Yellowstone Lake
The largest body of water in the park, it covers 136 square miles with 110 miles of shoreline.
Plan Around Yellowstone Lake
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Yellowstone Lake Details
Yellowstone Lake is the largest body of water in Yellowstone National Park. The lake is 7,732 feet above sea level and covers 136 square miles with 110 miles of shoreline. While the average depth of the lake is 139 feet its deepest spot is at least 390 feet. Yellowstone Lake is the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 feet in North America. In winter, ice nearly three feet thick covers much of the lake, except where shallow water covers hot springs. The lake freezes over by early December and can remain frozen until late May or early June. The lake has been known by various names as depicted on early maps and in journals. Both fur trader David Thompson and explorer William Clark referred to the lake as Yellow Stone. Osborne Russell referred to the lake as Yellow Stone Lake in his 1834 journal. On some William Clark maps, the lake has the name Eustis Lake and the name Sublette's Lake was also used to name the lake in the early 19th century. The name Yellowstone Lake appears formally first in the 1839 maps of the Oregon Territory by U.S. Army topographical engineer, Captain Washington Hood and has remained so since that time.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
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Nearby Parks Around Yellowstone Lake
Compare nearby parks around Yellowstone Lake when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Yellowstone Lake
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Yellowstone Lake while the map context is still fresh.
0.9 mi away
Yellowstone Lake
The largest high-elevation lake in North America.
2.4 mi away
Dot Island
A tiny island in Yellowstone Lake, located in the entrance to West Thumb Bay.
2.8 mi away
Sand Point
The point was named by the Hayden Survey in 1871 for the sandy beach at the point.
3.5 mi away
Whale's Mouth
Named after its resemblance to "the mouth and gullet of a giant fish".
3.6 mi away
Stevenson Island
The largest island in Yellowstone Lake and can easily be seen from the northern end of the lake.
