Mount Washburn
Mountain Yellowstone peak with panoramic views and frequent bison
Inside Yellowstone National Park, Mount Washburn features short, well‑worn trails, regular wildlife sightings and lookout points over geyser basins and valleys.
Mount Washburn is a prominent peak inside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and a well-known viewpoint within the park. It is frequently visited by day hikers and offers wide-ranging views over Yellowstone’s central plateaus.
A network of maintained trails leads to the summit; the area is a popular day hike and wildlife viewing location, often used to observe bighorn sheep and other alpine fauna. The summit area contains interpretive features and is accessible on marked routes rather than technical climbing.
The mountain has long been part of Yellowstone’s landscape and park management, used for recreation and observation since the park’s early conservation era; trails and visitor facilities were developed to support public access. It is a natural volcanic/tectonic feature rather than a constructed monument.
Geographically Mount Washburn sits in the north-central part of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, amid the park’s high plateaus and caldera-edge terrain and reachable from park roads and trailheads.
- Viewpoint: Offers one of the more accessible summit viewpoints in Yellowstone National Park with panoramic views over the park's caldera and valleys.
How to Get to Mount Washburn #
From the Canyon Village area of Yellowstone, take Dunraven Pass Road (seasonal) toward the Mount Washburn trailhead. Several trail options exist from the parking area with signage. Check the National Park Service for current road and trail conditions.
Tips for Visiting Mount Washburn #
- Arrive early to beat the tour buses and to see bighorn sheep that often graze along the Washburn Road.
- The road to Dunraven Pass is seasonal-check National Park Service updates for closures.
- Hike the 1.2-3.0 mile trails from the parking area depending on which ridge or lookout is chosen; shorter options exist for casual visitors.
Best Time to Visit Mount Washburn #
Summer provides the most reliable access for short hikes to the summit; shoulder seasons offer quieter experiences but check road status.
Weather & Climate near Mount Washburn #
Mount Washburn's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -15°C to 18°C. Moderate rainfall (649 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -4°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).
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February
February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm).
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March
March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -14°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm).
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April
April is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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June
June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with 67 mm of rain.
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July
July is cold with highs of 18°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm).
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August
August is cold with highs of 18°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm).
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September
September is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
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November
November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -11°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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December
December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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