– Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km) – Duration: 20 minutes One of the shortest walks is the 0.7-mile (1.1 km) Midway Geyser Basin boardwalk trail. The trail is extremely popular as it takes you up close to one of the park’s most iconic attractions, the Grand Prismatic Springs.
– Distance: 1.2 miles (1.9 km) – Duration: 20 – 30 minutes While getting up close to Grand Prismatic Springs is fantastic, the best views of this famous natural wonder are from afar. Therefore, after completing the Midway Geyser Basin trail, you might like to take the 1.2-mile (1.9 km) Overlook Trail.
– Distance: 4.8 miles (7.7 km) – Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours If you’re looking to combine some of the best short hikes in Yellowstone, you can walk the 4.6-miles (7.7 km) Fairy Falls Trail after the previous two. The trailhead is the same starting point as Grand Prismatic Springs Overlook Trail.
– Distance: 1.1 miles (1.8 km) – Duration: 20 – 30 minutes The Artist Paint Pots is a small hydrothermal area with colorful hot springs and two large mud pots. It is located on the west side of the park, 3.7 miles (6 km) south of the Norris Geyser Basin.
– Distance: 2.4 miles (3.8 km) – Duration: 1.5 – 3 hours Mystic Falls is a 70-foot (21 m) cascade waterfall in the western part of the park (Upper Geyser Basin). The short 2.4-mile (3.8 km) trail takes you along flat boardwalks through the brightly colored hot pools of Biscuit Basin and eventually to the refreshing waterfall.
– Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) – Duration: 1 – 2 hours Natural Bridge is a 51-foot (16 m) cliff that rhyolite rock from Bridge Creek cut through to form a fascinating arch. The arch sits at an elevation of 7,983 feet (2.4 km), and you can reach it via the 2.5-mile (4 km) out and back trail from the Bridge Bay Marina parking lot.