Bacon Rind Trail

Bacon Rind Trail is a cross-boundary out-and-back from WK4, off U.S. 191. It follows Bacon Rind Creek west out of Yellowstone, climbs into Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, and reaches a junction with Skyline Trail. The full mapped trail is 7.05 miles one way, about 14.1 miles round trip; allow roughly 8–9 hours. The park also describes a 10.2-mile round trip to high alpine meadows, an earlier turnaround before the junction. A much shorter 5-mile creek walk turns around shortly past the park boundary.

The first 2.2 miles are mostly level along the north side of Bacon Rind Creek as it meanders through a narrow grassy meadow. Willows line parts of the creek and make good moose habitat. At the Yellowstone boundary, the trail crosses Migration Creek; the surrounding ground can be marshy in early summer.

Past the crossing, the route climbs steeply through mature forest, gaining about 2,200 feet over the next three miles to a bench on Red Mountain’s southwest side. Some forest burned in 2017. Higher up, the meadow and valley views open out. The full mapped route continues to the Skyline Trail junction at mile 7.05; turn around there and retrace the same path.

This is a hard, long day in grizzly country. The park recommends hiking in groups of three or more and carrying bear spray; pets aren’t allowed on the park trail. The trailhead is at the end of a short gravel road west of U.S. 191. Potable water isn’t available there, and restroom information isn’t listed. The park’s permit requirements name overnight camping, fishing, boating and riding, not day hiking. Mosquitoes can be troublesome in early summer.