West thumb, grant village, shoshone lake and south entrance Area
shoshone lake via delacy creeK
Stroll along popular DeLacy Creek on a moderate 6-mile (9.7 km) out-and-back ramble to 8,050-acre (3,258 hectare) Shoshone Lake, the largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone. DeLacy Creek’s conveniently direct route to the lake often draws lots of midday foot traffic. Negotiate the crowds to earn a sweet peek into Yellowstone’s sweeping backcountry...
west thumb geyser basin
Drift along the steamy shores of Yellowstone Lake on two very easy boardwalk and paved trail loops, past vibrant hot springs, seething mudpots, and churning sinter cones. The fully accessible inner loop is a quarter mile (.4 km) long and explores diverse hydrothermal attractions. The outer loop is a half mile (.8 km) long, has steeper grades, and travels among the lake-submerged cones and deep hot springs of this distinctive geyser basin...
duck lake
Waddle over fallen trees on a short, moderately difficult one-mile (1.6 km) out-and-back hike to Duck Lake. Along the way, explore an ecosystem bouncing back from massive wildfires, and see the aftereffects of a 10,000-year-old hydrothermal explosion on a peaceful landscape once rocked by violent forces...
lake overlook
A very difficult 2-mile (3.2 km) loop hike chucks intrepid hikers hundreds of feet up a lakeside hill to a prominent overlook of massive Yellowstone Lake and the snowy caps of the Absaroka Mountain Range...
riddle lake
Decipher a natural mystery on this moderately easy 5-mile (8.1 km) out-and-back stroll through shady forests and serene meadows to peaceful Riddle Lake. Nestled below stunning Mount Sheridan, the sublime shores of Riddle Lake make a wonderful picnic spot...
lewis river channel - dogshead loop
The Lewis River Channel - Dogshead Loop is a difficult scenic 7- to 11-mile (11.3 to 17.7 km) hike through Yellowstone’s backcountry along the radiant Lewis River Channel and up to Shoshone Lake, the largest backcountry lake in the continental United States. Lakeside campsites on Shoshone Lake are perfect for backpackers looking to add an overnighter to the adventure...
heart lake
Feel the wild beating heart of Yellowstone backcountry on this popular, but peaceful, difficult 15-mile (24.1 km) out-and-back hike through big game heaven to pristine Heart Lake Geyser Basin and the vast trout-flush waters of magnificent Heart Lake. A gateway to Mount Sheridan and Yellowstone’s tremendous outback, Heart Lake and its breathtaking backcountry campsites make an excellent overnighter for fishermen, mountain climbers, and enthusiastic explorers. A shorter 9-mile (14.5 km) hike crosses an incredible landscape to an awesome Heart Lake overlook...
