Boundary Creek Trail

Boundary Creek Trail is a 17.2-mile, one-way backcountry route from Bechler Ranger Station to Yellowstone’s western boundary, west of Buffalo Lake. It threads forest, broad meadows, creeks and waterfalls, but this is a through-route, not a loop or a short walk to Dunanda Falls. The park calls it moderate; the distance and roadless finish make it a serious outing. Budget about ten hours of walking, or plan an overnight campsite if that day’s mileage is too much. Get the finish figured out first: the far end cannot be reached by road.

From the Bechler access, the trail crosses small Wyoming Creek and reaches a junction with the Bechler River Cutoff. The first four miles run mostly through lodgepole forest and small meadows. Around mile four, the route crosses Bartlett Slough; the water can be deep during the spring runoff season. By about mile 4.5, the trees give way to Bechler Meadows and open views east. The trail crosses Boundary Creek around mile 5.3 and follows it through the meadow for nearly a mile before turning toward a tributary and the Bechler Meadows Cutoff junction.

After that junction, the route climbs roughly 350 feet over the next 2.5 miles, mostly in open country. Near mile 8.5, a short spur gives a view over 150-foot Dunanda Falls; it’s a look down into the falls rather than a walk to their base. Silver Scarf Falls is visible nearby. The trail carries on north, so treat Dunanda as a stop along a much longer route, not the finish.

The upper creek corridor has thermal features, stream fords and cascades. Beyond mile 14, the route passes Horseshoe Cascade and Deep Pool Falls, then reaches Buffalo Lake around mile 16.3. The trail continues west from the lake to the boundary. At Bechler Meadows, a little trail in the foreground makes a better photo than aiming across an empty field; it shows how the open meadow follows all that forest walking.

Start at Bechler Ranger Station Trailhead on Cave Falls Road, just north of the park’s southern boundary. An information kiosk is listed at the access, but the western finish has no road connection. Arrange a confirmed continuation or return plan before you start. Day hiking does not require a backcountry permit; overnight stays do, and the permit is for a designated campsite. There’s no pet access on Yellowstone trails. The creek and slough crossings are cold and can be hazardous, and water that is crossable in the morning can rise later in the day. Check current backcountry conditions before setting out.