Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.yellowstone.ws
)
One of several professional outfitters licensed to run day rides
($165) and multiday pack trips in the park. See the Around Yellowstone chapter for more
operators.
Boating
See
Click here
f
or details on backcountry permits, which are required for all overnight
boating trips in the park.
Boating is permitted May 1 to November 1, although some areas may close during the
season. Motorized vessels are allowed only on Lewis Lake and parts of Yellowstone Lake.
Sylvan, Eleanor and Twin Lakes, plus Beach Springs Lagoon, are closed to all boating, as
are all park streams and the Yellowstone River, except on the Lewis River between Lewis
and Shoshone Lakes, where hand-propelled vessels are allowed. Launching is permitted
only at Bridge Bay, Grant Village (open mid-June) and Lewis Lake. Hand-carried vessels
may launch at Sedge Bay. Study the
Boating Regulations
pamphlet before embarking.
A boating permit is required for all vessels, including float tubes. Permits for motorized
vessels cost $10 per week or $20 per year and are available from Bridge Bay Ranger Sta-
tion, Grant Village Backcountry office and the South Entrance. Permits for nonmotorized
vessels cost $5 per week or $10 per year and are available from the same offices, as well
as the West Entrance, Northeast Entrance, West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce,
Bechler Ranger Station and backcountry offices at Old Faithful, Canyon and Mammoth.
Permits from Grant Teton National Park are honored but you need to get a free Yellow-
stone validation sticker.
The speed limit on Yellowstone Lake is 45mph. The limit on the south arms is 5mph,
while the southernmost inlets are closed to motorboats. Landing is not allowed on the
thermally affected shore between Little Thumb Creek and the south end of the West
Thumb thermal area.
Certain shorelines are off-limits due to wildlife protection. Frank Island and the south
end of Stevenson Island are closed from May 15 to August 15 to protect nesting ospreys
and bald eagles. A 0.5-mile closure around Molly Island protects around 2000 breeding
pelican who summer here between April and September. The south and east shorelines are
off-limits May 15 to July 14 to prevent bear disturbance.
Unlike Grand Teton, waterskiing and jet skis are prohibited in Yellowstone. Personal
flotation devices (PFDs) are required for all craft.
Boating regulations pamphlets are available at all visitor centers. General boating in-
formation is at www.nps.gov/yell/plan your visit/boating.htm.
