Hiking the Monument Geyser Basin Trail in Yellowstone National Park
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4.0 km
Elevation Gain: 640 ft. / 195 m
The Monument Geyser Basin Trail in Yellowstone National Park is a short but steep day hike that climbs to a somewhat remote hydrothermal area above the Gibbon River Canyon, where visitors can see a number of unusually tall, chimney- or spire-like deposits of siliceous sinter—hence the name "monuments!"
That said, the National Park Service and the USGS report that there are no active geysers in the Monument Geyser Basin, though there are active hot springs, boiling pools, mud pots, and fumaroles!
However, just because this is the case today, doesn’t mean it will stay the same forever. For example, the magnitude 7.3 earthquake at Hebgen Lake in 1959, just beyond the park boundary, changed the activity of countless thermal features across Yellowstone for the foreseeable future, and there’s certainly no telling what a future event might mean for areas like the Monument Geyser Basin.
All that to say, the Monument Geyser Basin Trail is a great way to enjoy one of Yellowstone’s many remote thermal areas, with the best part being that so few people venture up the relatively short 1.25-mile (2.0 km) trail compared to some of the more popular nearby basins, like the Norris Geyser Basin just a few miles up the road.
Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Monument Geyser Basin Trail is located in a small roadside pull-out directly alongside Grand Loop Road.
Before visiting, be aware that the trailhead is blocked by blind turns in both directions. I mention this because visitors often drive a little faster than they should through this stretch, meaning it’s important to be careful when hiking with young kids.
Google Maps Directions: Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone–Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone–Teton area.
Hiking the Monument Geyser Basin Trail
The Monument Geyser Basin Trail begins on a steep hill that climbs above the riverbank before leveling out just beyond the trailhead sign.
After the trailhead, the Monument Geyser Basin Trail follows a mostly flat path along the Gibbon River for roughly the first 0.5 miles (0.8 km).
At that point, the trail makes a sharp turn to the southwest and begins climbing a steep hillside that leads up to the remote hydrothermal area.
One of the most important things I can mention about this stretch is that I have seen a Grizzly walking the banks of the Gibbon River below the trail.
This was on one of my very first visits to Yellowstone National Park, and this particular bear was not hard to spot!
In fact, the bear was the source of a huge traffic jam on Grand Loop Road, just across the river.
I mention all this because I know from experience that you never know where Grizzlies might be. There are areas where they are more commonly spotted and areas, like this, where they are not. Regardless, assume they are everywhere, and never hike without bear spray!
This clearing, where the Monument Geyser Basin Trail descends toward the Gibbon River, is a nice sign that the sharp turn leading up the hillside is just 0.1 miles (0.2 km) away.
This is the 0.5-mile (0.8 km) mark and the start of the steep 640-ft. (195 m) climb up to the Monument Geyser Basin.
If these photos show anything, I hope it’s that there are essentially no breaks from the constant uphill, but the first 0.5 miles (0.8 km) after the turn are the steepest!
After that, the remaining 0.25 miles (0.4 km) level out significantly as the trail starts to get close to the Monument Geyser Basin.
Since there is so much elevation change over a very short distance, some hikers may want to use trekking poles, which can be particularly useful on the way back down.
On most steep hikes in Yellowstone National Park, I like to say that counting the switchbacks is a good way to know how much farther there is to go.
However, the Monument Geyser Basin Trail is one of the few exceptions, similar to the beautiful Avalanche Peak Trail, in that the trail climbs almost directly up the hillside.
That said, it does curve back and forth a little, but not enough to say this turn or that turn is the "x" switchback. It really is just one steep, direct ascent above the Gibbon River!
Even though these photos may make the trail seem intimidating, 0.5 miles (0.8 km) up the worst of it is a hike that most in-shape visitors can handle with proper preparation.
This is why I like the water bladder linked below, as it doesn’t necessarily need to be filled completely, but there is still the option to carry more for longer adventures.
This is the 1.0-mile (1.6 km) mark since leaving the trailhead off Grand Loop Road, and it’s exactly where the Monument Geyser Basin Trail starts leveling off for the first time since turning away from the river.
That said, the trail will continue to climb about 75 ft. (23 m) until it reaches the geyser basin, but the climb is noticeably more gradual from this point to the end!
This second sharp turn marks the end of the steep ascent, and it’s a nice sign that the Monument Geyser Basin is less than 0.2 miles (0.3 km) away!
As the trail nears the end, the Monument Geyser Basin starts to open up on the left-hand side through the trees!
Monument Geyser Basin (Warning)
This abrupt gap in the dense Lodgepole Pine forest is the end of the trail and the beginning of the roughly 7-acre (0.03-square-km) hydrothermal area.
That said, the most prominent 'monuments,' or rather, siliceous spires, can be seen to the northwest from the end of the trail, but know that walking through the geothermal area is not only not recommended by the National Park Service, it is also illegal.
Therefore, if you decide to leave the trail to explore the basin, know that you are doing so at your own risk—both physically and legally!
Old Faithful (Upper–Lower Geyser Basins)
Canyon Village
Maddison–Norris
Yellowstone Lake & East Entrance
Mammoth, Lamar Valley & Tower
