Bechler River Trail (Lone Star Geyser to Bechler Ranger Station)

Yellowstone National Park, southwest corner (Lone Star Geyser Trailhead near Old Faithful to the Bechler Ranger Station and Cave Falls area)

The Bechler River Trail crosses Yellowstone’s southwest corner, a region of waterfalls, meadows and backcountry hot springs far from the park’s main roads. The National Park Service describes it as a strenuous backpacking route of about 30 miles one way, starting at either the Bechler Ranger Station or Lone Star Geyser.

Hiking Project calls the southwest corner the wettest part of the park, with almost 70 inches of precipitation a year, and says the trip is “not recommended before late July” because of deep fords and hungry mosquitoes.

The hike

Hiking Project describes the trail north to south, which it says is easier, with a net loss of about 1,400 feet. From the Lone Star Geyser Trailhead, just south of Kepler Cascades on the Old Faithful to West Thumb road, a paved path follows the Firehole River 2.5 miles to Lone Star Geyser. The Shoshone Lake Trail continues past a small hot spring area to Grants Pass on the Continental Divide at about 6.1 miles.

The Bechler River Trail then climbs about 650 feet, crosses the Divide again near 9.8 miles, passes the Littles Fork meadow and the Gregg Fork crossing, and reaches Three Rivers Junction at about 15.5 miles. National Geographic points to a hot spring nearby, known as Mr. Bubble, cooled by the Ferris Fork. A spur leads to Twister Falls, and Ragged Falls lies upstream on the Ferris Fork, according to Hiking Project.

Bechler Canyon follows, with the main fords. Hiking Project lists an upper ford at about 17.8 miles (usually knee-deep by early August) and a lower ford at 19.3 miles that may be hip-deep. Iris Falls (45 feet) and Colonnade Falls (35 and 67 feet) come at about 20.4 and 20.8 miles. Kurt Repanshek of National Parks Traveler describes the main Bechler crossing as 40 to 50 feet wide and thigh-deep with a strong current, and says to use the orange marker for hikers, not the first one, which is for horses.

Below the canyon, the trail crosses Bechler Meadows, with a sandy-bottomed ford at about 24 miles and views of 230-foot Ouzel Falls. National Geographic says the meadows are underwater in June and buggy in July, and recommends August or September. Boundary Creek, Bechler Falls and Cave Falls (20 feet high and 250 feet wide) finish the trip. Hiking Project notes you can skip the Rocky Ford with the Bechler Meadows Trail.

Repanshek warns that mileages on maps and guides are rough and that “if you’re not comfortable crossing rivers with a pack on your back, this journey is not for you.” For another Yellowstone overnight off the same road near Old Faithful, see Shoshone Lake and Shoshone Geyser Basin.

Tips

Plan the shuttle. The trailheads are far apart by road; Repanshek calls the vehicle shuttle the main challenge.
Bring ford shoes and poles. Repanshek recommends “something such as Crocs or Tevas.”
Ask rangers about crossing points. A commenter on Repanshek’s article calls that the best way to find them.
Go late in the season. National Geographic recommends August or September.
Bring 35 feet of rope for the food poles, and carry bear spray.
Stay on the trail in thermal areas. Off-trail travel there is prohibited.

Camping

Overnight stays require a Yellowstone backcountry permit, and camping is only at designated sites. The NPS says about 75% of sites can be reserved on Recreation.gov at least three days ahead (an early-access lottery runs March 1 to 20; general access for the peak season opens April 26). Walk-up permits are issued in person up to two days before your trip, and May 15 to Oct. 31 you pick up your permit in person at a backcountry office. Stays run 1 to 3 nights, group limits are 4 to 12 depending on the site, and most sites take one group.

Every site has a food pole or box. The Cave Falls Trailhead page says to camp at least 100 yards from food storage and cooking areas, and that campfires are allowed only in designated sites with established fire rings. Pets aren’t allowed on park trails.

Inside Intel: Repanshek recommends site 9D1 over 9B9 for soaking, since it’s much closer to the Ferris Fork and Mister Bubbles. He says 9B9 has good views of Albright Falls, but warns that “the moisture in the air kicked up by the falls can create a condensation problem in your tent.”

Trail facts

Distance: About 30 miles one way (NPS); 31.6 miles (Hiking Project)
Route type: Point to point
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Campsites: Designated Yellowstone backcountry sites along the river and meadows
Water: Firehole River, Bechler River, Ferris Fork and many streams; treat it
Fords: Several deep Bechler River fords and Boundary Creek
Permits: Yellowstone backcountry permit required
Bear storage: Food poles or boxes at every site; bring 35 feet of rope
Dogs: Not allowed on park trails
Trailheads: Lone Star Geyser (south of Kepler Cascades); Bechler Ranger Station and Cave Falls (via Idaho)
Last verified: October 12, 2026

The Lowdown

Hip-deep fords in Bechler Canyon:

Hiking Project lists a lower Bechler River ford at mile 19.3 that may be hip-deep, and one writer calls the main crossing thigh-deep with a strong current. Read these tips before you wade in.

Read the crossing tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.