Elephant Back Mountain Trail in Yellowstone is a moderately strenuous 3.5-mile lollipop loop near Lake Village. It climbs about 800 feet through dense lodgepole forest to a broad overlook of Yellowstone Lake and the surrounding mountains.
This guide covers the loop direction, parking, bear safety, an interactive route map, and a downloadable GPX track. Explore every route in our Yellowstone Trails collection.
Trail Details
| Full hike | 3.5-mile lollipop loop |
| GPX coverage | 3.67-mile complete planning route |
| Difficulty | Moderately strenuous |
| Time | 2–3 hours |
| Elevation gain | About 800 feet |
| Trailhead | Pullout south of Fishing Bridge Junction |
Distance note: do not double the GPX. It includes the approach, summit loop, and return; minor measurement differences are normal on generalized centerlines.
Elephant Back Mountain map and GPX
The interactive map shows the complete lollipop route. GPX Viewer provides this page’s single download button.
elephant-back-mountain-trail GPX
| Name: | No data |
| Distance: | No data |
| Minimum elevation: | No data |
| Maximum elevation: | No data |
| Elevation gain: | No data |
| Elevation loss: | No data |
| Duration: | No data |
What the hike is like
The trail climbs about 800 feet over the first 1.5 miles through dense lodgepole forest. After roughly 0.8 mile, the path divides to form the upper loop. The left fork is the shorter way to the overlook, though either direction eventually reaches the same viewpoint.
The reward is a panoramic view across Yellowstone Lake and the Lake Village area. Much of the hike remains forested, so the overlook is the main scenic payoff rather than constant open views.
Directions and parking
The trailhead is at a roadside pullout about 1 mile south of Fishing Bridge Junction and just north of Lake Village. Use only designated parking, secure food and scented items, and do not block Grand Loop Road.
Put the GPX on your watch
- Download the GPX from the map.
- Garmin: import it as a Course in Garmin Connect and sync it.
- COROS: save it to the COROS route library and sync it.
- Apple Watch: import it with WorkOutDoors, Footpath, Gaia GPS, or another GPX-capable app.
- For another device, look for GPX import under Routes, Courses, or Navigation.
- Verify that the stem and complete loop are available offline before hiking.
Bears and current conditions
Grizzly bears use this forested area. Carry bear spray where it is immediately accessible, make noise, and watch for fresh bear signs. Check current Yellowstone conditions and the backcountry situation report before starting.
Elephant Back Mountain Trail FAQ
How hard is Elephant Back Mountain Trail?
The NPS rates it moderately strenuous. It gains about 800 feet in 1.5 miles before reaching the upper loop and overlook.
Is Elephant Back Mountain a loop?
It is a lollipop loop: an out-and-back approach leads to an upper circuit, then returns along the same approach.
Which direction should I hike the loop?
The NPS notes that the left fork is the shortest route to the top. Both forks reconnect at the overlook, so follow signs and choose the direction appropriate for conditions.
Related Yellowstone hikes
- Natural Bridge Trail — an easier nearby forest hike
- Storm Point Trail — a gentler Yellowstone Lake shoreline loop
This generalized GPX is for planning and does not replace trail signs, an official map, or current NPS instructions. Facts checked against the National Park Service Elephant Back Mountain Trail guide. GPX source: NPS Yellowstone trail centerline data.