Yellowstone National Park · hiking · moderate
Mount Washburn
- Distance
- 10.00 km
- Elevation
- 430 m
- Duration
- 4.0 h
- Season
- Jul–Sep
Rae here. Mount Washburn is the climb most Yellowstone visitors actually finish — a graded old service road up to a fire lookout that doubles as one of the better viewpoints in the park. It's not a quiet wilderness day, but on a clear afternoon you can see from the Tetons to the Absarokas, and the bighorn sheep on the upper slopes are real, not folklore.
The trail
The standard route up from Dunraven Pass is roughly 10 km out-and-back with about 430 m of gain over four hours of moving time. The grade is steady — this was built for vehicles, so there are no scrambles or technical sections, just a long sustained pull on crushed rock and dirt. You start in subalpine fir and whitebark pine, break out into open slope within the first kilometer or so, and spend most of the climb above treeline traversing the south and west flanks of the peak.
The summit itself has a three-story stone-and-steel fire lookout with a public observation room on the lower level — bathrooms, interpretive panels, and importantly, a place to get out of the wind, which on this mountain is almost always blowing. Bighorn sheep frequent the upper switchbacks; give them room and don't follow them off-trail.
The alternate approach from Chittenden Road to the north is shorter and more exposed, with a parking lot that fills earlier. Most people take Dunraven.
When to go
The road to Dunraven Pass typically opens late May or early June depending on snow, and the upper trail can hold drifts well into June. July and August are prime — wildflowers on the lower slopes, manageable temperatures up high — but those are also the months when the Dunraven Pass lot is full by 9 a.m. and the trail sees a near-constant line of hikers.
September is the move if you can swing it. Crowds drop sharply after Labor Day, the air is clearer, and elk are bugling in the meadows below. The tradeoff is weather: early-season snow squalls are routine by mid-September, and the summit can be in cloud all day. October hikes happen, but the road closes for the season once snow sticks.
Afternoon thunderstorms are the real hazard in summer. The entire upper half of this trail is exposed ridge — there is nowhere to hide. Plan to be off the summit by noon, earlier if the morning sky already shows building cumulus.
What to know before you go
- Permits: No permit needed for the day hike, but you do need a Yellowstone entrance pass.
- Parking: Dunraven Pass lot is small and fills early. There's no overflow — if it's full, rangers will turn you back. Arrive before 8 a.m. in peak season or shift to a late-afternoon start (with weather permitting).
- Water: None on the trail. None at the trailhead. Carry everything you need — at least 2 liters per person, more on hot days.
- Wildlife: Grizzlies are present in the area, though sightings on the trail itself are uncommon given the foot traffic. Carry bear spray anyway and know how to use it. Bighorn sheep on the upper mountain are habituated but still wild — keep 25 yards.
- Altitude: The summit sits above 3,000 m. If you've just flown in from sea level, expect to feel it.
What to bring
This is an exposed alpine hike with no shade and no water, so plan accordingly. A wind layer is non-negotiable — the summit is reliably 15–20 degrees colder than the trailhead and the wind rarely lets up. Sun protection matters more than people expect at altitude: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen reapplied at least once. Trail runners or light hikers handle the surface fine. Bear spray accessible on a hip belt, not buried in your pack. Bring more water than you think.
Variations
- Shorter: The Chittenden Road approach from the north shaves roughly a kilometer off each direction, though it's steeper and more exposed to wind. Useful if Dunraven is parked out.
- Longer: The Mount Washburn Spur trail continues past the summit and drops down to Canyon via Washburn Hot Springs and Inspiration Point — a one-way traverse of about 18–20 km that requires a car shuttle. It's a quieter, more interesting day if you can arrange the logistics.
- Add-on: Combine the standard summit hike with a stop at Tower Fall or the Canyon overlooks on the same day — both are short walks and sit on the same loop road.
Common questions
- How long does it take to hike Mount Washburn?
- Most hikers take about four hours round-trip from Dunraven Pass for the 10 km out-and-back with 430 m of gain. Add time if you're stopping for photos at the lookout or waiting out wildlife on the upper switchbacks.
- Should I start from Dunraven Pass or Chittenden Road?
- We'd take Dunraven by default — it's the more graded, more sheltered route, and the parking lot is slightly larger. Chittenden Road is shorter but steeper and windier, and worth considering mainly when Dunraven is already full.
- When is the best time of year to climb Mount Washburn?
- September, if your trip allows it — crowds thin out after Labor Day, the air clears, and elk are bugling below. The tradeoff is unstable weather and the chance of early snow socking in the summit.
- How early do I need to arrive for parking at Dunraven Pass?
- Before 8 a.m. in July and August. The lot is small with no overflow, and rangers turn cars away once it fills — typically by mid-morning. A late-afternoon start works too if the forecast is clean.
- Is Mount Washburn safe in afternoon thunderstorms?
- No — the upper half of the trail is fully exposed ridge with nowhere to shelter. Plan to be off the summit by noon, and turn around earlier if you see cumulus building during the climb.
- Do I need bear spray on Mount Washburn?
- Yes. Grizzly sightings on the trail itself are uncommon because of foot traffic, but they're in the area, and bear spray is standard practice anywhere in Yellowstone's backcountry. Carry it on a hip belt where you can actually reach it.
- Is Mount Washburn a good hike for kids or first-time hikers?
- It works well for fit beginners and motivated kids — the grade is steady and the surface is easy underfoot since it's an old service road. The catches are altitude (the summit is above 3,000 m), sun exposure, and the lack of any water on the route.
