We will be heading to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone next summer-late June and early July. This will be our first trip there and we plan to do quite a bit of hiking. My question is how crowded are the popular trails that time of year? Here on the East coast in Shenandoah and Blue Ridge, one can hike all day on some of the trails never seeing another person and other trails during fall foliage season can seem like Walmart the day before Christmas. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks.

On popular trails in YNP you will be in a crowd. Like the trail to Yellowstone Falls. But there are hundreds of miles of less traveled trails and on some of those you will not see anyone. Popular trail after all implies lots of people want to see whatever it is. Just remember that YNP got over 4,000,000 visitors in 2015 and the Shenandoah probably gets less than a few percent of that.YNP trails have their own special dangers that you should be aware of. First of course is the Grizzly bear population. Carry bear spray. And second is the geological hydrothermal features. There are a lot of fumaroles and such that you might encounter.

If you don't want to run into people, consider the trails in the Beartooth-Absaroka Wilderness area, immediately to the North of Yellowstone. 2.2 million acres of land where motorized travel is not allowed. The largest area of alpine tundra in the continental US. Hundreds of alpine lakes. Glaciers with 10,000 year old grasshoppers frozen in the face and the largest expanse of land over 10,000 feet in elevation in the continental US. Be very aware that winter doesn't let go until August and reappears in September. Also, altitude can be a killer, literally so don't just plow in without preparation. Finally, help will be a long time coming and your cell phone won't work, so don't travel alone, let the rangers know of your plans and be sure to let them know when Elvis has left the building. BTW, the elevation of much of the Beartooths is too high for Grizzlies, so you won't have to worry about being mauled to death, but falling off the namesake peak will be just as painful and deadly.

You might be interested in the book `Tracking the Spirit of Yellowstone' by a former Ranger. He claimed, at the time, that there were part of Yellowstone that had never seen man.When we were younger, a few years ago, we hiked both Yellowstone and the Tetons BUT used hiking sticks and really good boots. We did see people hiking in flip flops, however. No matter the crowds the views are spectacular.

We, too, are hikers. In our experience with multiple visits to Yellowstone, once you get away from the short geyser, mud pot walks and get on a real trail, you will only see a few people. Most do not come to Yellowstone to hike but they're missing out on some great views. :) Here's the official Yellowstone site which covers a lot of park information - good readying. It also gives some hiking information and there are many books to purchase with hiking information.http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hiking.htmI hope you're also planning to visit nearby Grand Teton Nat'l Park. That is where we really enjoy hiking.http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/hike.htm

Thanks for the replies and tips. We do plan to get bear spray and are going to the Grand Tetons also. The trails sound a lot like ones on the East coast-popular ones can be crowded on the weekends and other ones will be less so. Thanks again.

Hiking trails in Yellowstone | Good Sam Community

kmbernstein
Explorer
Dec 31, 2015
My hubby and I have been to the Yellowstone and Grand teton national parks 8 separate times, some with our boys, some just the two of us. We take great pleasure in hiking the many trails of both parks. I can truly say that, in the 100+ hikes we have taken, I can count the number of times we have encountered bears on the trails at less than 5. We have encountered bison more often. We practiced appropriate care and never were in danger. My advice is to always be alert, follow advice, carry bear spray, and enjoy. I have always been amazed at how few people we encounter once we get off the beaten path, even in the middle of summer. Often times, we see only two or three groups pf hikers on the entire trail once we get 10 or 15 minutes into the hike. We encountered many more people on our hikes in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park and on the Appalachian Trail. Yes, national parks allow concealed carry if the state allows it. Hubby carries a Kimber 45, and I carry a 1911 380. Mine wont stop a bear, but his will. We are both so used to carrying that we don't notice the weight. My advice is simple. ALWAYS check with the rangers about whatever trail you are going on. They can let you know about any animal activity. Be prepared for all weather, take LOTS of water and snacks, first aid kit, and a camera. Several books we have used are Yellowstone Treasures by Janet Chapple, A Ranger's Guide To Yellowstone Day Hikes by Roger Anderson and Carol Shively Anderson, Day Hikes In Yellowstone National Park by Robert Stone, and Day Hikes In Grand Teton National Park, also by Robert Stone. ENJOY!
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Dec 30, 2015
Don't try to use bear spray on a windy day. :) That charging grizzly needs to be close when you try to spray him. Personally, we don't worry about 'what ifs'. Go out and enjoy that hike and be aware of your surroundings - just like boondocking.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Dec 30, 2015
agesilaus wrote:
It is legal to carry a weapon in National Parks if the surrounding state allows it. And You can assume that Wyoming is permissive. The Rangers don't like it but that's the law as of 3 or 4 years ago.

But that being said, If I had to stop a charging Brown Bear I'd want a .44 Mag at the minimum. Kind of heavy to carrying on a hike. Of course two legged predators can be stopped with smaller lighter weaponry.

Bear spray has been proven to stop a charging grizzly bear. A .44 magnum will not stop a charging grizzly bear, unless you can place the first shot properly. Good luck with that first shot.
Uppercrust
Explorer
Dec 29, 2015
Yes Fairy Falls is a beautiful hike and the geysers past it were awesome to see.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Dec 29, 2015
It is legal to carry a weapon in National Parks if the surrounding state allows it. And You can assume that Wyoming is permissive. The Rangers don't like it but that's the law as of 3 or 4 years ago.

But that being said, If I had to stop a charging Brown Bear I'd want a .44 Mag at the minimum. Kind of heavy to carrying on a hike. Of course two legged predators can be stopped with smaller lighter weaponry.
pinesman
Explorer
Dec 29, 2015
We had planned to get bear spray but does anyone ever "carry" also when on the trail? I am not trying to get in the forbidden zone, just trying to ask a question.
Uncle_Grumpy
Explorer
Dec 29, 2015
The wind river wilderness in the Pinedale area has unsurpassed hiking without the crowds. Yellowstone is over rated. The snowies and the bighorns are both good.
tragusa3
Explorer
Dec 29, 2015
To reiterate the last many comments: In mid June, we hiked "The Narrows" at Zion (very popular) without seeing another person for the 4-5 miles out. Our own private exploration! And it was magical! We ran into a literal wave of people on our return trip. The trick was being on the first shuttle. 90% of the crowd is not getting up that early.
dave54
Nomad
Dec 29, 2015
As mentioned before, past the first couple miles the crowd thins out to solitude.

Go early in the morning. Leave your campsite before dawn and get to the trailhead at first light. Even the first few miles will be empty and the wildlife are active.

If your skills are up to it and you are comfortable doing so hike off trail.
profdant139
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2015
If you have the time and the energy, the trail to Fairy Falls and Imperial Geyser basin is great -- nobody there, and your own personal geysers! Just watch your footing -- no boardwalks or guardrails to keep you safe.