Epic Adventure Abounds at Beautiful Yellowstone Lake

Update April 28, 2023

Adventure abounds at Yellowstone Lake, where the turquoise water blends with the sky on the horizon. Yellowstone Lake, a huge natural lake at 7,733 feet elevation. This is the largest high elevation lake in North America. It is over 400 feet deep with 141 miles of shoreline. Temperatures are too cold for swimming, even in the summer months. We noticed that this area of the park seems to be quieter than other sections of Yellowstone, such as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

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The Historic Fishing Bridge In Yellowstone National Park

They originally built the Fishing Bridge in 1902 as a way for visitors to cross the Yellowstone River and access prime fishing areas in the park. Anglers gather in droves to catch the cutthroat trout that spawn in the shallow waters of the Yellowstone River each spring. The bridge quickly became a popular spot for anglers, and a wider and more modern bridge in the 1930s later replaced it. The bridge was eventually closed to fishing in 1963 when the population of native cutthroat trout significantly declined. Today, this bridge comprises a 24-foot roadway with the two 5-foot sidewalks and an overall width of 42 feet, supported with wooden pilings. Today, the Fishing Bridge area is home to a campground, general store, and visitor center.

The Yellowstone River flows out of Yellowstone Lake as it makes its way towards the Missouri River. The river provides prime habitat for the wild cutthroat trout that call this river home. Walk the shoreline looking for trout in the clear waters, occasionally glimpsing otter, trumpeter swans, and beaver.

Fishing Bridge RV Park

There are several campgrounds near Yellowstone Lake, including Bridge Bay Campground, Grant Village Campground, and Fishing Bridge RV Park. These campgrounds offer a range of amenities for visitors, including fire pits, picnic tables, and nearby restroom facilities.

Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground in Yellowstone National Park with full hookups for RVs, including electrical and water hookups, dump stations, and nearby restrooms and showers. Fishing Bridge RV Park is one of the few campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park that can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. The park is an ideal location near the center of Yellowstone National Park, making it a convenient base for exploring the park’s many attractions. The Fishing Bridge RV Park only allows RVs because of high bear activity. The sites are in a wooded area, although close together. Walking distance to the Fishing Bridge Visitor Information Center and amphitheater. NO picnic tables-NO campfires. They do allow pets on a leash.

Reservations: Due to its popularity and limited availability, reservations are highly recommended for Fishing Bridge RV Park. Reservations can be made online or by phone up to six months in advance.

Fishing Bridge General Store

We stopped in at the general store build in 1931. The store opens early, 7:30 AM-9:30 PM. The store sells mostly souvenirs such as clothing, gifts, jewelry, and artwork. Visitors can stock up on food and supplies for their camping or RV trip, or purchase souvenirs to commemorate their visit to the park. This store seems to offer a wider selection of gifts and souvenirs than other locations in the park. They have a beautiful selection of Pendleton blankets for sale. There is a grocery section for food supplies. The centerpiece is the enormous stone fireplace where rocking chairs offer a reprieve from the chilly morning.

The store is open daily during summer, typically from mid-May to mid-September. Located at the back of the store is a small dining area. The diner is a rather nostalgic soda fountain with bar stools. It is a great stop for breakfast, not to mention the french toast was delicious! They have a lunch menu that serves mostly sandwiches.

It is a source for free freshwater refills, so bring your refillable water bottle. The store also has an espresso-coffee bar and an ice cream parlor. Next door is a camping supply store attached to a service garage with fuel for your car and propane for your RV.

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center-Trailside Museum

The Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Amphitheater are located one mile east of the Grand Loop Road. The rustic building is a log frame construction with stone accents. They completed the Visitor Center in 1931- designed by Herbert Maier. The center is considered a “Trailside Museum” listed as a National Landmark. As you approach the building entrance, the lake appears to be framed by the open area in the center. You can see directly through to the lake. There are a few exhibits that display a regional collection of taxidermy birds. Visitors can learn about the park’s geology, wildlife, plants, and other natural features through interactive displays, dioramas, and other exhibits. A range of educational programs and activities for visitors include ranger-guided walks, talks, and other events that provide insight into the park’s unique ecology.

The center is open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily from mid-May to mid-September. Trails lead to the beach and Amphitheater. The open-air amphitheater features ranger-led presentations nightly. The museum helped us deepen their understanding and appreciation of the park’s extraordinary natural wonders.

We walked along the beach in the morning, seeing animal tracks in the sand. It was so peaceful and quiet on the sandy beach. There is a chill in the morning air wear a hooded fleece to stay warm. We only saw a few walkers, one had seen a wolf. Unfortunately, we did not see any animals as we continued along the trail through the forest.

Recommended Hiking Trails

There are a diverse number of trails that begin close to the Fishing Bridge area. These hiking trails offer a range of experiences for all skill levels. Most lead to scenic vistas to wildlife viewing and more. They are all convenient options for visitors staying in the area.

We recommend having waterproof hiking shoes to traverse the trails with a quality trekking stick. Bring a refillable water bottle with plenty of water to quench your thirst. Here are some recommended hiking trails in the Fishing Bridge area.

• Pelican Creek – The trail is about a mile east of Fishing Bridge Visitor Center. It’s an easy, short 0.6 miles through woods and takes you to a sandy beach with magnificent views of the lake.
• Storm Point – easy, flat trail through the meadow takes you out along the Lake. It is a 2.3-mile round-trip. The parking area is by the sign of the Indian Pond. TIP: Look for the marmot colony.
• Natural Bridge – Easy hike near Bridge Bay Marina and Campground. This 2.5-mile round-trip trail follows a service road. You can hike to the top of the Natural Bridge if desired.
• Pelican Valley – This trail has restrictions: read the signs at the trailhead. The trail is relatively easy 6.2-mile out and back. The trail is straight across from the Indian Pond pullout.
• One of our favorite trails was the Elephant Back Mountain Trail. This is a moderate 3.5-mile trail that climbs to the summit of Elephant Back Mountain, offering scenic views of Yellowstone Lake and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. The trailhead is near the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center.

NOTE: Always be bear aware-attacks can happen. Carry bear spray. 

Scenic Bridge Bay Marina Area

The Bridge Bay Marina is a good place to stop and stretch your legs. The location includes a small marine store, campground, guided fishing, and scenic boat tour booking is available. We loved exploring the lake and its surrounding wilderness, taking in the lovely views and different natural features of the area. There is a dockside store that sells snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Restrooms and a picnic area are all located nearby.

We began by wandering along the boardwalk, watching the boats come and go. Today, stopping to purchase and enjoy hot cocoa to warm up on a chilly morning. While sitting at a picnic table, a Steller’s Jay and tree swallows catching insects over the water entertained us.

Boating on the Lake

Bridge Bay Marina rents a variety of boats, including motorboats, rowboats, and canoes. Rentals are available by the hour or by the day, and you can explore the lake at their own pace. Visitors can bring their own powerboats, sailboats, canoes, and kayaks on the lake with a Yellowstone Boating Permit. Permits for marine craft are available and need to have a thorough inspection to prevent the introduction of invasive species to the lake. Boat rentals are also available here.

Yellowstone Lake offers wonderful photo opportunities. Book a scenic boat tour at the Bridge Bay Marina. It’s a great way to learn about the lake while in the comfort of the Lake Queen. The tours feature ranger guides who detail the history and can point out the park’s natural features and wildlife..

Experience the Natural Bridge Hiking Trail

The Natural Bridge Trail is a 1.6-mile out-and-back trail (3.2-miles RT). We considered this to be an easy hike, suitable for hikers at all skill levels. It has minimal elevation gain and is well-maintained. The trailhead is near the Bridge Bay Marina parking lot close to the campground entrance road. The natural bridge is a 51 foot cliff of rhyolite rock cut through by Bridge Creek. For the first 0.7 miles, the trail winds through the forest. For 0.4 miles, it continues west on a service road until it reaches the Natural Bridge. The short but steep switchback trail to the top of the bridge begins in front of the interpretive display. It took us 1-2 hours to complete stopping often to take pictures.

Fishing Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, and Bridge Bay Marina offers guided fishing trips for visitors who want to try their luck. Visitors can catch a variety of fish in the lake, including cutthroat trout, lake trout, and brook trout. Guided fishing trips require a Yellowstone fishing license. You can buy licenses at any general store or at the marina. Use barbless hooks, so actually getting one to the boat/shore can be difficult. However, that’s what makes catching a challenge!

Lake trout, an invasive species, somehow were introduced to the lake 25 years ago. Lake trout have decimated the native cutthroat population. Although they are actively netting and killing the lake trout, it will take a long time to bring the cutthroat trout back to its prior levels. Therefore, all Lake trout must be killed and removed from the lake when caught. You should immediately release any cutthroat. 

Bridge Bay Marina Campground

The Bridge Bay Marina campground is located on the north shore of Yellowstone Lake, near the Bridge Bay Marina and Visitor Center. There are over 400 campsites, including sites for tents, RVs, and trailers (no hookups). The campground also has modern restroom facilities with flush toilets, running water, and showers. There is also a picnic area, a general store, and laundry facilities nearby.

The campground is open from late May to early September. Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides reservations for this campground. Reservations can be made online or by phone up to six months in advance. The campground offers shady wooded or open meadow sites. It is important to practice proper food storage and wildlife safety measures while camping in the area.

Drive the Scenic Gull Point

Gull Point Drive is a spur road off the Grand Loop. The drive is a one-way, 2.8-mile route that ends at Gull Point, a popular spot for picnicking and fishing. We stopped at several pullouts and scenic overlooks to take in the views and snap photos. The terrain is mixed forest of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir trees, providing opportunities for wildlife viewing. The highlight of Gull Point Drive is the Lake Butte Overlook. Here there are panoramic views of the lake and the surrounding landscape. From this vantage point, visitors can see as far as the Absaroka Range to the east and the Teton Range to the south.

It’s a beautiful drive to Gull Point. This was where we stopped and parked in the picnic area for a light lunch. The picnic area has 21 tables spread over a large area, with a few toilets.

We walked the short distance to the exposed sandbar. Spectacular views of the Yellowstone Hotel and Stevenson Island. Many of the mountains that surround the tree-lined lake reach 10,000 feet. The views are very awe-inspiring. We took some time to fish the shoreline. A ranger checked our licenses, and we chatted, saying we had a few fish following the lure, however no takers. Many birds call the lake home in the summer months. GoldenEye Ducks and White Pelicans frequent the lake.

Best Places to Dining at Yellowstone Lake

The historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room features magnificent views of the lake and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu features classic American cuisine with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. I highly recommend dinner reservations. The ambiance was simply amazing, such a great experience. The room showcases white table cloth tables well spaced on hardwood floors with panoramic views of the lake. We had first class service from the very start. The menu has many local choices. Barry had the Bison Tenderloin served with a cremini mushroom and sage sauce, mashed potatoes and baby carrots. I had the Quail with wild rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables-cranberry compote. Both meals were beautifully plated and very delicious. We shared a Sticky Toffee Cake dessert. There was no doubt that this dinner was an unforgettable experience.

After dinner, we sat in the lounge to listen to the string quartet before heading back to our cabin for the evening. We highly recommend leaving some time for a drink in the lobby bar. Enjoying the comfortable chairs looking out at a breathtaking view of the lake. We tried a cocktail-Huckleberry Sunset as we listened to the piano player. The view of Lake Yellowstone from the windows of the lodge is astonishing.

Additional Dining Options

• Lake Lodge Cafeteria – Traditional cafeteria-style restaurant, the food choices are expansive but premade. A suitable alternative if you do not have reservations for the dining room. The front porch rocking chairs offer a splendid view of the lake. Relaxing atmosphere for enjoying your meal. BONUS-If you catch lake trout on a fishing excursion, the chef here will cook it for you!
• Lake Lodge Deli – Offers a limited selection of fresh-made sandwiches, drinks, and Starbucks coffee. Good for a quick bite or grab-n-go, prices are reasonable. BONUS it opens early!
• Lake Yellowstone General Store – carries souvenirs, groceries, small made to order food, ice cream, beer, wine, and other beverages. The huckleberry ice cream was very good!

Best Places to Stay at Yellowstone Lake

There are several lodging options available at Yellowstone Lake, ranging from historic hotels to rustic cabins and campgrounds. Visitors should book well in advance, especially during the summer months when lodging can fill up quickly.

Lodging at Yellowstone Lake Hotel & Cabins

Staying in the Lake area gives you easy access to the Hayden Valley and the West Thumb areas. Yellowstone Hotel, built in 1891, is the oldest historic lodge in Yellowstone. This hotel is in the National Historic Registry. The rooms at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel are among the most expensive in the park. Let’s be honest, you are paying for the location when you stay here. The main hotel and the public rooms are beautiful.

Travel TIP: We made all our reservations in the park a year in advance. Please note that we changed our advance booking window, beginning with Summer 2023 stays. Learn More.

They designed the cabins to blend in with the natural surroundings and offer a cozy, rustic feel. They are heated but do not have air conditioning, as temperatures in the summer months are mild. Some cabins also have a fireplace, adding to the cozy atmosphere. Guests staying at the Cabins at Lake Yellowstone Hotel have access to all the amenities and services offered at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel.

The Cabins at Lake Yellowstone Hotel offer two double beds along with a bathroom with a shower. The cabin has no refrigerator but came with a coffeemaker and Tazo Tea. The cabins are behind the hotel next to the parking lot with no view of the lake. They are older but have a nice, comfy feeling to them. Since it was June, the evenings were quite cool; we used the heater to keep the room toasty. If you stay here to keep your expectations realistic. NO Wi-Fi and No TV.

Additional Lodging Options at Yellowstone Lake

Sandpiper Lodge (formerly the annex) is a newer detached motel-style building behind the Lake hotel. It is slightly cheaper to stay here yet still gain access to the property amenities. The rooms include a bathroom, tub with shower, refrigerator, and coffeemaker.

The Lake Lodge Cabins were the first in Yellowstone built in 1893. The cabins are well over 100 years old. The lodge is a friendly place to sit and relax on the large front porch. The rockers on the front porch overlooking Yellowstone Lake offer a grand view to watch the sunset. Yellowstone Park Rangers offer free ranger programs at night.

Planning Resources

• Lodging options available within Yellowstone National Park–visit this website to see the options available in the Park. Remember to book at least a year in advance.
• Rent an RV–this is a great way to experience the park.
• Campground information is available through the official Park website
• Map of Yellowstone National Park–a great resource to plan your trip and understand the distances you need to travel.
• Yellowstone National Park Official Site–Plan your visit, get updates on road conditions and general information.
• Free Yellowstone National Park Planner–free trip planning guide, a digital version is available.
• Dining Options in Yellowstone-Looking for places to get a good meal. Visit the website to see what options are available. There are 52 picnic areas throughout the park.
• Download the Yellowstone GyPSy Guide Tour App before you leave town or use the official NPS Yellowstone App features live updates to the status of lodges, campgrounds, roads, and geyser predictions when in cell service. On the App Store and on Google Play.

Final Thoughts on our Epic Adventures at Beautiful Yellowstone Lake

We loved every minute of our journey. From the iconic Fishing Bridge to the scenic Gull Point Drive, there were plenty of attractions and activities to keep us entertained. The area’s historic lodges and cabins offer a range of accommodations, allows visitors to choose the option that best suits their preferences and budget. The cabins were perfect for us. It’s no wonder that Yellowstone Lake is one of the most popular destinations in the park. Yellowstone Lake is truly a gem of the national park system.

Have you visited Yellowstone Lake? Did you enjoy your trip? Let us know in the comments below!