Natural Bridge

Distance: 3 miles round-trip
Duration: 1-2 hours
Elevation: 7,750 feet
Effort: easy
Trailhead: Bridge Bay Marina parking lot near the campground entrance road

This natural bridge is a 51-foot-high span of rock that was carved by the waters of Bridge Creek. The trail meanders through the forest for 0.25 mile and then follows a paved road the rest of the way. A short, but steep, switchback trail to the top of the bridge starts in front of the interpretive exhibit but is closed to hiking the top of the bridge. Above the bridge, the trail crosses the creek and continues along the cliff before rejoining the road. Cyclists can ride bikes to Natural Bridge on a separate trail that begins south of the marina off the main road. The Natural Bridge area is closed in spring and early summer when bears are feeding on spawning trout in the creek.

Storm Point Trail

Distance: 2.3 miles round-trip
Duration: 1-2 hours
Elevation: 7,800 feet
Effort: easy
Trailhead: Indian Pond pullout, 3 miles east of Fishing Bridge Visitor Center

This pleasant loop trail is essentially level and goes past a large colony of yellow-bellied marmots before reaching windswept Storm Point, where waves often pound against the rocks. Following the shoreline to the west, the trail eventually loops back through the lodgepole forest to Indian Pond. The trail may be closed in spring and early summer because of grizzlies, and mosquitoes may make a June or July trip less enjoyable.

Elephant Back Mountain Trail

Distance: 3.6 miles round-trip
Duration: 2-3 hours
Elevation: 7,800 feet
Effort: moderate
Trailhead: pullout 1 mile south of Fishing Bridge Junction

This nice hike climbs 800 feet in elevation through dense lodgepole forests to panoramic views across Yellowstone Lake and into Pelican Valley. After one mile the trail splits into a loop, both sides of which join at the overlook.

Avalanche Peak Trail

Distance: 4 miles round-trip
Duration: 3-4 hours
Elevation: 8,500 feet with a 2,100-foot elevation gain
Effort: very strenuous
Trailhead: across the road from the pullout at the west end of Eleanor Lake (8 miles west of East Entrance and 19 miles east of Fishing Bridge)

This trail begins on the east side of Middle Creek and climbs very steeply. It emerges from the forest halfway up at the base of a large bowl, and then it continues to the left and switchbacks over talus slopes to an open area below the summit. Follow the trail up the narrow ridgeline and cross it with extreme caution. At the summit, you can see most of the peaks in the Absarokas and Tetons, but snow is present on top until mid-July and afternoon thunderstorms bring the threat of lightning. Hiking isn’t recommended here in September and October because of the presence of grizzly bears feeding on whitebark pine nuts.