Hiking the Purple Mountain Trail in Yellowstone National Park
Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.5 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,500 ft. / 457 m
The Purple Mountain Trail in Yellowstone National Park is one of best and least-trafficked day hikes across all of Yellowstone!
This is because Purple Mountain is often an overlooked adventure, as visitors drive between the various geyser basins—like the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful to the south, and the Norris Geyser Basin to the north—typically prioritizing other, more popular day hikes in between, like the Fairy Falls Trail and the Artemisia Trail to the Morning Glory Pool.
For this reason, the Purple Mountain Trail can make for a typically quiet and secluded adventure, and the beautiful views of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Geyser Basins from the summit of Purple Mountain truly speak for themselves!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Purple Mountain Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Purple Mountain Trailhead is located just north of the Maddison Junction in a little turnout off the side of Grand Loop Road.
The parking area for Purple Mountain is small, but that is largely because so few people venture out on this lesser-known Yellowstone hike.
I think it’s worth noting that when you look up from the parking area, you are looking right up at Purple Mountain, as shown in the photo below.
Google Maps Directions: Purple Mountain 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.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Purple Mountain Trail
The Purple Mountain Trail begins across Grand Loop Road from the parking area shown above.
In my experience, I didn’t see any signs of bear activity on the Purple Mountain Trail. However, it's important to know that bears inhabit all areas across Yellowstone, which means that one or multiple people in your party need to be carrying bear spray.
After only 0.1 miles (0.2 km), the trail starts gaining elevation, which will remain steady for nearly the entire distance to the Purple Mountain summit.
Depending on the time of year, you may notice these red Canadian Buffaloberries along the Purple Mountain Trail.
Know that they are considered edible for humans, but I have read that they do not taste very well.
Purple Mountain Switchbacks
At about 1.5 miles (2.4 km), the Purple Mountain Trail begins a series of seven switchbacks, depending on how you count.
The lower switchbacks are a bit longer, but they gradually get shorter and shorter as you near the summit.
Additional Early Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, micro-spikes may be necessary, as the trail gets steeper on the switchbacks up Purple Mountain.
This is because upper elevation/ shady trails like Purple Mountain can be covered in snow into the middle of July, and possibly even later.
I personally use the Yaktrax below.
Toward the upper elevations of Purple Mountain, the Lodgepole pines begin to thin out, which is a nice sign that you’re nearing the top.
At the top of the last switchback, the Purple Mountain Trail will contour around the side of the mountain before reaching a flatter section just prior to the viewpoint.
The photo below is where the Purple Mountain Trail levels off before reaching the beautiful east-facing summit.
It was cool to see this little baby Lodgepole pine growing right off the trail.
Purple Mountain
According to the USGS, the summit of Purple Mountain in Yellowstone National Park is 8,392 ft. (2,558 m), but know that the main viewpoint is not the true summit of Purple Mountain.
That being said, this east-facing viewpoint on Purple Mountain gives you expansive views of the Madison River Valley and Yellowstone’s most popular geyser basins, including Old Faithful, which can be seen off in the distance in the photo below.
Warning
Afternoon thunderstorms in high Mountain West areas, such as this, are a serious concern during the summer monsoon season.
Even if the weather forecast doesn’t predict any storms, I can tell you from personal experience that they may show up out of nowhere and can put you and your entire group in a very dangerous situation.
I say this to emphasize the importance of turning around at the first sign of lightning, thunder, or even heavy cloud buildup. However, if you ever get caught in a storm unsuspectingly, follow the steps linked below to reduce the risk of getting struck.
U.S. Forest Service: Lightning Safety Tips
How Bad are the Mosquitoes?
If this is your first trip to Wyoming, you’re likely unfamiliar with how bad the mosquitoes will be. Locals don’t joke when they call the mosquito the Wyoming state bird, which is why I recommend grabbing this cheap bug net before going. You never know where and when you may want it because even midday in the most unsuspecting places, the mosquitoes can be out in clouds!
More Yellowstone Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Yellowstone National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
From personal experience, I’ve seen that the Yellowstone-Teton area has one of the highest Grizzly Bear densities in the country. Even on the popular trails, you need to be hiking with bear spray and know how to react in the event of a Black or Grizzly Bear encounter.
Aside from wildlife, Wyoming, like any Mountain West state, is known for its violent afternoon thunderstorms, which are more typical in the warmer summer months than other times of the year.
That said, it’s important to check the local forecast before setting off on any adventure, as lightning strikes are not uncommon in and near mountain ranges across the West. I have personally been knocked to the ground by a strike that hit near me in the past, and I confidently say that it’s an experience you don’t want to live through. This is why I highly recommend checking Mountain Forecast for any high-elevation adventures you may be interested in—especially when climbing a summit.
Finally, know that when micro-spikes are necessary for an early-season adventure, micro-spikes are never supposed to be a substitute for conditions that require crampons.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park websites.
National Park Service: Grand Teton National Park / Yellowstone National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
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