Yellowstone Hidden Gems Hiking Tour West Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs is a unique cluster of natural attractions situated at the northernmost entrance of Yellowstone National Park, just outside Gardiner, Montana. This remarkable site is celebrated for its striking travertine formations, which arise from the accumulation of mineral deposits over time. The pools within Mammoth Hot Springs are home to various species of thermophilic bacteria that thrive in the warm waters, imparting a distinctive brownish and reddish hue to the surroundings.

Nicknamed “America’s Serengeti,” the Lamar Valley is Yellowstone’s premier wildlife viewing destination. This sweeping grassland, carved by ancient glaciers and the meandering Lamar River, provides a vital habitat for the park’s most iconic species. Visitors can observe vast herds of bison, packs of wolves, grizzly bears, elk, pronghorn, and countless birds from the comfort of their vehicle or roadside pullouts. Dawn and dusk offer particularly magical moments when the valley comes alive with animal activity.

Climb 1,300 feet through forest and meadow to the summit of Bunsen Peak, named for German chemist Robert Bunsen who studied geysers and invented the Bunsen Burner. The summit offers panoramic views of the Blacktail Deer Plateau, Swan Lake Flat, Gallatin Mountain Range, and the Yellowstone River Valley. Return by the same route.

Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of Yellowstone's thermal areas.

Norris shows evidence of having had thermal features for at least 115,000 years. The features in the basin change daily, with frequent disturbances from seismic activity and water fluctuations. The vast majority of the waters at Norris are acidic, including acid geysers which are very rare. Steamboat Geyser, the tallest geyser in the world at 300–400 feet (91–122 m) and Echinus Geyser (pH 3.5 or so) are the most popular features.

The basin consists of two areas: Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin. Porcelain Basin is barren of trees and provides a sensory experience in sound, color, and smell; a 3/4-mile (1.2-km) bare ground and boardwalk trail accesses this area. Back Basin is more heavily wooded with features scattered throughout the area. A 1.5-mile (2.4-km) trail of boardwalks and bare ground encircles this part of the basin.

Starting at the Chittenden Road Trailhead this route provides the shortest route up to Mount Washburn. The road provides for a wide trail and a steady gradual incline. Look for bighorn sheep and wildflowers. Stay on the trail to avoid destroying fragile alpine vegetation. You may encounter bicyclists or service vehicles along this route. At the top, enjoy the view and interpretive exhibits from inside the shelter at the base of the fire lookout.