Bechler River Trail

The Bechler River Trail is approx 31 miles from the Bechler Ranger Station to Old Faithful

Bechler Ranger Station Weather 

Old Faithful Weather 

NPS - Yellowstone Backcountry Camping 

Beyond Roads End  - Video recommended to watch

Beyond Roads End  - Regulations and Guidelines

Map 

• Info to Reserve Campgrounds ($25), get Permits ($3 per person per night, max $15 per night).

• 35$ vehicle 7-day pass

• Group size max is 12, if >12 must get an additional permit and must camp at separate campgrounds.

• Trip Planner

• Advanced Backcountry Permit Application 

Yellowstone Backcountry Web Page.  

Bechler Ranger Station Web Page

Bechler River Wiki 

Key Dates:

• January 1st, reservation requests are accepted

• March 1st, recommended date to send reservation requests

• April 1st, reservation requests already received will be processed randomly.  After March 31 requests will be processed FIFO.

Some of the Attractions:

• Ouzel Falls 

• Colonnade Falls 

• Iris Falls 

• Albright Waterfall 

• Ragged Falls

• Ferris Fork Spur Trail  (Mr. Bubbles)

• Twister Falls

• Lone Star Geyser

• Old Faithful

• Additional descriptions can be found here: Yellowstone Backcountry Waterfalls 

Driving Info

• South Jordan to Ranger Station - 304 miles and ~5 hours travel time

• Ranger Station to Geyser - 94.4 miles and ~3.5 hours travel time

• Geyser to South Jordan -390 miles and ~7 hours travel time

Alternate hikes

• Nine Mile Trailhead:

  • The Nine Mile Trailhead (5K5), located on the northeast side of Yellowstone Lake, serves as a gateway for remote, backcountry hiking and horseback riding into the southeastern corner of the park, including the Thorofare region. This area is known for its rugged, remote terrain, featuring dense forests, marshy sections, and frequent grizzly bear activity. 

• cache creek 

  • Cache Creek is a major, scenic tributary of the Lamar River in the remote northeastern corner of Yellowstone National Park, renowned for excellent backcountry fishing, wildlife viewing (grizzly bears, wolves, bison), and hiking. Accessed via the Lamar River Trail near Soda Butte, it offers a 37.6-mile round-trip experience leading into the Absaroka Mountains. 

• lamar river trail 

  • The Lamar River Trail in Yellowstone is a premier, mostly flat 31-33 mile out-and-back hike through the heart of Lamar Valley, ideal for viewing bison, wolves, and bears. Starting at the Soda Butte/Lamar River trailhead, it offers scenic, open meadow views and follows the river, making it excellent for day hikes (4-8 miles) or long backpacking trips. 

• snake river yellowstone

  • Hiking along the Snake River in Yellowstone focuses on remote, scenic, and often challenging backcountry trails in the southern part of the park, with the premier option being the 28-mile Snake River/Heart Lake loop. This area offers opportunities for solitude, wildlife spotting, and access to the Snake Hot Springs.