Bears Ears Trail landscape

Photo by Ganapathy Kumar on Unsplash

Bears Ears Trail

~3 days · 27.8 mi · moderate · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance27.8 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain4,157 ft
Gain / mile150 ft
High point11,178 ft
Difficulty index17/100

What the Bears Ears Trail is known for

Bears Ears Trail is a 2-3-day backpacking route in Wyoming (Wind River Range, Dickinson Park).

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Bears Ears Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 29,911 ft to 36,480 ft over 27.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 14.5 mi · 52%
  • Downhill 9.7 mi · 35%
  • Flat 3.6 mi · 13%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the Bears Ears Trail?

17 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Bears Ears Trail scores 17/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Bears Ears Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the Bears Ears Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 27.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Bears Ears Trail?

The Bears Ears Trail climbs roughly 4,157 ft total — about 150 ft per mile, topping out near 11,178 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

Plan the Bears Ears Trail Plan Free →