Beaver Creek

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4/5 (5 reviews)
West Yellowstone, Montana (Gallatin County)
Last Updated: 05/29/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

This country dirt road is an hour south of Big Sky, one-half hour north of West Yellowstone and the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park, and just east of Earthquake Lake and the Earthquake Lake Visitors Center. This road is hard-packed dirt that runs north somewhat alongside Beaver Creek with tall trees and steep mountains on both sides for most of the trail, occasionally giving way to beautiful views of Beaver Creek. In early spring when the creek is running high on the banks it is amazing how loud the creek can be in this canyon, and in fall as the colors begin to turn its quite the sight. If you're an avid hiker or backpacker, Beaver Creek Road provides access to 5 trailheads. Camping is only allowed in designated sites. 7 of the 8 sites listed in this trail guide are nice and secluded. Hunters use this area quite a bit as well, and the hanging rack at Waypoint 17 is proof of that. Stories are said that the bears that show aggression in Yellowstone National Park get tranquilized, transported, and released in the mountains to the north of this trail. There is no documentation or apparent evidence to support that, but it's interesting none the less.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4/5 (5)
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Official Crew
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36700
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 05/29/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Still snowy in the shadows, with a couple of spots where avalanches brought the material to the roadway, but it has been cleared, and the trail is open. Beaver Creek is running high, the grass is green, and wildflowers are beginning to bloom.
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
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Official Crew
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36700
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 06/19/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Beaver Creek is flowing well above its banks, carving new waterways from the once dry grassy plains. Accessing the actual creek was not possible today with the overflow of water along the road. Still, a beautiful drive and usually great access to hiking trails.
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
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Official Crew
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36700
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 07/27/2021

Pretty drive, did both Beaver Creek and Ghost Village. All the campsites were full, and the road was pretty busy.
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
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Official Crew
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36700
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 05/24/2020

We ran this trail a bit earlier this year. It was nice being able to see further in from the roads before the trees leafed out. We were able to see a couple of deer that would have otherwise been hidden by the dense growth. Roads were wet but not slippery, and a few stretches of the road had quite a few potholes to navigate.
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
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Official Crew
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36700
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 08/17/2019

I've driven this road at least once a year since we heard that the aggressive bears from the park were relocated somewhere north of here in hopes of seeing bears. Only once did we actually see one. But, this is a nice dirt road with great views of Beaver Creek, tall trees and high mountains. There are a lot of wildflowers out here in the spring too.
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
Trail Review: Beaver Creek - Cory Wooldridge
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