The Beta
LeHardys Rapids is one of my favorite stops to make along the way in Yellowstone. It’s a quick trip off the side of the road on the Grand Loop Road but, I’ll list it as a hike. It’s a must-do activity in my opinion – it’s just beautiful! This short boardwalk to a well-packed dirt trail is a beautiful activity to do while on the way to something else. Bring your camera along and get ready to view some awesome rapids!
Quick Beta
- Mileage: 0.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 30 ft.
- Highest Point: 7776 ft.
- Best time to visit: June through mid-October
- Total hiking time: 10 minutes
- Kid-friendly: Yes.
- Dog-friendly: Yes, must be on leash.
- Gear I brought: Camera and water bottle!
The Walk
A short walk down a boardwalk gives you some incredible views of LeHardys Rapids, one of Yellowstone’s coolest attractions. This is never a crowded trail, but expect to see people along the way! We encountered many people both this time and in 2020 – it’s a sightseeing paradise!
Need to Know
The rapids are fast-moving; be sure to restrain children and animals by the water.
Fishing is prohibited on this stretch of land and water. Obey all signs!
There’s a picnic area on the north end of the trail. It’s a great spot to take a break, enjoy the beautiful river, and eat your lunch with a scenic view. Since most people opt to just take the walk and move on, there are plenty of tables available. Of the 10 or so picnic tables we saw, only one was in use!
Justin’s Suggestion
There are two ways to enjoy the rapids: a quick get-in, get-out type of adventure, or a stop-and-stay-for-lunch type of adventure! In any case, this is a good stop to make along your road trip. It gives you the opportunity to stretch your legs for a little bit while seeing some rapids up close. It’s a wonderful walk in the woods!
Take A Walk!
Have at it! This is a beautiful walk and is well worth the side trip. I’ll be back with more Yellowstone soon – hang tight!
See you on the next one!
Parting shot:
Next blog: I have plenty of hikes and hot springs to share. There’s so much to get to! First up, let’s bridge the gap!
Justin Fague 
What a wonderful little part of Yellowstone that isn’t overly touristy1 LeHardys Rapids certainly looks like a force to be reckoned…very picturesque, but definitely not for swimming, haha! Thanks for sharing this portion of Wyoming– looking forward to the other adventures you have in store for us!
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