The Hike With The Best Views of Yellowstone

 The Black Butte trail to Big Horn Peak is a challenging hike but with amazing views of Yellowstone as the payoff, it's worth it! The hike starts at Black Butte Trail Head along Highway 191 about mile marker 29. The trail marker is surrounded by trees so you have to be watching for it or you'll miss it. Parking for the trail is on the west side of the highway but the trail starts on the east side. 

This is an 11.5 mile with another mile to go directly to the peak. We stopped short of the peak due to heat and an exposed rocky mountainside.  Elevation gain on this trail is over 2,000 ft. 

There are a few springs that you navigate by rocks or logs and two creek crossings that have bridges. No need for water shoes on this trip. 

This hike takes you through the Gallatin National Forest Petrified trees. They are unique, large, and beautiful. 


The views are amazing on this hike and motivated me to keep on going even after it was in the heat of the day.  We saw only a couple other people on the trail. We talked with one individual earlier who had just run across a black bear at the trail split that heads to Dailey Creek. I mention this as it is always a good idea to carry bear spray when out hiking in the Yellowstone area.

We did this hike on July 23rd and it was hot! We were wishing that we had started an hour or 2 earlier to avoid so much time in the heat. Take plenty of water on this hike because after the last creek crossing there is no water. We knew this going into it so we were prepared if not then this would have been a much shorter hike for us. 

Water in the shade is the only thing that saved me! 85-degree heat is one thing sitting on my deck with a glass of lemonade and a completely different thing on a trail climbing 2000+ feet.


Even on a smoky hazy day just look at that view! Photographs are great but there is nothing like seeing them in person. We even saw a mountain goat.


This hike is a category 1 hike. What is a category 1 hike you ask? It's hard! Ha, Ha! Hikes are ranked in their difficulty in categories determined by their elevation gains and length. Category 1 hikes are as stated hard hikes because they are long and you go up in elevation as well. Please take into consideration your health and abilities before attempting this hike. 

Like I said earlier the views are so worth the effort. If you don't do Big Horn Peak pick another amazing hike. Hiking is a place to center your mind, challenge your body, and truly be one with the earth. 

Go take a hike!


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