Assume bears are present. Wear your bear bell and carry bear spray. Make noise—bears avoid humans. Do not approach any wildlife.

No—it's Easy per NPS. The fire road is gentle. If you can walk 6 miles steadily, you can do this. Even beginners manage it if reasonably fit.

No permits for day hiking. You pay a $35 vehicle entrance fee to Yellowstone.

Yes—easy rating and moderate distance suit ages 6+. Enforce bear-safety rules and hydration.

Grebe Lake Trail - 6.2mi Easy Hike

Q: Where do I get water?

Grebe Lake is your only source. Carry treatment tablets or a filter. Start with 2–3 liters from the trailhead.

Distance

6.2 mi

Est. Time

3–4 hours

Route Type

Out-and-back

Dogs Allowed

Best Season

Summer and Fall

Overview

About This Trail

A straightforward out-and-back fire road through mixed meadows and forest leading to Grebe Lake. Suitable for most fitness levels without technical difficulty or significant elevation gain. The forest in parts burned in 1988—you'll hike through recovery landscape with educational value. The route takes 3–4 hours round-trip and offers the option to connect with the Howard Eaton Trail for variety on return.

Highlights

Difficulty Level

Easy

Trail Highlights

Grebe Lake is the destination—a quiet mountain lake where moose, osprey, and waterfowl congregate. The hike passes through recovery landscape from the 1988 fires; observe new forest growth and ecological restoration. Optional connection to the Howard Eaton Trail allows loops.

Insider Tips

• This trail draws fewer crowds than Old Faithful area routes; arrive after 10 AM if you want solitude. • At the lake, you can branch onto the Howard Eaton Trail to create a loop or extend to Duck Lake. • The burn zone is educational—observe snags, deadfall, and new regeneration. Wildlife is abundant because food regrows after fire.

Best Season to Hike

Summer and Fall

Hiking Tips

Carry 3+ liters of water—treat at the lake or bring purification tablets
Wear a bear bell; carry bear spray and know how to use it
Hat and sunscreen for full-sun meadow sections
Sturdy boots—deadfall in the burn zone can cause twisted ankles
Leave early; late arrivals mean midday heat without shade
Scan ahead for moose in meadows—unpredictable and dangerous
The trail is busier than true backcountry but quieter than Old Faithful area routes

Family Info

Easy rating makes this suitable for children ages 6+. The 3–4 hour window and moderate distance are manageable for young hikers. Enforce bear-safety rules strictly: stay together, make noise, do not approach wildlife.

What Hikers Say

Hikers appreciate the straightforward access and moderate mileage, though scenic payoff is lower than other Yellowstone peaks. The burn recovery landscape offers ecological interest and good wildlife viewing. Most rate this as a solid family hike or warm-up route before longer adventures.

Details

Trail Specifications

Distance: 6.2 miles

Duration: 3–4 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Route Type: Out-and-back

Surface: Compacted dirt and gravel fire road

Getting There

Trailhead: 3.5 miles west of Canyon Junction on the Norris–Canyon Road

Requirements

Permit Required

None—day hiking is unrestricted

Fees: $35 per vehicle (Yellowstone entrance fee)

Shuttle Available

Not required

Trail Rules

Dogs: No

Trail Markers: Well-marked fire road—low navigation difficulty

Map/GPS recommended

Trail Features

Conditions & Safety

Water: Grebe Lake provides water but must be treated. Carry purification tablets or a filter. Start with at least 2–3 liters of drinking water from the trailhead.

Shade: Mixed—exposed meadows alternate with forest sections

Cell Service: Unreliable—assume no service. Carry a satellite communicator if hiking solo.

Hazards:

Yellowstone bear country—use your bear bell relentlessly. Meadow sections offer zero shade; sunburn and dehydration are real risks. Grebe Lake water is untreated; iffy gut bacteria if ingested raw. Fallen trees in the burn zone can trip careless hikers.

Emergency: Call 911 if in range. For non-emergencies, contact Mammoth District Ranger Station.

Accessibility & Family

Accessibility:

Fire road is compacted and relatively flat, but not paved or wheelchair-accessible. No specific accessibility accommodations reported by NPS.

Family Notes:

Nearby Facilities

Canyon Village (3.5 miles) has lodging, food, fuel, and supplies. Nearest campground: Canyon Campground.

What Hikers Say

FAQs

Can I hike this alone safely?

Yes. The trail is well-marked and maintained; hikers are distributed throughout the day. Carry a satellite communicator and bear bell. Know how to use bear spray. The trail is not technical.

Are there bears?

Is this hard?

Do I need a permit?

Where do I get water?

Is it good for kids?

🏞️ National Park Service 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

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