Dunraven Pass

How to Get There

From Gardiner (31 mi): Enter Yellowstone National Park through the North Entrance, travel south past Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower Junction, then continue along the Grand Loop Road to the summit of Dunraven Pass between Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Village.

Overview

The Dunraven Pass is the highest paved mountain pass in Yellowstone National Park, reaching an elevation of approximately 8,859 feet between Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Village. Named after the Earl of Dunraven, an early nineteenth-century visitor to Yellowstone, the pass traverses rugged alpine terrain along the slopes of Mount Washburn. The route provides expansive views of forested valleys, distant mountain ranges, and volcanic landscapes that showcase the immense scale of the Yellowstone Plateau. During summer, wildflowers blanket the high meadows while wildlife such as bighorn sheep, black bears, and elk are occasionally seen along the roadway.

Dunraven Pass also serves as the primary access point for trails leading to Mount Washburn, one of Yellowstone's most popular hiking destinations. From the summit area, visitors can enjoy panoramic vistas extending across much of the park, including glimpses of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and surrounding wilderness. The combination of dramatic scenery, alpine ecosystems, and outstanding recreational opportunities makes Dunraven Pass one of the most memorable drives in Yellowstone and a favorite destination for photographers, hikers, and sightseeing travelers.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Dunraven Pass and Yellowstone National Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.