YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK  by Yellowstone Net

 Hiking in Yellowstone
 Madison Area

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Yellowstone National Park Hiking Index


 

  


MADISON AREA

The following is a brief rundown of some of the main day hiking trails in the Lake area. More complete descriptions of individual trails are available from the Yellowstone National Park Hiking Index.

Purple Mountain
This moderate trail ascends 1500 through intermittent burned lodgepole pine forest and ends with a nice view of the Firehole Valley and lower Gibbon Valley; some views of the Madison Junction area are also visible. Close to Madison Campground.  The trailhead is located 1/4 miles north of Madison Junction.

Harlequin Lake
This is a gentle one mile ascent through burned lodgepole pines to a small, marshy lake popular with mosquitos and waterfowl (but not harlequin ducks). Nice quick hike to escape the road for a little bit.  The trailhead is 1.5 miles west of Madison Campground on the West Entrance road

Two Ribbons Trail
Located five miles east of the West entrance, this is a completely boardwalked trail that winds through burned lodgepole pine and sagebrush communities next to the Madison River. Good examples of fire recovery and regrowth as well as buffalo wallows. There are no interpretive signs or brochures other than the wayside exhibits at the trailheads. The trail is handicap accessible.

Backcountry Hiking Information

Park Regulations

 
 

 

  

Yellowstone Net is Produced by Bruce Gourley, Russ Finley,  & Tim Gourley.
Copyright 1997-2005 by Bruce Gourley.