Top Yellowstone National Park On the Water

Admire the tree-fringed banks, beaches, and thermal pools of Yellowstone Lake from the water on this morning tour. After a short kayak lesson and time to familiarize yourself with your kayak, set out to explore the West Thumb with your guide. Paddle for about six miles (9.7 kilometers), look out for wildlife such as elk and waterfowl along the lakeshore, and marvel at the steaming geysers and pools of the West Thumb Geyser Basin.

With over 1 million monthly visitors in the high season, escaping Yellowstone’s crowds can be a task—but not on this tour. Take a Twilight Paddle along the northwestern shores of Yellowstone Lake, the largest alpine lake on the continent, experiencing true serenity in this geothermal wilderness. Watching steam rise above the nearest geyser basin as the sun sets, you’ll understand why Yellowstone deserves the title of world’s first national park.

How many people can say they’ve kayaked acoss an old volcano? That’s exactly what you’ll do on this guided tour, paddling across Lake Yellowstone with your ACA-certified guide. Starting in the morning to avoid the winds, you’ll kayak past geysers, valleys, and get up-close and personal with the lake’s thermal features. All gear—from life jackets to snacks—included for this memorable Yellowstone adventure.

Avoid the midday heat and paddle through pristine Lake Yellowstone during the most scenic time of day with this small-group kayaking tour. Set off with your certified guide on kayak across the serene waters to take in geological features, hot springs, and the occasional geyser while you learn about the area’s flora and fauna from your guide. Watch the setting sun bathe the Absaroka Mountains in a golden glow and pause to snap photos along the way.

Your guide will lead you around the shoreline where there are many geothermal features on land and under water that we’ll explore from our kayaks. Then, we will return the way we came, following the shoreline and watching the wildlife as we casually make our way back to Grant Village. Paddling away from the crowds in the west thumb of the lake, we teach you how to safely and properly control your kayak so you are able to relax and take in all of the natural beauty of Yellowstone. We always stay in small groups to make sure you get the most information and best access to this incredible area, and to ensure safety throughout each trip. Ages 12 and under are required to be in a tandem kayak with an adult, and we take kids as young as 5 regularly. We have both single and double kayaks available for everyone to enjoy and absolutely no prior kayaking experience is required.

Due to its size and varied terrain, Yellowstone National Park can be hard to navigate if visiting alone. Instead, make your visit stress-free and embark on a loop hike in the company of a guide who knows the area like the back of their hand, including all the best spots to snap photos, rest, and enjoy lunch with a view. The Grand Canyon Rim trail takes you through the forest out to Ribbon Lake, and then past a geyser basin, Clear Lake, mud pots, and meadows, for excellent views of the Hayden Valley.

Explore the rocky shores and tranquil waters of Yellowstone Lake on a half-day kayak tour with a professional guide. Climb into either a single or double kayak and then set out to discover the beauty of Yellowstone Lake at a relaxed pace. Paddle beside the West Thumb Geyser Basin to see incredible geothermic features, and appease your appetite with a delicious picnic lunch. No previous kayaking experience is necessary.

This guided kayaking tour in Yellowstone National Park, includes an introduction to Yellowstone's history and geology of the Lake, along with the kayaking equipment and techniques, then your guides lead you around the shoreline to the West Thumb Geyser Basin where there are many geothermal features on land and under water we will explore from our kayaks, many of which are not accessible by any other means. We explore from our kayaks this primitive geyser basin where there are no signs, no boardwalks and most importantly no other people. All necessary kayaking equipment and instruction on paddling techniques are included. No prior kayaking experience is required. All skill levels are welcome. Single and double kayaks are available. Small groups with an individual experience.

Admire the natural wonders of Yellowstone Lake from the water on this morning kayaking tour. Paddle out to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, marvel at the geothermal pools and geysers, then continue to the less-visited Potts Geyser Basin. Along the way, enjoy plenty of stops to soak up the scenery and look out for wildlife along the lakeshore—you might spot an elk or bear.

Lewis Lake is the less traveled route, not because it’s any less cool than surrounding areas, but it is more like a hidden gem. A chance avoid the crowds, the traffic, and bison jams, we are offering a sweet escape from Yellowstone’s busy scenery. Experience Yellowstone and its solitude by taking an afternoon paddle on Lewis Lake.