Top 10 stroller-friendly trails in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park attracts more than 4 million visitors a year and many of them are families.

It has unique volcanic features, a high concentration of wildlife, gorgeous waterfalls and breathtaking views. 

Yellowstone is also one of the most family-friendly national parks in the country. 

We took our then two-year-old to visit Yellowstone and took an umbrella stroller in tow. It turned out to be a great alternative from the baby carrier when trails were boardwalks or paved. 

Here is a list of the top trails stroller-friendly in Yellowstone. The first trail is the easiest and the last trail is the most demanding (providing a little workout). 

1.  Old Faithful
2.  Lookout Point (Canyon Village)
3.  Boiling River Trail
4.  Grand Prismatic Spring
5.  Fountain Pain Pot Trail
6.  Porcelain Basin (Norris Geyser Basin)
7.  Back Basin (Norris Geyser Basin) 
8.  Mud Volcano Trail 
9.  Mammoth Hot Springs (Lower Terrace)
10.  Natural Bridge Trail 

1. Old Faithful – You can access Old Faithful from the parking lot with the stroller through a concrete path. Find a place on one of the benches until the geyser erupts. You can also take your stroller on the Geyser hill loop boardwalk, where you can see over 40 geysers, and you may catch one erupting. It has a few stairs at the beginning of the loop.

   

2. Lookout Point (Canyon Village) – Tower Falls is the overview of the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone. It is an easy access from the parking lot on a paved road.
3. Boiling River Trail – Boiling River is where the cold water from the Gardner River mixes with the Boiling River hot spring. The trail to Boiling River is really easy to maneuver the stroller and completely flat. It has a few stairs toward the river.

   

4. Grand Prismatic Spring – The Grand Prismatic loop has a boardwalk that will take you on the edge of Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States. It is relatively flat and close to the parking lot. 

   

5. Fountain Pain Pot Trail – The Foutain Pain Pot Trail is another short loop boardwalk perfect for the stroller where you can see colorful geothermal features.  It is flat and close to the parking lot

   

6. Porcelain Basin (Norris Geyser Basin) – The Norris Geyser Basin is one of the most active area in Yellowstone. The Porcelain Basin Trail is one of the two trails to explore. Except for a few stairs right at the beginning of the trail near the museum, the trail is either paved or a boardwalk that is mostly flat. You will see small geysers, colorful springs and orange and green runoffs flowing under the boardwalk. 
7. Back Basin (Norris Geyser Basin) – The Back Basin Trail is home to the world’s tallest currently-active geyser, Steamboat Geyser. Most of the trail is boardwalk, except for a part in on dirt path. There are no stairs. The trail goes down, then become flat before gently going back up. Geysers are just as active as in Porcelain Basin and we enjoyed seeing a geyser erupting toward the end of the trail. 

   

8. Mud Volcano Trail – The Mud Volcano Trail loops past some of Yellowstone’s most interesting mudpots, springs, and fumaroles. The lower loop to Dragon’s Mouth and the Mud Volcano is just off the parking lot. The boardwalk has a dozen stairs to reach to higher part of the upper loop and there is a little elevation after the stairs before the trail is flat again. Buffalos are commonly visible on the upper loop.

   

9. Mammoth Hot Springs (Lower Terrace) – Mammoth Hot Spring is very different from other springs you can observe around Yellowstone. Its size, shape and magnitude make this place unique. A boardwalk is accessible, though it has a fair number of stairs along the way and the trail climbs too. If you have an umbrella stroller, you will be fine. If you have a bigger stroller, you will be able to see the lower part of the Lower Terrace walking. To see the top of the Lower Terrace, drive to the Upper Terrace Loop and stop at the first parking lot. One downside of Mammoth is the lack of parking space so visiting it early in the day is recommended.    
10. Natural Bridge Trail – Natural Bridge Trail has two entrances: from the marina or from the campground. It is partially paved, partially dirt and flat. You can see wildlife occasionally. The trail leads to a small arch with water flowing underneath. The trail goes on to the arch thought that part is not stroller-friendly. Return on the same path you came from. 

Have you been to Yellowstone National Park with your family? Share which trail was your favorite?