotted throughout the meadows. It is just the icing on the cake for this stunning hike.

If you do this hike, let me know! I would love your feedback and experiences.

Don’t forget to share this post on pinterest and social meadow so that you do not forget to include it in your trip!