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Bunsen Peak Trailhead

Trailhead on Glen Creek on Bunsen Peak Trail, Bunsen Peak Loop Bike Trail, Bunsen Peak Road Ski Trail in Yellowstone NP, Rocky Mountains near Mammoth, WY

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Bunsen Peak prominently sits south of Mammoth Hot Springs. From this trailhead, you can embark on the following trails:

Bunsen Peak Trail

A moderate 4.2-mile (6.7-km) there-and-back trail to the summit of Bunsen Peak. Although this is a relatively short hike, the elevation gain is 1,300 feet (396 m) over 2.1 miles (3.2 km) of switchbacked trail. Caution: Grizzly bears frequent this area. (NPS)

The east side of Bunsen Peak has an unmaintained route connecting to the unpaved road section of the Bunsen Peak Trail above Osprey Falls.

Sunset over Mammoth Hot Springs from the Bunsen Peak Trail, Jacob W. Frank (NPS) photograph above.

Taking photos of Electric Peak and the sunset from the Bunsen Peak Trail, Jacob W. Frank (NPS) photograph above.

Bunsen Peak Road Trail (NPS)

A 6-mile (9.6-km) one-way, moderate trail that follows an old service road curving around the southern and eastern sides of Bunsen Peak. The first 3 miles (4.8 km) are mostly level. On the northeast side of Bunsen Peak, the road becomes steep and winding, dropping 960 feet in 2.5 miles (292 m in 4 km) to Glen Creek. Caution: Some curves have steep drop-offs and can be hazardous when icy.

Bunsen Peak Loop Bike Trail (NPS)

The Bunsen Peak Loop Bike Trail is a strenuous, ten-mile (16-km) bike trail that circles Bunsen Peak. It begins at the Bunsen Peak trailhead with a mostly flat ride the first few miles and then on the northeast side of Bunsen Peak, the road becomes steep and winding, dropping 960 feet in 2.5 miles (292 m in 4 km) to Glen Creek. It meets the Golden Gate Service Road near the National Park Service garage buildings and heads toward Joffe Lake (1.5 miles 2.41km) and follows the Glen Creek drainage steeply back uphill on a service road until it meets back up with the Grand Loop Road. Most of the trail is a dirt road and mountain bikes are highly recommended.

Alternative: Instead of biking this as a loop, the ride from the Bunsen Peak Trailhead to the Osprey Falls Trailhead and back is a relatively gentle ride of 6.5 miles (10.5 km) there and back. Caution: Some curves have steep drop-offs. Elevation gain/loss for the trail one way is 1,120 feet (335 m).

There are no bikes allowed on the trail to Osprey Falls. The spur trail is closed from the damaging 2022 flood.

Osprey Falls Trail (NPS)

The spur trail down to Osprey Falls is CLOSED due to 2022 flood damage.

A strenuous, 8-mile (12.9-km) there-and-back trail from the Bunsen Peak Trailhead, that descends into one of the deepest canyons in the park. Follow Bunsen Peak Road through grassland and burned forest 3 miles (4.9 km) to Osprey Falls Trail. Descend 700 feet (213 m) into Sheepeater Canyon. Osprey Falls, on the Gardner River, plunges 150 feet (46 m) over the edge of a lava flow. Return by the same route. Hiking, biking, skiing, and snow-shoeing allowed on Bunsen Peak Road. No bikes are allowed on the Osprey Falls Trail down into Sheepeater Canyon. Caution: Grizzly bears frequent this area.