Pebble Creek Trail cuts through a section of Yellowstone that is far away from the geysers and canyons for which the park is famous. The crowds don’t come here, but the country is some of the nicest mountain scenery to be found.

The trail connects with the Northeast Entrance road at both ends, making access easy. You can start from either end, but if you begin at Warm Creek Picnic Area (1.5 miles west of the entrance station), you get to the high meadows more quickly. From the picnic area the trail climbs 1,100 feet in the first 1.5 miles, but beyond this it’s all downhill.

The best time to hike this trail is in late summer, when the water levels are lower (there are four fords) and the mosquitoes have abated. Hikers are treated to abundant alpine flowers and grand mountain scenery along the way, with the chance to see moose or elk in the meadows.

For a longer alternative hike, follow Pebble Creek Trail 5.5 miles from the picnic area and then turn west onto Bliss Pass Trail. The path crosses Pebble Creek (quite deep until late summer) before climbing 1,400 feet over Bliss Pass and then dropping 2,700 feet to Slough Creek Trail. From here it is an easy walk to Slough Creek Campground. Total distance from the Warm Creek Picnic Area to Slough Creek Campground is 20 miles.