Parking
There is no road-accessible parking or drive-up trailhead at the mapped start. The route begins at the Frost Lake–Lamar River junction in the backcountry; plan and verify a longer approach on a current park map.
Overview
About Mist Lake Trail
Why go
- A short mapped segment can fit into a longer backcountry itinerary.
Heads up
- The remote approach adds uncounted miles and is not confirmed.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Yellowstone map
Full mapElevation7,293–7,385 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
5 active Yellowstone alerts
- ClosureBiscuit Basin closed after hydrothermal explosionBiscuit Basin’s parking lot, boardwalk, and Firehole River are closed to all travel.Official details
- ClosureMost Yellowstone roads close to regular vehicles November 1Most Yellowstone roads and the West, South, and East entrances are scheduled to close to regular vehicles November 1, 2026, as the park prepares for winter operations.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
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Trail guide
Hiking Mist Lake Trail
A short backcountry spurThe named Mist Lake path is a short out-and-back: follow a 0.
The named Mist Lake path is a short out-and-back: follow a 0.28-mile mapped line between the Frost Lake–Lamar River junction and a Mist Creek connection, then return along it for about 0.55 mile total. Expect roughly 80 feet of climbing and about 15 minutes on this segment. That easy rating and time cover the spur only, not the longer approach from a road.
What the map confirmsThe line comes from an older GPS survey, which establishes its historical route but not its…
The line comes from an older GPS survey, which establishes its historical route but not its present marking or open status. No source confirmed that its far end reaches Mist Lake’s shoreline, so treat the name as a route label rather than a guaranteed lakeside payoff. The surface, crossings, and wayfinding are not documented.
Plan the full approachThere is no road-accessible trailhead at the mapped start; reach the junction on a separate…
There is no road-accessible trailhead at the mapped start; reach the junction on a separate backcountry route. The approach miles depend on the itinerary and are not included here. Check current Yellowstone backcountry maps and restrictions before setting out; Mist Lake-specific permit and seasonal rules were not confirmed. Pets are prohibited on hiking trails and in the backcountry, except service animals.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Yellowstone
713 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
743 sightingsWolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
5,273 sightingsBisonMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
3,258 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
397 sightingsMooseMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
1,494 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Yellowstone. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
