Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
YELLOWSTONE LAKE
The vast Yellowstone Lake just begs for extended kayak, boat and sailboat exploration,
but it is important to plan your outing carefully. Drowning is the leading cause of death in
Yellowstone. Water temperatures are very cold, averaging only 45°F in the summer.
Moreover, sudden winds can quickly churn up 3ft to 5ft waves, capsizing small vessels, so
it's preferable to paddle in the early morning or late afternoon and avoid open-water
crossings. Prevailing winds come from the southwest, so if you're headed south, you'll
need to set off around dawn.
One pleasant easy trip from Grant Village is the 5-mile return paddle to West Thumb
Geyser Basin and Potts Geyser Basin. There's nowhere in the park to rent a kayak so
you'll have to bring your own or rent from Cody, Gardiner or Jackson.
From Grant Village, the closest campsites are at Breeze Bay (8 to 10 miles away), some
of which are for first- and last-night use only. The canoe and kayak put-in at Sedge Bay
(Trailhead 5K4) is the closest point from which to access the lake's southeast arm (21
miles), from which you can hike to the park's remote reaches. The nearest backcountry
sites start 4 miles away.
The lake also has several anchor-only sites, including two at Frank Island
Grant Village Backcountry Ranger Office
( 307-242-2609; 8am-5pm) An excellent resource. It distributes the Backcountry
Trip Planner ( www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountrytripplanner.htm ) describing
Yellowstone Lake campsites in detail, with GPS coordinates, photos and mileage from the
nearest boat put-ins. Some sites have restrictions on docking, hiking etc. You may also
need fishing, boating and backcountry permits (all lake campsites require a backcountry
permit). Grant Village also has a marina nearby.
RANGER OFFICE
Bridge Bay Marina
( 307-242-3880; 8am-8pm mid-Jun-early Sep) Offers dock slip rentals ($17 to $23
per night) and hourly rowboat ($10/45 per hour/day) and outboard ($47 per hour) rentals.
If you want to spend a few days paddling around the remote southern arms of the lake, the
marina operates a boat shuttle ($76 per hour, two-hour minimum) for up to six people and
their kayaks to docks at Eagle Bay (7L6), Wolf Bay (7L5), Plover Point (7M4), Promon-
tory Tip (5L8) or Columbine Creek (5E6) on the east shore of the mouth of the southeast
arm. Arrange it in advance and they'll pick you up again after a few idyllic days of remote
paddling.
MARINA
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