At around 7,730 feet (2,357 m) above sea level, Yellowstone Lake covers some 136 square miles (350 km²) and has more than 100 miles of shoreline: it is the largest lake above 7,000 feet in North America. It is also cold — the water stays only a few degrees above freezing for much of the year, and the lake usually freezes over from December into late spring.
The lake fills part of the Yellowstone caldera, and its western bay, West Thumb, is itself a smaller volcanic explosion crater. On its shore the West Thumb Geyser Basin has hot springs right at the water’s edge. The north shore holds Lake Village, the grand Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Fishing Bridge and Bridge Bay, where boat tours and rentals start in summer. You can also join a guided kayak tour from Grant Village.
What to see at Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb
West Thumb Geyser Basin
A boardwalk loop of under a mile passes deep blue pools such as Abyss Pool and Black Pool, and features on the lakeshore including Fishing Cone, where early visitors famously cooked fish on the hook. Today fishing there is forbidden. On calm days the steam drifting over the lake with the Absaroka peaks behind is lovely.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel
The oldest hotel in the park still operating, opened in 1891 and later given its Colonial Revival columns. Its sunroom, looking straight over the lake, is a fine place for a coffee or an evening drink even if you are not staying.
Boating, kayaking and fishing
From Bridge Bay Marina, scenic cruises run in summer and boats can be rented. Kayaking is best in the calm early hours; the lake can whip up waves in the afternoon and the cold water makes capsizing dangerous, so a guided trip is a sensible choice for beginners. Fishing requires a Yellowstone fishing permit, and non-native lake trout must be killed if caught.
Fishing Bridge and Lake Butte
Fishing Bridge, where the Yellowstone River leaves the lake, no longer allows fishing but is a good place to watch the river. A few miles east, the Lake Butte Overlook spur road gives a wide view over the lake.
Getting to Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb
- West Thumb: at West Thumb Junction, about 17 miles (27 km) from Old Faithful and 22 miles (35 km) from the South Entrance.
- Lake Village: about 21 miles (34 km) north-east of West Thumb along the shore, and 16 miles (26 km) south of Canyon.
- From the East Entrance: about 27 miles (43 km) to Fishing Bridge over Sylvan Pass.
Tips before you go
- Do not swim: the water is far too cold for safe swimming, and hypothermia sets in quickly.
- The lake is a fine sunrise and sunset spot; the road along the north shore has several pull-outs.
- Watch for bison and elk on the lakeshore meadows around Fishing Bridge.
- West Thumb is a natural break on the drive between Old Faithful and Grand Teton.
Tours that visit Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb
These guided trips include Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb or pair well with it:
Guided kayak tour from €127 Grant Village: Yellowstone Lake Guided Kayak Tour with Lunch
Paddle the shore of Yellowstone Lake near the West Thumb Geyser Basin with a naturalist who explains the supervolcano beneath you. The lake is cold, so going with a guide and proper equipment is the safe way to do it.
- Paddle along the West Thumb shoreline
- Local naturalist guide
- Lunch included
Full-day guided tour from €279 Full-Day Yellowstone National Park Tour from Cody, WY
From Cody the road into the park climbs over Sylvan Pass and along Yellowstone Lake. This tour covers the historic Fishing Bridge, the bubbling Mud Volcano, Hayden Valley, Artist Point and Old Faithful in one day — a lot of ground, which is exactly why it helps to let someone else drive.
- Fishing Bridge and Mud Volcano
- Hayden Valley and Artist Point
- Old Faithful
Full-day guided tour from €325 From Jackson: Yellowstone National Park Day Trip with Lunch
A long but complete day from Jackson around Yellowstone’s lower loop: the Old Faithful area, Midway Geyser Basin with Grand Prismatic Spring, Fountain Paint Pot, the canyon and Hayden Valley. The drive through Grand Teton on the way is a bonus. Expect an early start and a late return.
- Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin and Fountain Paint Pot
- Canyon area and Hayden Valley
- Lunch included
Private tour from €425 Wonders of Yellowstone: Private Lower Loop Tour with Lunch
A private version of the classic lower loop from West Yellowstone, taking in Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake, with lunch. Few reviews so far, but well rated.
- Old Faithful
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Yellowstone Lake
