Mount Washburn Trail
The summit that shows Yellowstone's shape
⏱ 3-6 hours👤 All ages$
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The mountain is named for Henry Washburn, who led the 1870 expedition whose reports helped build the case for creating the national park two years later. Geologically, it is a remnant of an older volcano that predates the caldera, which is why the summit view makes the caldera's scale so legible. The lookout is one of the park's active fire lookouts, and the shelter at its base has exhibits and a viewing area where hikers can shelter from wind.
To hike well, start early to beat both the heat and the afternoon storms, which build quickly in July and August; if you hear thunder, descend. Carry plenty of water, sun protection, layers (the summit can be cold and windy even in summer) and bear spray. Give bighorn sheep space even when they wander close. Stay on the trail to protect the fragile alpine plants. The park does not allow pets on the trail.
Practicals and fit: trailhead at the Dunraven Pass parking area on the Tower-Canyon road, which opens in late spring and closes in autumn; check opening dates before planning. A second trailhead on the north side, at the end of Chittenden Road, offers a different approach. Park entrance fee applies. Pair it with the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone below or a late-day drive into Hayden Valley. Fit: hikers, first-timers wanting a summit, and wildlife lovers in summer.
What to Expect
Format
A steady, wide-trail climb of about three miles each way from Dunraven Pass to a summit fire lookout with an interpretive shelter and a panoramic view.
Best Time
July and August for wildflowers; early mornings to avoid thunderstorms. Summer and early autumn only, when Dunraven Pass is open.
Duration
Three to six hours round trip.
Tips
Start early and descend at the first thunder. Carry water, layers and bear spray, and hike in a group. Give bighorn sheep space.
⚡ Quick Picks
Best For
One big summit hike with the whole park spread below.
Families
Good for fit kids used to hiking; altitude makes it harder than the distance suggests.
Couples
An early start, a summit view and lunch at the lookout.
Pair With
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley.
Time Needed
Half a day, north of Canyon Junction.
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Get Tickets →Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Mount Washburn hike?
About 6 miles round trip from the Dunraven Pass trailhead, taking three to six hours. The park rates it strenuous.
Can I hike it in November or winter?
No. The road over Dunraven Pass closes for the season in autumn and opens in late spring, so this is a summer and early-autumn hike.
Will I see bighorn sheep?
Often. The slopes of Mount Washburn are one of the best places in the park to see bighorn sheep, sometimes very close to the trail.
What is at the summit?
A fire lookout with an interpretive shelter at its base and a panoramic view of the caldera, the canyon, Yellowstone Lake and distant ranges.
Is there water on the trail?
No. Carry all the water you need, plus layers for a cold, windy summit and bear spray.
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Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The park's namesake wonder — a 1,000-foot gorge of yellow, pink, and rust rock with the 308-foot Lower Falls thundering into it, framed from Artist Point and felt from the Brink, where the river vanishes under your feet.
Hayden Valley
The park's central wildlife stage — vast grasslands on the Yellowstone River between Canyon and the lake, where bison jams are a daily ritual, grizzlies cross at dawn, and every pullout is a scope's-length from the show.
Lamar Valley
America's Serengeti — the broad northeast valley where wolf packs hunt, bison herds blanket the flats, grizzlies work the edges, and dawn with a spotting scope is the best wildlife show in the hemisphere.