Mystic Lake

Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: Day Hike
Distance: ~6 miles round trip
Elevation: 7,669 feet
Coordinates: 45.22310, -109.78311
Time: ~3 to 4 hours round trip
Access: Highly maintained trail. Departs from the main Mystic Lake Trailhead at the end of West Rosebud Road.
Bugs: Minimal (little to no bugs)

Getting there

Drive to the very end of West Rosebud Road past Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake. The route ends at a large, well-developed parking lot at the main powerhouse trailhead, which provides ample space for standard vehicles.

The hike

From the trailhead parking lot, follow the exceptionally well-beaten and highly maintained path heading up the canyon. The outbound trek is roughly 3 miles long and involves 1,300 vertical feet of steady elevation gain to reach the overlook. This destination is widely celebrated as one of the single most popular and scenic day hikes in the entire Beartooth mountain range. Once you arrive at the overlook and descend slightly to the shore, the massive lake itself stretches out for roughly an additional 3 miles in length.

Tips & safety

• Popularity: Because this is an iconic regional classic, expect to share the trail with numerous other hikers, trail runners, and backpackers, especially on summer weekends.

• Trail Conditions: The footing is stable and well-cleared for the first few miles, making it a great, straightforward benchmark choice for intermediate hikers looking to log some quality mountain mileage.

• Fishing: FWP and GNIS data listed for Rainbow Trout.