Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park Lake Area

Mammoth Hot Springs

Norris Hot Springs

Madison Junction

Old Faithful Geyser Basin

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Lake Village and Fishing Bridge

Canyon Village

Tower Junction

North East Entrance

Favorite Trails of Mine

Limited Days to see the Park

Varrious Water Falls in the Park

Canyon Village History

Other Yellowstone Links and Information

Parkee's Homepage

Lake Area

Yellowstone Lake

Lake Area

Lake area is a focal point of the park as this is the location of the oldest standing Hotel in the Park. The Lake area has quite a bit of history in and around the area. Lake Yellowstone Hotel is the oldest standing Hotel in the park. The hotel completed in 1891. Just in front of the hotel there use to be a boat dock where people would unload from the boat ride from West Thumb Geyser Basin. The road in front of the Hotel use to be the main park road. Along the main road in the Lake Area there was a large fish hatchery that would gather the eggs from the cutthroat trout each spring. Today some of the old buildings are used as residences for the summer staff.

Fishing Bridge which is just north of the Lake Area is in the process of being moved. This has been a long process. The reason that the area is being moved is due to the fact that this location was built in a major grizzly bear area. At one time there use to be two campgrounds the larger one being over 300 sites. There were 100+ cabins, a Photo shop, cafeteria and other out buildings. Today the only campground is for hard sided trailers, the Hamilton Store, gas station and a repair garage and the Visitor Center. There has been quite a bit of controversy on removing this site because of different factors. Some of the controversies are the historical uses of the area, and the who has the rights to this area is it the Grizzly Bears or Humans. Historically from the first official expedition into Yellowstone to the general tourist there have been people staying in the Fishing Bridge area for over 125 years. But there are other people that say that the grizzly bears have been using the area much longer and they should have the right to use the area. This has won out hence the reason that many buildings have come out.

Hey the plus side of all of this is that there is more wild life in the area. Grizzly Bears are frequently seen using the area and right around fishing bridge the exclusive moose can be seen. Also on the Yellowstone River white pelicans can be found and an occasional otter can be seen. And from the bridge cutthroat trout can be seen as well. So there is quite a bit to be done while in the area.


What to see at Lake

  • Natural Bridge - This is a one mile hike along an old road that takes one to a double arch over a creek so it forms a Natural Bridge. This trail is closed in early summer due to the spawning stream that flows next to the road.
  • Fishing Bridge - This is the second Fishing Bridge. This bridge go it's name from the fact that in the 1920's and even into the 1970's people use to fish from this bridge for the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Today there is no fishing with in 100 yards of the bridge to that now you can actually see the fish swimming under the bridge which is quite a sight seeing a 20 inch cutthroat right underneath you and you can't catch it.
  • Fishing Bridge Visitor Center - This is one of the National Historic Sturctures in Yellowstone. This houses a display of the birds of Yellowstone National Park. So it is well worth the stop even if it seems out of the way.
  • Lake Hotel - Yellowstone Lake Hotel is the oldest standing hotel in the park. It was completed in 1891. Two other hotels were completed in the same year they were the Grand Canyon Hotel and the Fountain Hotel. This hotel underwent major remoldeling so that it was ready for it's 100 anniversity in 1991. It is worth a stop in the hotel just to look around.
  • Lake Lodge - This is one of the seven lodges built in the 1920's. It is one of three that remain active in the park. This lodge is built out of the native timber of the area. Again it is worth as stop to look out the best time to visit the lodge is in the evening as sitting on the porch in a rocking chair with a beverage is a great way to spend an evening. The rec hall at the one end is where they use to hold the dances every evening except on sunday for the guests and employees alike.
  • Bridge Bay Marina - This is one of two marinas for Yellowstone Lake the other one being at Grant. But this is the only one that can be used by the general public to store their personal boats. There are scenic cruises, motor boats and row boats for rent at the docks.
  • LaHardy Rapids - This is where the first boat accident happen in Yellowstone in 1871. This is also a good location in the early summer to see the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout jumping up the rapids to get back to Yellowstone Lake after spawning. Just a few years ago LaHardy Rapids were rising an inch a year but currently it seems to be lowering.
  • Mud Volcanos - This is a great thermal area to visit. There is a 3/4 mile loop trail that one must take. Although activity was one greater. In 1870 the Washburn Party could hear Dragons Mouth Spring from the Yellowstone River. The area is still quite active.
  • Steamboat Point - This spot may be inaccesable this year (1997) due to road construction but this spot is great in the fact that here is another thermal area right along the edge of Yellowstone Lake.
  • Gull Point Drive - This road is part of the old main road before it was rerouted out of the Lake Village Area. This shows how narrow the old roads use to be since you could only go one direction. This road goes along the edge of Yellowstone Lake and provides good access for those who wish to fish.

    Hikes in the Area

  • Natural Bridge - This trail starts at the end of Gull Point Drive just on the other side of the Marina. This is a one mile one way hike. See above for details of natural brige.
  • Elephant Back - This is a great hike it that it climbs about 800 feet in the 3 mile lenght of the trail. I recommend that you go to the right when the trail splits because the climb is less steep. On top it gives you a great view of Yellowstone Lake, Lake Lodge and Yellowstone Lake Hotel. This is a favorite among the employees because it makes the employees who smoke want to give up smoking because they are just huffing and puffing.
  • Storm Point - This three mile trail starts at Indian Pond (was orginally called Squaw Lake). This trail is relitivity flat. It takes you out to Yellowstone Lake and provides one with varried terrain out to the lake. I think that this hike is like walking on a golf course because of the sand traps (bison wallows), the holes (yellowbellied marromot burrows) and tuffs of grass and the water trap (Yellowstone Lake).
  • Avalanche Peak - This is a great hike. The trailhead starts near Elanor Lake on the way to Sylvan Pass. This is a 4 mile round trip hike. Which takes about four hours. Two hour to climb the 2000 or so feet to the top half an hour to see the sights and an hour and half to get back down. The trail begins through dense lodgepole pines then opens up in to the bowl of Avalanche Peak and climbs through the shale to the summit. From on top one can see the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone Lake, Mt Sherdian and Mount Washburn. If you have the time I would recommed this hike but plan accordenly due to the road construction on the Lake to East Entrance Road.

    Services in the Area

  • Lake Hotel - Run by Amfac - Open summer only
  • Lake Lodge - Run by Amfac - Open summer only
  • Lake Hotel Dining Room - Run by Amfac - Open summer only
  • Lake Hotel Snack Shop - Run by Amfac - Open summer only
  • Lake Lodge Cafeteria - Run by Amfac - Open summer only
  • Lake Fountain - Run by Hamilton - Open summer only
  • Fishing Bridge Fountain - Run by Hamilton - Open summer only
  • Lake General Store - Run by Hamilton - Open summer only
  • Fishing Bridge General Store - Run by Hamilton - Open summer only
  • Bridge Bay Marina Shop - Run by Hamilton - Open summer only
  • Bridge Bya Marina - Run by Amfac - Open summer only
  • Gas Station - Run by Amfac and Hamilton features Conoco Gasoline - Open Summer and Winter
  • Gas Station Repair Shop - Run by Amfac and Hamilton features Conoco Gasoline - Open Summer and Winter
  • Lake Ranger Station - NPS - Open all year
  • Fishing Bridge Visitor Center - NPS -Open summer only
  • Bridge Bay Campground - Run by Amfac - Open summer only
  • Fishing Bridge RV Park - Run by Amfac - Open summer only
  • Post Office - Open Summer only

    David Rothenburger Remember...
    • Remember to stay on the boardwalks in the thermal areas.
    • STAY AWAY FROM THE BISON - They are quite unpredictable and they can run up to 35 mph so keep your distance as people have been gored.
    • Beware that the average temperature in Lake Yellowstone is only 41 Degrees F.

    Yellowstone National Park
    PO Box 168
    Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
    307-344-7381

    Entire contents & copy;1997-2002 David Rothenburger (Parkee@worldnet.att.net).

    You are the to visit my site since December 8, 1999.

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