Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Lake is the largest body of water in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone Lake freezes over completely every winter in late December or early January, with ice thicknesses varying from a few inches to more than two feet. The lake usually thaws in late May or early June. Yellowstone Lake remains cold year-round, with an average water temperature of 41°F (5°C). Because of the extremely cold water, swimming is not recommended.Yellowstone Lake has the largest population of wild cutthroat trout in North America. How a Pacific Ocean fish was trapped in a lake that drains to the Atlantic puzzled experts for years. Figuratively, if one could pour all the water out of Yellowstone Lake, what would be found on the bottom is similar to what is found on land in Yellowstone: geysers, hot springs, and deep canyons.

Fantastic driving towards Fisher's Bridge coming from West Thumb.... Beautiful vistas and do look for dead wood as it makes great pictures! 😉

We have explored and thoroughly loved Yellowstone National Park each of the numerous times we have visited. Lone Star Geyser is a favorite spot and a wonderful hike from Lone Star back to Old Faithful Lodge! Everyone should see Yellowstone. You’ll gather lifetime memories there. I regret not touring Yellowstone in winter when I was young! It’s on my bucket list! ♥️

Really big and beautiful lake. It’s still an iced lake when I was there, but I think it should be pure water now. You can see this lake from different angles. Now you might be able to take a boat through bridge bay. You can go to west thumb to see how geothermal landscapes merge with lake and it’s really awesome!

Yellowstone lake cover 136 surface miles and it is the largest high elevation lake in North America. Interesting fact is that there is no fishing allowed from the “fishing bridge” since 1973. Yellowstone Lake runs through numerous parts of the park but we found the best view to be on East entrance road. I would highly recommend Steamboat Point picnic ground for awesome views of the water during a stop for lunch or dinner. Steamboat is just a mile or so east of the fishing bridge. Enjoy.