Mount Holmes

Mount Holmes is a mountain summit in the Gallatin Range section within Yellowstone National Park, reaching 10,336 feet. The peak rises as one of the tallest mountains in this range found within the park boundaries.

The peak was named Mount Holmes in 1878 by the Hayden Survey team, having previously been called Mount Gallatin and Mount Madison. This renaming occurred during the early scientific expeditions that systematically mapped and named features across the park.

A stone and wood fire lookout tower sits on the summit, showing how rangers monitor the park from high vantage points. This structure demonstrates how the park has long relied on elevated positions to spot dangers early.

The hike to reach the summit is a long undertaking requiring about 19 miles round trip with roughly 3,000 feet of elevation gain to complete. Starting from the road connecting Norris and Mammoth Hot Springs, visitors should plan for a full day of walking on this trail.

On clear days the summit offers views that stretch toward Hebgen Lake, Electric Peak, and the Absaroka Range far across the landscape. Visitors with exceptionally clear conditions may also glimpse the Teton Range along the distant horizon.

Location: Wyoming

GPS coordinates: 44.81882,-110.85577

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:04