Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake Trail

Yellowstone National Park

moderate

Length: 3.48 mi

Est. time: 1h 18m

Gain: 327 ft

Loss: 418 ft

Max elev: 7,978 ft

NetworkTrail class 1Earthhike

Elevation profile

+327 ft gain · −418 ft loss — an estimate from a DEM.

Trailhead & logistics

Trailhead parking (Place)

Canyon Visitor Education Center (VisitorCenter)

What to know

Ribbon Lake Trail

⏱ This is a 5.8-mile (9.3-kilometer) there-and-back trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

🗓 summer, fall

Build a loop

stitched loop

Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake Trail + Wapiti Lake Trail

19.8 mi · +2,777 ft · ~8 hr (est.)

Connects to:

Wapiti Lake Trail Silver Cord Cascade Trail Clear Lake Trail Artist Point-Point Sublime Trail

Connect the dots

Learn:

A Bear's Menu Atomic Elements and Archeology: Tracing Ancient Resource Access and Trade Routes Using XRF Dueling Mandates: Preservation and Use of National Parks Hard Core Rock How Geysers Erupt Imaginary Yellowstone Road Trip

Journeys:

Thomas Moran Horace M. Albright Philetus W. Norris William Henry Jackson Ferdinand Hayden

Plan smart, verify on site

Length, elevation, and difficulty are estimates derived from open data (NPS Public Trails GIS, high confidence) — not a safety guarantee. Conditions change; check current closures, weather, and water, and carry the essentials. Always defer to NPS.gov and park rangers.

View Yellowstone National Park →Find more trails →