Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trailhead 2K7

We didn't do the full trail: we walked about 3.5 miles then turned around and came back (Making 7 or 8 miles total and 1059ft elevation gain). It took us 3 hours. Overall this can be up to about a 20 mile, out and back trail with a campsite at the end. You can walk as far as you want but there is not a lot of shade so bring sunscreen and water. If you go the right way and go far enough, there is a petrified redwood you can crawl inside but we didn't see it.Mile 0 - 1.5: along the edge of the river where you can see plenty of birds. You cross through a marmot colony as you go.At Mile 1.5 or so you turn inward, toward grassy plains. We saw a herd of bighorn sheep just before we got to the turn.After this point there is basically no more shade for the next 2 miles.Around mile 1.75 you go uphill. The gravel was slippery in place so you will want grippy shoes. You will see tons of marmots here too.The trail splits here, potentially from people losing track of the blazes as they go uphill. We followed orange blazes to the right, but accidentally ended up off trail a couple of times. The trail is clear and well-marked though, you just have to keep your eyes on it and don't follow others mistaken footsteps.Mile 2 - continuing through grass, the trail narrows a bit, it seems like most people turn around before reaching the top of the trail.Around Mile 3 - there is a big Boulder. You can't miss it. Good place to get shade, but there are lots of insects.From here we could see 2 big bison sitting on the hills. Just past the boulder is a sign where the road forks. We went left to see the bison. We turned around shortly after, for 7 miles total.

I spend 50% of my time every year in Yellowstone in this area. I've seen Grizzly's, Black Bears, Wolves, hundreds of Bison, Elk, Antelope, Coyotes you name it. The later you go in the season the fewer animals you will see though. I always try to get to Yellowstone in early May or mid October. As it warms, the wildlife moves farther up in the mountains. Leave it better than when you found it!

We attempted this trail on a hot day with a 7 and 10 year old. Fresh out the gate the buffalo started following us. The book said take the trail straight uphill and that is how it felt at elevation.. And hot. We made it past the petrified forest, nearly to the summit. However, we decided to turn back rather than finish because we could not tell which was the longer option.The views were phenomenal. It was near 90 that day, and if we had left earlier we may have made it. Lots of flies. Still, well worth the attempt. Enjoy!