West Thumb Area Day Hikes
The day hikes around the West Thumb area of Yellowstone are easy to moderate. Pick the best one for you, like Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail or Duck Lake Trail.
- West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail is a 1/2 mile hike along a boardwalk that meanders above a number of hot springs.
- Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail is a moderate 2 mile hike that leads to a stunning overlook.
- Duck Lake Trail is a moderate 1 mile hike through a fire struck wilderness to a lookout point.
West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail
Stroll through a geyser basin of colorful hot springs and dormant lakeshore geysers situated on the scenic shores of Yellowstone Lake. Trails and boardwalks are handicapped accessible with assistance.
Trailhead: West Thumb Geyser Basin, 1/4 mile east of West Thumb Junction
Distance: 3/8 mile (1 km) roundtrip
Level of Difficulty: Easy; boardwalk trail with slight grade as trail descends to and climbs up from the lake shore
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Hike to a high mountain meadow for a commanding view of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountains.
Trailhead: Trailhead sign at entrance to West Thumb Geyser Basin parking area
Distance: 2 miles (3 km) roundtrip
Level of Difficulty: Moderate; mostly level terrain with a moderately strenuous 400-foot elevation gain near the overlook.
Shoshone Lake Trail (via DeLacy Creek)
Hike along a forest's edge and through open meadows to the shores of Yellowstone's largest backcountry lake. Look for wildlife in meadows.
Trailhead: Trailhead sign at DeLacy Creek, 8.8 miles west of West Thumb Junction
Distance: 6 miles (10 km) roundtrip
Level of Difficulty: Moderate; flat trail with no steep grades
Riddle Lake Trail
Crossing the Continental Divide, hike through small mountain meadows and forests to the shores of a picturesque little lake. Look for moose in the marshy meadows and for birds near the lake. Bear Management Area--trail opens July 15.
Trailhead: Approximately 3 miles south of the Grant Village intersection, immediately south of the Continental Divide sign
Distance: 5 miles (8 km) roundtrip
Level of Difficulty: Moderate; level walking
Lewis River Channel/Shoshone Lake Loop Trail
Get a feel for Yellowstone's backcountry...hike through a forested area to the colorful waters of the Lewis River Channel. Look for eagles and osprey fishing for trout in the shallow waters. For an all-day hike, follow the channel to Shoshone Lake and return via the forested Dogshead Trail.
Trailhead: Approximately 5 miles south of Grant Village intersection, just north of Lewis Lake on west side of the road
Roundtrip Distance: To channel outlet--7 miles (11 km) roundtrip; Loop--11 miles (17.5) roundtrip
Level of Difficulty: Moderate; mostly level, some rolling terrain
Duck Lake Trail
Climb a small hill for a view of Duck and Yellowstone lakes and explore the effects of the 1988 fires that swept through this area. Trail descends to lakeshore.
Trailhead: Trail begins in West Thumb Geyser Basin parking area, across the lot from Lake Overlook trailhead.
Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) roundtrip
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
