Yellowstone Half Marathon
West Yellowstone, Montana, MT
A wild, high-altitude forest run for adventure-seekers who'd rather earn a medal than chase a personal best.
- When
- June 13, 2026
- Distances
- Half Marathon · 5K
- Surface
- Mixed
- Course
- Out-and-back
- Elevation gain
- 582 ft
- Altitude
- 6,666 ft–6,690 ft
- Weather
- Cool
- Nearest airport
- WYS
- Suggested trip
- 3 nights
Score breakdown
7.5/10Strong. A strong destination race with real appeal.
Also worth knowing (not weighted)
Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| June | 37–62°F | Cool |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
Half Marathon
Out-and-back · Mixed · starts 6:00 AM- Elev gain
- 582 ft
- Elev loss
- 582 ft
- High point
- 6,690 ft
- Low point
- 6,666 ft
- Turnaround at the midpoint; the second half retraces the first
- Aid stations seen twice
Miles 0–1: pavement through West Yellowstone; miles 1–3: mostly forest service dirt roads with a town loop; miles 3–10: dirt roads and rocky paths through Custer Gallatin National Forest; mile 6 features a ~200 ft climb. Course subject to change depending on winter weather impact. Bear spray recommended. 4-hour cutoff (18 min/mile pace).
5K
Unknown · Mixed- Elev gain
- —
- Elev loss
- —
- High point
- —
- Low point
- —
Friday evening race on roads and forest service trails near town. Cup-free event; one aid station near mile 1.5 with water, Gnarly, and bathrooms. Starts and finishes at Old Airport Road lot.
Travel
- Base town
- West Yellowstone
- Nearest airport
- WYS · 5 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Limited
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 3 nights
- Travel complexity
- 6.5/10
West Yellowstone is a small, remote gateway town. The local airport (WYS) has seasonal service; most travelers fly into Jackson Hole (JAC, ~90 min) or Bozeman (BZN, ~90 min) and rent a car. Lodging books fast in June peak season.
Getting around
- Packet pickup — Old Airport Road Expo
Friday June 12, 12:00–5:00 pm; race shirt distributed here
Start/finish lot has ample parking and is walkable from hotels on the south side of town. No camping at the race start; use recreation.gov for nearby campground options including Yellowstone Park/West Gate KOA.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- Trail runners comfortable at altitude
- National park destination racers
- Runners doing the Bison Double or Grand Quad Challenge
- Scenery-first athletes who don't mind rugged footing
- mountain scenery
- trail runners
- park visitors
Avoid if
- You're chasing a half marathon PR
- High altitude (6,666+ ft) is a health concern for you
- You prefer flat, paved road races
- Rocky, technical terrain and possible June snow worry you
- not acclimated to elevation
- prefer road surfaces
First-timer mistakes
Underestimating the altitude — most runners arrive from sea level and feel the thin air hard by mile 4. Also, forgetting your own cup: this is a cup-free race and aid stations will not provide one.
Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
Official KOA partner campground and race event host; walking/short drive to start line.
World-famous geysers, hot springs, and wildlife watching just minutes from the race start; must-do for race-trip companions.
Friday packet pickup expo features Solo Stove campfire s'mores, vendors, and race merchandise — a fun pre-race social.
- Custer Gallatin National Forest Activity
The national forest surrounding the race course; great for hiking, wildlife viewing, and acclimatization runs the day before.
- Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon Food / restaurant
- Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center Activity
- Yellowstone National Park Activity
Park open for sightseeing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
- Yellowstone Historic Center Activity
Runner reports
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Race history
Race-trip notes
West Yellowstone is a small tourist gateway town with limited but walkable lodging near the start. Build in 1–2 days before the race to acclimatize and explore the park; the Friday evening 5K expo is a great arrival-day activity. Bear spray is recommended on course.
About this race
The Yellowstone Half Marathon runs an out-and-back course from Old Airport Road in West Yellowstone, MT, through forest service roads and rocky forest trails. With 582 ft of gain, a punishing mile-6 climb, and thin air at altitude, it is not a PR course — it rewards runners who want scenery, solitude, and a genuine wilderness experience one step from Yellowstone's west entrance.
Last verified June 25, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.