Grant Village is located on the southwestern shore of beautiful Yellowstone Lake. Grant Village is all about the LOCATION just 22-miles from the southern entrance. The perfect site to take a day trip to other areas within the park or Grand Teton. Location, location, location that is the appeal of Grant Village!
They named the development in honor of residing president Ulysses S Grant when Yellowstone National Park was founded in 1872. The development area was constructed in the 1970s with completion by 1982. Grant Village Development combines a marina, hotel, general store, restaurants, post office, and service station.
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Table of Contents
History of Grant Village: Preserving the Past in Yellowstone
The proximity to the West Thumb was the main reason for the construction of the village. The West Thumb geyser basin is a popular destination in the summer. In the early 1900s, visitors to the basin took a picnic lunch in a nearby tent before embarking across the lake on the ferry to the Yellowstone Lake Hotel. In an effort to protect the thermal areas and with the demise of the ferry, tourists needed access to facilities on the southern edge of the lake and in the 1960s construction began ending in the late 1970s. The construction was not without controversy built-in prime grizzly territory. As a result, they altered the facilities from the original plans which envisioned a much larger complex. Still, Grant Village is centrally in the park’s heart, is an idyllic setting.
Grant Village Visitor Center: Get the Most Up-to-date Information
I always suggest starting at the Visitor Center whenever we visit a national park. Open late May -September from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily, the Visitor Center Complex features educational exhibits covering the 1988 wildfire.
Fire plays a critical role in maintaining forest habits and ecosystems. Although fire has naturally occurred, the fires in 1988 were particularly devastating for the park, not just to structures but wildlife too. The destructive fire was the combination of drought and winds, allowing smaller fires to combine into one massive fire. Historically, it is the largest wildfire on record in Yellowstone National Park. Be sure to watch the short orientation film, “Ten Years after the Fire” on the aftermath of the wildfires and the long-term impacts. It was a real eye-opener for us. Although Yellowstone has started the recovery process and new growth can be seen in many areas of Grant Village, it will take decades for the forest to recover.
Jr. Ranger guidebooks for kids, an information desk where you can get backcountry permits, or a Yellowstone fishing license or ask the rangers general park questions. Last but not least, get your park passport stamp before leaving. Additionally, the large gift store has a Yellowstone Association Bookstore with a great selection of guidebooks. The restrooms are plentiful and clean.
Yellowstone Lake: The Majestic Main Feature of Grant Village
Above all, the lakeside setting is the best thing about Grant Village, so take time to stroll along the pine-fringed shoreline at sunset while you’re there. Drop into the amphitheater. Each night at 9:30 pm Rangers have a campfire talk. The campfire programs here are fantastic. The evenings are colder be sure to bring a blanket and mosquito spray in the warmer summer months.
Additional Amenities: Enhancing Your Stay at Grant Village in Yellowstone
- Grant Village General Store – nice selection of ready-made deli meals, Yellowstone themed apparel, fresh produce, groceries, camping supplies, and footwear. Soda fountain with diner seating-grab an ice cream treat!
- Grant Village Mini Store – next to the gas station there are travel items available for the traveler on the go.
- Post Office – mail that postcard here
- Gas Service Station – remember you are paying for the convenience, so don’t expect city prices.
- Picnic Area – We stopped at the picnic area near the campground. There are plenty of tables in this wooded area; it was very nicely shaded, lots of chipmunks, plenty of peace and quiet. Great place for lunch!
- Marina – boat launch area and tours (boats are inspected before launching.
What Other Activities Can We Do in Grant Village? Exploring Yellowstone’s Diverse Offerings
In Grant Village, you’ll find an array of activities to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park. Beyond its serene setting on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, this area offers hiking trails that lead to breathtaking vistas and opportunities for wildlife encounters. Don’t miss out on ranger-led programs and educational talks, which provide valuable insights into the park’s geology, history, and wildlife conservation efforts. For those with an adventurous spirit, consider exploring Yellowstone Lake by kayak, or simply cast a line and enjoy some peaceful fishing.
Visit the Geysers of the West Thumb Basin: A Geothermal Wonderland in Yellowstone
Explore the hot springs, mud pots, and geysers of the West Thumb Geyser Basin. The location of the geysers against the backdrop of Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountains adds to the overall beauty. In fact, some formations that can be seen here are actually in the lake!! The views here are mesmerizing! The boardwalk weaves through the basin in a figure-eight pattern. You could easily spend a few hours here hiking and watching the wildlife. Elk seems to love this spot. There are a few hikes that originate at the West Thumb that are worthwhile doing if you have the time.
Try One of the Local Hiking Trails: Discovering Nature’s Beauty in Yellowstone
Dogshead Trail to Shoshone Lake lies just north of Lewis Lake. It is a relatively easy hike through the forest. Shoshone Lake is the second largest lake in Yellowstone, yet it is only accessible by hiking (no road) or kayaking from Lewis Lake. Shoshone Lake is 5.8 miles RT. In my experience, it takes 2-3 hours to complete. You can do the trail as an out/back or consider doing the loop via the Lewis Channel Trail. The trailhead starts from 5-miles south of Grant Village.
Riddle Lake resides in a bear management area, so bring bear spray. Check the ranger station in Grant Village to ensure the trail is accessible before venturing out. This is an easy 4.8-mile trail that will take 2-3 hours out & back. The level trail traverses green forest, mountain meadows, and marsh, a great place to see moose. The lake is home to migratory waterfowl such as osprey, bald eagles, white pelicans, and the occasional trumpeter swan. The lake is full of lily pads, but if you continue down the trail, you will find a small sand beach. This trail is a hidden gem! The trailhead is 2.3 miles south on South Entrance Road.
Kayak Adventures on Yellowstone Lake: Paddling through Nature’s Majesty
They often refer to Yellowstone Lake as the “jewel” of Yellowstone National Park. This trip meets at the Grant Village Marina (reservations required). You can launch your own boat at the marina or rent a boat. All boats in Yellowstone Park require a permit, which can be obtained at the park’s marinas and ranger stations for a nominal fee. Those that prefer guided boat tours and fishing trips are also available. Inquiries should be made at the visitor center.
The day begins with a safety orientation and paddling instruction before entering the two-person kayaks. Kayak adventures are our naturalist guide today. As we paddle, we learned about Yellowstone Lake, its surrounding wildlife, and the geological history that shaped the lake and its ecosystems. Gliding, we hugged the shore along the West Thumb and Potts geyser basins. The water was smooth this morning, making paddling effortless. You get exceptional views of the underwater geysers closer to the West Thumb. The most famous feature here is the Fishing Cone, which actually sits in the lake. Here, early visitors would catch a fish out of the lake and cook it by placing it, while still on the line, into the thermal feature. Today, the geyser is relatively inactive, although it is still impressive.
Geysers, Wildlife, and More! Exploring the Marvels of Grant Village
We pulled up on a quiet beach and our guide laid out the lunches. Delicious lunch with a sandwich, bottled water, apple, bag of chips, and cookies. Walking along the beach, we saw many animal tracks. Indeed, during our paddle, we saw eagles, osprey, otters, elk, deer, and even moose.
Your feet will get wet as you get in and out of the kayaks. Therefore, wearing shoes that you don’t mind getting wet such as water shoes or sandals is best. For this early June trip, we wore neoprene socks that kept our feet warm. Additional layers, like long underwear, fleece, and rain gear, can be added and subtracted depending on the weather and temperature. Bring a dry bag to keep your lunch and electronics safe. Not to mention, polarized sunglasses are a must when the sun is shining.
Accommodations at Grant Village: Your Comfortable Haven in Yellowstone
I would definitely recommend staying inside the park boundaries. In all honesty, getting access to the park early is the best benefit for us. We also like that we get an earlier start seeing wildlife and not having to drive as much.
Grant Village Campground: Make it Your Basecamp in Yellowstone
The campground is very large, with over 400 sites. None of the sites have electricity, water, or sewage hookups. Each campsite receives 2 showers per day, a shared bear box, a grill over a fire pit, a picnic table access to flushable toilets, and a dishwashing station. The park brochure shows sites here accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length. Although, I consider that a tight squeeze from what we could see the sites are very narrow. Mostly forested, the sites were very close together. Many of the amenities are close. You can hike to the main complex, however, driving is preferable. The showers are actually located just outside the campground in a standalone building which also has laundry facilities.
Grant Village Lodge: Your Serene Retreat in the Heart of Yellowstone
So, as opposed to cabins in the woods like you see at the Roosevelt Lodge property, at Grant Village, you’ll be staying in college dorm-style accommodations. The lodging complex is made up of 6 two-story buildings, with 50 rooms in each building that were renovated in 2015. It is all a matter of perspective. If you want luxury lodging, you will not find it in the parks. It is important to remember, cell service is limited throughout the park. This was not an issue for us since we like being able to disconnect for a while. Every morning we enjoyed our walk along the lakeshore, seeing mule deer and otters. In my view, this is the best part of staying in the parks. Yes you can still find solitude in Yellowstone away from the crowds.
Dining Options at Grant Village: Savoring Yellowstone’s Culinary Delights
There are two options for dining in the village: the Lake House and Grant Village Dining Room.
The popular Lake House is within walking distance of the lodge. Nestled on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, the views are magnificent in the early morning. For most visitors, the appeal is the views, Needless to say, if you have a good appetite for excellent dinner fare you will really like the food here.! We loved looking over the lake while eating breakfast.
The Grant Village Dining Room is another alternative. Reservations are recommended, especially in the summer months. The dining area is really big with a good view of the water. They have good wine and craft beer selection. We always try to buy local wines and craft beers. Of course, the food is tasty here too although more expensive than the Lake House.
Navigating to Grant Village: Where Your Yellowstone Adventure Begins
From Jackson (South): Take Highway 89 north to the South Gate of Yellowstone National Park. At 19 miles north of the South Gate, turn right onto the Grant Village Road.
From Cody take the North Fork Highway to the East Entrance. At the Fishing Bridge Junction, turn left onto the Grand Loop Road to the West Thumb Junction. Turn left again. Turn left, taking the road to Grant Village.
From Mammoth-Follow the Grand Loop Road south 115 miles, turn left Grant Village Road.
Mileage and Driving Times to Grant Village
- From Jackson, WY 2.5 hours 77-miles
- From Old Faithful 1 hour 20-miles
- Mammoth Hot Springs 1.5 hour 49-miles
- West Park Entrance 1.25 hour 48-miles
- From East Park Entrance 1.25 hours 52-miles
- From Salt Lake City, UT 6.5 hours 370-miles
- Idaho Falls, ID 3 hours 156-miles
- Bozeman, MT 2.25 hours 110-miles
Final Thoughts on Location Spotlight: The Beauty of Grant Village in Yellowstone
Yellowstone National park in Wyoming is magnificent. Grant Village is VERY convenient to West Thumb, Old Faithful, any of the activities around the Lake, and the spectacular Grand Teton National Park south of Yellowstone. Ideally, staying in Grant Village gives you the best proximity without the congestion you experience at Old Faithful or Canyon Village. If you are looking for peace and quiet, you have found the right place!
Have you been to Grant Village? Share what you liked best? We would love to hear from you! Please comment below.
