Thorofare Trail (Nine Mile Trailhead to the Thorofare Ranger Station)

Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Lake east shore and the upper Yellowstone River (Nine Mile Trailhead on the East Entrance Road)

The Thorofare Trail follows the east shore of Yellowstone Lake and then the upper Yellowstone River toward the park’s southeast corner. The National Park Service describes it as 33.1 miles one way “into some of the park’s most remote areas,” and Hiking Project calls its far end “the most remote spot in the Lower 48,” more than 25 miles from the nearest road.

The grades are gentle. Hiking Project lists only about 1,000 feet of climbing over 34 miles. The challenge is distance, creek fords and grizzly country.

The hike

The trail starts at the Nine Mile Trailhead, 9 miles east of Fishing Bridge on the East Entrance Road. Hiking Project’s mileage log crosses Cub Creek at about 1.3 miles and Clear Creek, through forest burned in 2003 and 2011, with the first lake views at 3.4 miles and the Park Point area at 6.4 miles.

The trail stays near the shore past Columbine Creek (9.5 miles) and Terrace Point (15.2 miles) to Beaverdam Creek (17.6 miles) and the Cabin Creek Patrol Cabin. It then follows the banks of the Yellowstone River from about 20.6 miles, crossing Trappers Creek (23.5) and Mountain Creek (26.2), where side trails lead to Eagle Pass. The Trident, Cliff and Escarpment creeks come before the Thorofare Ranger Station at about 33.2 miles, and the park’s south boundary just beyond. Hiking Project lists moose, elk, grizzly bears, bald eagles and sandhill cranes as possible sightings, and the NPS tells hikers to bring bug spray and be prepared to ford creeks.

From the boundary, Hiking Project notes you can continue south through Bridger-Teton National Forest to U.S. Highway 287 or head west on the South Boundary Trail toward the South Entrance. South of the park lies the Teton Wilderness, which Wikipedia describes as about 585,000 acres of prime grizzly habitat with roughly 450 miles of trails, including the Yellowstone River’s headwaters near Thorofare Mountain.

Many hikers don’t go the whole way. A Wasatch Mountain Club group that started at Nine Mile in late August 2022 reached the Park Point campsite the first evening and covered about 8 miles to Brimstone Point the next day, then continued past the Thorofare Ranger Station toward Ishawooa Pass on a nine-day trip averaging about 8 miles a day. They saw bear scat but no grizzlies, and temperatures near 90 degrees, which the report says was at least 20 degrees above normal.

For a shorter Yellowstone overnight in the same southern half of the park, see Heart Lake and Mount Sheridan.

Tips

Check bear management restrictions before you set your itinerary; Hiking Project says some sections and campsites are restricted until Aug. 10.
Plan food carefully. The Wasatch Mountain Club group carried about eight days of food.
Be ready to ford. The NPS says to prepare to ford creeks; bring shoes for crossings.
Bring bug spray, as the NPS recommends.
Hike in a group of three or more and carry bear spray where you can reach it.

Camping

A Yellowstone backcountry permit is required, 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, and walk-up permits are issued in person up to two days before a trip; May 15 to Oct. 31 you pick up permits in person. Stays run 1 to 3 nights, group limits are 4 to 12 by site, and most sites take one group. Every site has a food pole or box. The Nine Mile Trailhead page says to sleep at least 100 yards from food storage and cooking areas, to build fires only in established rings at designated sites, and to carry at least 35 feet of rope. Pets aren’t allowed on park trails.

Inside Intel: Michael Budig’s Wasatch Mountain Club report describes the Park Point site, about 6 miles in, as “a beautiful campsite with a gorgeous view over Yellowstone Lake.” The group reached it the first evening after a 3 p.m. start.

Trail facts

Distance: 33.1 miles one way (NPS); 66.2 miles out and back to the Thorofare area
Route type: Out and back, or point to point via the Teton Wilderness or South Boundary Trail
Difficulty: Strenuous for length; grades are gentle
Campsites: Designated sites along Yellowstone Lake and the Yellowstone River
Water: Yellowstone Lake and many creeks; treat it
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
Trailhead: Nine Mile Trailhead (5K5), East Entrance Road, 9 miles east of Fishing Bridge
Last verified: October 12, 2026

The Lowdown

Creek fords along the Thorofare Trail:

Hiking Project's log crosses Cub Creek, Trappers Creek, and Mountain Creek on the way up the Thorofare, and the NPS says to be prepared to ford creeks. Our five tips cover shoes, timing, and when to turn back.

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.