Slough Creek Trail

Distance: 4 miles round-trip
Duration: 1-3 hours
Elevation: 6,250 feet
Effort: moderate
Trailhead: on the dirt road toward Slough Creek Campground, where the road turns left

This trail—actually a wagon road—makes for a delightful day hike through Douglas fir forests and open meadows. The first mile gains 400 feet in elevation, but it’s mostly downhill on the way back. The road continues all the way to the park boundary, 11 miles north of the campground, and is used for access to Silver Tip Ranch. This is the only way into the ranch, and because no motor vehicles are allowed, you may meet folks on a horse-drawn wagon during your hike. Day-hikers often go up the road as far as the first meadow, but more adventurous hikers continue to the second meadow (nine miles round-trip).

Pebble Creek Trail

Distance: 4 miles round-trip
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation: 7,300 feet
Effort: strenuous
Trailhead: Warm Creek Picnic Area, 1.5 miles west of the Northeast Entrance station

This remote area is far from the crowds around Old Faithful or Canyon. The trail climbs 1,000 feet in 1.5 miles before dropping into flower-filled mountain meadows along Pebble Creek. A second trailhead at Pebble Creek Campground anchors the other end of this trail, but at 12 miles it’s too long for most day-hikers. Backpackers use this route for longer trips into the area.