BoatingRegulations

Motorized BoatingNon-Motorized BoatingBoating Safety

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of boating experiences. Boating inYellowstone is a memorable experience and a great way see a different part of the park,but boating in Yellowstone is not without its risks. This brochure has been prepared toassist you in planning ahead and preparing for your boating experience, to help youmake your trip as safe as possible and to help you minimize your impact on theresource so that Yellowstone can be enjoyed by future generations of boaters.

ContentsBoat Registration 1& Permit

Required Equipment 2

Recommended 4Equipment

Prohibitions 6

Additional 7Regulations

Boating Safety 8

Invasive Species 14

Yellowstone Lake 15

Lewis Lake & 19Shoshone Lake

Where permitted Motorized boats are allowed only on LewisLake and Yellowstone Lake. Boat launchesare located at Bridge Bay Marina and GrantVillage on Yellowstone Lake and on thesouth end of Lewis Lake near the Lewis LakeCampground.

Canoes, kayaks and other non-motorizedboats are permitted on all park lakes exceptfor Sylvan Lake, Eleanor Lake, Twin Lakesand Beach Springs Lagoon. All park riversare closed to boating except for the section of the Lewis River between Lewis Lake and Shoshone Lake, where non-motorized boating is permitted. The only reasonably accessible lakes for canoeing or kayaking areYellowstone Lake, Lewis Lake and

Shoshone Lake. Access to other lakesrequires long portages.

Float tubes are considered non-motorizedboats and subject to the same regulations.

Water-skiing, jet skis and related activiti-es are not allowed on any park waters.

All motorized vessels must be registeredin the State of principle use. Registrationnumbers must be displayed on your ves-sel in accordance with US Coast Guard(USCG) regulations.

Additionally, all private-ly owned vessels,including float tubes,must be registered withYellowstone NationalPark each year. Boatpermits issued in GrandTeton National Park arehonored in Yellowstone,but owners must registertheir vessel in Yellowstone and obtain ano-charge Yellowstone validation stickerfrom a permit issuing station.

Place the Boat Permit sticker on the port(left) side of the vessel, approximatelyone foot forward of the stern (back). On afloat tube, the permit may be attacheddirectly to the float tube or attached via ametal wicket available from the issuingstation.

Motorized boat permits and non-motor-ized boat permits (including float tubes)are availabe in a 7-day denomination oras an annual permit. Contact theBackcountry Office for current pricing.

Where to Obtain Boat Permits

Motorized: South Entrance RangerStation, Bridge Bay RangerStation, Grant VillageBackcountry Office, and occa-sionally at the Lewis LakeRanger Station.

Non-motorized: WestEntrance, Northeast Entrance,Mammoth Backcountry Office,Old Faithful BackcountryOffice, Canyon BackcountryOffice, Bechler Ranger Station,

West Contact Station, West YellowstoneChamber of Commerce and locationswhere motorized permits are sold.

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Boat Registration& Permit

one that you will wear. A properly sizedPFD fits com-fortably snugand does notcome abovethe neck orbelow thewaist. Select aPFD based onyour planned

activities, and the water conditions youexpect to encounter.

Check the fit of the PFD – Raise yourarms over your head and have someonelift the PFD straight up from the shoul-ders. The PFD should stay in place. If thePFD comes off, or if the chest area of thePFD touches your nose, then the PFD istoo loose and is too big or needs to besecured. If you cannot secure straps or zipthe PFD, then it is too small. Also, test thePFD for buoyancy by making sure thePFD keeps your chin above water andyou can breathe easily; if your mouth isnot well above water get a new PFD withmore buoyancy.

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PFD must be free from holes or tearswhich could affect performance. PFD’smade with KAPOC should be carefullyinspected to insure that the flotationchambers have not ruptured.

• readily accessible. Wearable PFD’smust be readily accessible. You must beable to put them on in a reasonable

amount of time in an emer-gency. Children 12 or youngermust wear a USCG approvedType I, II, or III PFD whenaboard a vessel which isunderway, except while insidean enclosed cabin. Though, notrequired for those ages 13 andolder, a PFD should be wornat all times when the vessel isunderway. In a true emergency

you may not have time to locate andproperly put on a PFD. A wearable PFDcan save your life, but only if you wear it.

Type V PFDs must be worn at all times.

• appropriate size for the intended user.The best PFD is the one that fits and the

In addition to obtaining a YellowstoneBoat Permit you must have the followingchecked () items as required by the U.S.Coast Guard:

Personal FlotationDevice (PFD) – all vesselsmust have a US Coast Guardapproved, wearable PFD (TypeI, II, III, or V) for each personon board. Additionally, boats16 feet and longer (exceptkayaks/canoes) are required tohave at least one immediatelyaccessible throwable (type IV)PFD. Look on the tag of the PFD to deter-mine type and if it is USCG approved.

Each PFD must be:

• in good condition. Insure that all zip-pers, straps and buckles are in workingorder and can be fastened securely. The

Required Equipment A PFD can

save your life,but only if you

wear it.

Sound Producing Device – Asound device is required for all boats tosignal your position in reduced visibilityand for navigation to signal your inten-tions to other vessels. Human voice is notacceptable under USCG regulations. Anair horn or whistle is recommended.

Required Lights – Runninglights/navigational lights are required tobe displayed at night and when in or nearareas of reduced visibility. When under-way from sunset to sunrise, every motorboat shall carry and exhibit lights pre-

compartments, or permanent fuel tanks.Boats under 26 feet must have one typeB-I fire extinguisher. Boats 26 feet andover must have one type B-II fire extin-

guisher or two type B-I fireextinguishers. Labelsshould read “Marine TypeUSCG” and specify typeand size. Fire extinguishersshould be inspected month-ly to make sure they are inworking order.

Ventilation – All boatsbuilt after August 1, 1980

which use gasoline for electrical genera-tion, mechanical power or propulsion arerequired to be equipped with a ventila-tion system. A natural ventilation systemis required for each compartment in aboat that: 1) contains a permanentlyinstalled gasoline engine; 2) has open-ings between it and a compartment thatrequires ventilation; 3) contains a perma-nently installed fuel tank and an electri-cal compartment.

scribed for the applicable class of motor-boat by your state or the USCG.

Anchored boats must exhibit a whiteanchor light except whenanchored at designatedanchor sites on YellowstoneLake (5L8, 5L9, 7L5, 7L6,7M1, 7M4, 7M5, 7F1 &7F2).

Non-motorized boats arerequired to have alight/flashlight for nightpaddling or during periodsof reduced visibility.

Flame Arrestors – Required onlyon inboard engines to prevent backfire.Not required for outboard motors. Unlessthe motor is very old it should have beenequipped with flame arrestors when man-ufactured.

Fire Extinguishers – USCGapproved fire extinguishers are requiredon boats with inboard engines, enclosed

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Required Equipment

Oars/paddles – Motor boats should beequipped with oars or paddles for emer-gency propulsion. Canoes/kayaks shouldcarry a backup paddle in case a primarypaddle is lost or broken.

Bailing device – All vessels should carrya suitable manual bailing device such as abucket/milk jug or hand pump. Even ifthe boat has a bilge pump or automaticbailing device, a manual backup device

emergency. Be sure to check the expira-tion date as most devices have a 3 yearexpiration date.

VHF Marine Band Radio and/or CellPhone – A marine radio is useful forreceiving storm warnings, and in anemergency for contacting other boats,

NPS boat patrol, or the Bridge BayMarina. A cell phone may also behelpful in an emergency situation.However, cell phones and marineband radios have limited range andare affected by topography and maynot work every-where, espe-

cially in the arms ofYellowstone Lake.

could be vital if these devices don’t work.For canoes and kayaks, a bailing device isindispensable in the event of capsize or ifyour boat is taking on water.

Anchor/line – An anchor and lineattached to the bow can be used to keep aboat stationary and to keep it from blow-

ing out from or into shore. An anchorwhich can be set is required for boatsanchoring overnight. To properly anchoryour boat we recommend at least 210 feetof line - enough for a 7:1 scope in 30 feetof water.

Visual Distress Signals –You may wantto carry a variety of devices such asflares, smoke signal, or electric distresssignal suitable for both day and night useto signal your position in the event of an

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RecommendedEquipment

Waste Receptacle – All vessels shouldhave a waste receptacle aboard. Disposeof trash in garbage cans or dumpsters atlaunch locations. Do not put trash into pittoilets. Draining, dumping, or discharg-ing wastes or refuse, including human

waste, into the waters from any vessel isprohibited.

Compass/GPS unit,maps and the knowl-edge of how to usethem.

Survival gear in drybags – even if you areonly on a day trip, hav-ing a blanket or sleep-ing bag, fire starter andmatches stored in a dry bag could be lifesaving if, in an emergency, you capsizeand/or have to spend the night out.

Additional equipment for paddlers:

Wet Suit or Paddling Jacket – can helpkeep you warm and reduce chances ofhypothermia if you capsize inYellowstone’s cold waters. They must beappropriate for the water & air tempera-tures you will encounter. As a generalrule, if Air + Water temperatures are lessthan 120˚ F then you should wear coldweather exposure gear (wet suit, foulweather gear, etc)

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Paddle Float – indispensable for kayaksto assist in solo reentry of the vessel in

case of capsize.

Throw Rope – useful toreach capsized boaters

Waterproof GearBags/Flotation Bags –waterproof gear bagsincrease flotation andkeep clothing and geardry. Plastic garbage

bags may help keep equipment dry, butare not suitable for flotation.

Inspections – Any park rangermay at any time stop or board anyvessel to examine documents,licenses, and/ or permits relating tothe operation of the vessel and toinspect such vessels to determinecompliance with park regulationsincluding boat safety and fishingregulations.

The following are prohibited inYellowstone National Park:

• Private vessels which exceed 40 feetin length

• Firearms, weapons or traps• Jet skis, personal watercraft, airboats,

submersibles and similar vessels• Towing water skiers, wakeboards,

parasails or performing similar activi-ties

• Overnight anchoring or beaching ofboats without a backcountry permit

• Draining, dumping, or dischargingwastes or refuse, including humanwaste, into the waters from any vessel

• Operating a vessel in excess of 45mph

• Operating a vessel in a reckless ornegligent manner, or in a mannerwhich endangers or is likely toendanger any other person or proper-ty including bowriding, or riding onseatback, gunwale or transom

• Operating a vessel while under theinfluence of alcohol, intoxicants ordrugs

• Operating a vessel in excess of 5 mph(approximately 1,000 - 1,100 RPMs)within marinas, boat launch areas,and the arms of Yellowstone Lake orwithin 100 feet of a swimmer ordiver’s marker.

• Operating a motorized vessel whileany person is riding on the gunwales,transom, or on the decking over thebow, except when the vessel is beingmaneuvered for anchoring, mooringor casting off moorings

• Operating in any commercial capacitywithin the park, unless written author-ization has been granted by theSuperintendent

• Operating a vessel that exceeds anoise level of 82 decibels measured ata distance of 85 feet from the vessel

• Using trailers to launch or recovervessels at a site other than a designat-ed boat launch ramp

• Failing to observe restrictions estab-lished by a regulatory marker

• Overloading a boat

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Prohibitions

camping onshore at a designated camp-site, or leaving your boat unattended tofish or day-hike, you must follow properbackcountry food storage regulations tominimize the opportunity for bears andother wildlife to obtain human food. Allfood and odorous items must be properlyhung or secured in an approved bearproofstorage canister and not left in the open orin a cooler on your boat at any time whenno one is in direct attendance. All back-country campsites have a food pole ormetal storage box. Items which are hungmust be at least 10 feet off the ground and4 feet from the tree trunk. You will need aminimum of 35 feet of rope or more ifyou have multiple containers and/or cool-ers. If your boat is self-contained and youare staying on your boat at one of theanchor or dock sites then you mustsecurely store your food below deck.

required and are available at backcountryoffices, visitor centers, YellowstoneGeneral Stores, and a few local business-es in outlying communities. Refer to parkfishing regulations for details and makesure you understand creel limits, tacklerestrictions, and fish cleaning in bearcountry.

Backcountry Permit – Camping or sleep-ing on your boat on Yellowstone’s lakesrequires a backcountry permit and isallowed only at designated sites andanchorages. Backcountry permits for par-ties travelling by boat may be obtained atthe following Backcountry Offices: SouthEntrance, Grant Village, or Bridge Bay.Permits are generally available between 8a.m. and 4:30 p.m. If you need to get anearly start you should plan on picking upyour permit the day before you wish tostart. Reservations for backcountry camp-sites may be made in advance for a fee.Contact the Central Backcountry Officefor additional information.

Food Storage – Whether picnicking,

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Operator’s age – You must be at least 16to operate a power- driven vessel unsu-pervised. People age 12-15 may operate apower-driven vessel under direct supervi-sion of an adult age 18 or older.

Pets – Pets are allowed on motor boatswhen traveling on Yellowstone Lake andLewis Lake, but must be of appropriatesize for the size of the boat. Pets are notallowed on shore or on boats forovernight trips.

Generators – Generators may not bebrought ashore. Self-contained motorboats staying overnight at a backcountrycampsite should obey quiet hours and notoperate generators or boat motorsbetween the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Fishing Permit Required – YellowstoneNational Park Fishing Permits are

AdditionalRegulations

You are operationally and legally respon-sible for your safety and the safety ofyour passengers. Don’t take your safetyfor granted and don’t count on someoneelse to save you. Many recreationalboaters assume they are safe becausethey’re in small boats, in shallow water,or because they’re good swimmers.Regardless of your level of experience –know your limits. Over 50 people havelost their lives on Yellowstone Lake,Lewis Lake and Shoshone Lake. Most ofthese deaths were preventable and are pri-marily a result of having improperly oroverloaded boats, traveling far fromshore, not wearing life jackets, not travel-ing with other group members, not beingable to self-rescue, and making open-water crossings in windy weather.

Getting out of the water is only the firststep. It is important to get to shore andpromptly remove all wet clothing (espe-cially cotton) and rewarm your body. Puton dry clothing, wear a hat, or get into asleeping bag.

Combat hypothermia by being preparedand planning ahead – Wear your PFDand avoid conditions which could swampor capsize your boat. Travel close toshore. Practice and be prepared for self-rescue. Wear clothing appropriate for theconditions.

Accidents & ReportsAny vessel operator involved in an inci-dent that results in property damage,injury, or death to any person or propertymust report the incident to a park rangeras soon as possible, or within 24 hours.

Carrying Capacity / OverloadingOverloaded boats are dangerous and ille-gal. While underway, no vessel shallcarry more than a safe capacity of personsand/or total weight, taking into consider-ation water and weather conditions, hull

Cold Water SurvivalYellowstone’s lakes are high elevation,cold lakes. Water temperatures rangefrom the mid-30’s in June to only the low60’s (degrees F) in August. Even whenthe water temperature in Yellowstone’slakes is at its highest your survival time ifimmersed is limited.

Sudden immersion in cold water caninduce rapid, uncontrolled breathing, car-diac arrest, and other physical body con-ditions, which can result in drowning.Always wearing a PFD will help you sur-vive in rapid immersion situations.

HypothermiaHypothermia is the abnormal lowering ofinternal body temperature. Immersion inwater speeds the loss of body heat andcan lead to hypothermia. After as little as5 to 10 minutes in cold water your corebody temperature drops, the brainbecomes confused and disoriented, andyour arms and legs become numb.Eventually, if you are unable to get out ofthe water you will loose consciousnessand you could die.

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BoatingSafety

configuration, and intended use. Do notexceed the load limits as listed on the“U.S. Coast Guard MaximumCapacities” information label or CapacityPlate found on all boats except sailboats,canoes, kayaks, and inflateables. Toomany people and/or gear will cause theboat to become unstable. Always balancethe load so that the boat maintains propertrim. Here are some things to rememberwhen loading your boat:

• Distribute the load evenly fore and aftand from side to side

• Keep the load low

• Keep passengers seated (do not standup in a small boat)

• Properly load gear to prevent shifting.In a canoe, improperly packed andfastened gear may contribute to sink-ing in case of capsize, but properlypacked (using dry bags) and fastenedgear may aid in flotation.

Navigation, Rules of the WaterwaysThe Statutory Rules of the Road enactedby Congress to prevent collision of ves-

are marked with aDanger, Stay AwayBuoy, but buoys may notalways be in place espe-cially early or late in the

season. Watch for shallow spots anytimeyou are traveling close to shore. Stay alertfor floating hazards, such as large logs,and report them to a ranger if possible.

sels must be followed by all operators.Keep to the right when approachinganother boat head-on or nearly so. Keepto the right in channels when safe andpracticable. Motorized boats shall keepclear of non-motorized boats. Yield right-of-way to vessels you overtake or passand vessels on your right side in crossing.

Submerged HazardsKnown hazards on Yellowstone Lake andLewis Lake are identified on the maps onpages 19 and 23. On the lakes, hazards

9An improperly loaded and unbalanced canoe

Wind & WeatherWeather in Yellowstone can be unpre-dictable and can change rapidly. Checkthe local weather forecast before leavingthe dock. NOAA weather radios canreceive National Weather Service broad-casts of weather information specific toYellowstone at frequency 162.450 MHz.Bridge Bay Marina will issue weather

advisories and warnings over marineband radio, but you should continuallykeep a “weather eye” to the sky lookingfor potential changes in the weather.

Please consider these strategies for a safe trip on Yellowstone’s lakes:

• Travel close to shore and in areas pro-tected from wind

• Carefully plan itineraries to minimizeor avoid open water crossings

• Avoid open water crossings if youlack the ability to perform a self-res-cue or team-rescue

• Make open water crossings when it’scalm, do so quickly and don’t stop

• Pay attention to the wind directionand where it’s pushing you

• Wait out windy conditions – don’t riskyour safety or the safety of your group

In Yellowstone, even most sunny summerdays will have afternoon winds, typicallyout of the southwest and it is not uncom-mon for thunderstorms with strong winds,high waves, and lightning to approachwithout warning. Waves of 3 to 4 feet arecommon in the central, eastern and north-ern sections of Yellowstone Lake, LewisLake and Shoshone Lake. The biggestsafety threat of wind is in swamping orcapsizing your boat and encountering a sit-uation which could lead to hypothermiaand drowning. Your best chances of avoid-ing rough water are to boat early or late inthe day. Even so, you may still encounterlarge waves and dangerous conditions.

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• Use a big enough boat for your activi-ty. Deep v-hull designs handle thebest in rough water

• Don’t overload your boat with peopleor gear

• Place at least one experienced paddlerin each boat and consider practicingcapsize recovery techniques with allparty members prior to your trip

• Travel as a group – stay within audi-ble range of other party members

What to do in severe weather and high waves

• Non-power boats should always trav-el close to shore and get out of thewater. Be prepared to wait out stormson shore in a safe place

• Power boats should head for the near-est shore that is safe to approach, ifpossible

• Reduce speed, but keep just enoughpower to maintain headway

• Put on PFD’s if you’re not alreadywearing them

There are several signs which mayindicate approaching weatherchanges:

• Weather changes usually come fromthe west and southwest

• Watch for cloud build up, especiallyrapid vertically rising clouds

• Watch for sudden drops in tempera-ture and changes in wind direction orspeed

• Continue to look for oncomingstorms throughout the day

• Turn on running lights

• Head bow of boat into the waves atabout a 45-degree angle

• Keep bilges free of water

• Seat passengers on bottom of boatnear centerline

• If your engine fails, trail a sea anchoron a line from the bow to keep theboat headed into the waves. A bucketwill work as a sea anchor in an emer-gency.

• Anchor the boat if necessary.

Self RescueThe first step of self-rescue is to avoid theneed for a rescue in the first place. Staywithin your abilities and plan and prac-tice self rescue before leaving on yourtrip. Don’t wait until you need to self-res-cue to try one and don’t count on some-one else to saveyou. If you tipover far fromshore you’ll needto get back intoyour boat andbail out anywater. Havinghelp from othersis much easierthan getting in byyourself. Prudentpaddlers alwaystravel in groups, but because boaters canbecome separated by wind, waves orweather, self-rescue must be practiced. Avariety of techniques exist to reenterkayaks and canoes, but they need to bepracticed before you embark on a trip.

much of yourbody out ofthe water aspossible. Fiftypercent ofbody heat islost from thehead. Crawlonto the over-turned boat ifpossible.Assume theHeat EscapeLesseningPosture(H.E.L.P.)position or theHuddlePosition ifwith others.

AlcoholAlcohol is the number one contributor toboating-related accidents and deaths. Donot consume alcohol while boating.Boating under the influence is illegal.

If you fall overboard or capsize and areunable to reenter your boat:

• Keep your PFD on and remain calm

• Do not waste energy. Do not thrashabout or try to remove clothing orfootwear. This leads to exhaustionand increases the loss of air that

keeps youafloat. If you areclose to shoreyou may be ableto float on yourback and paddleslowly to safety,but do not swimunless you arevery close toshore and cando so quickly.

Swimming pumps blood away fromthe core of your body and into yourextremities which can shorten yoursurvival time.

• Minimize heat loss. If possible, coveryour head and button clothing. Keepyour head out of water and get as

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H.E.L.P. Position

Huddle Position

Carbon Monoxide Hazards Carbon Monoxide can be a “silent killer”on recreational vessels. Each year,boaters are injured or killed by carbonmonoxide. Virtually all of the poisoningsare preventable. Carbon monoxide is aby-product of combustion of carbonbased material such as gasoline, propane,charcoal or wood. Common sourcesaboard boats include main and auxiliaryengines, generators, cooking ranges,space heaters, and water heaters. Coldand poorly tuned engines produce morecarbon monoxide than warm properlytuned engines.

Carbon monoxide can collect within aboat in a variety of ways. Exhaust leaks(the leading cause of death by carbonmonoxide) can allow carbon monoxide tomigrate throughout the boat and intoenclosed areas. Even properly ventedexhaust can re-enter a boat if it’s mooredtoo close to a dock or another boat, or ifthe exhaust is pushed back by prevailingwinds. Exhaust can re-enter boats whencruising under certain conditions espe-

• Install a carbon monoxide detector ineach accommodation space on yourboat. Check the detectors periodicallyto be sure they are functioning properly.

• If your carbon monoxide detectoralarm sounds, immediately open win-dows and doors for ventilation andmove people into fresh air. Seek med-ical attention if necessary. Turn offengines, generators, and any fuelburning appliances Don’t ignore thealarm, investigate the source of theproblem and seek qualified help infixing the problem.

cially with canvas in place. Exhaust canalso collect in enclosed spaces near thestern swim platform.

What To Do?• Schedule regular engine and exhaust

system maintenance inspections byexperienced and trained mechanics.

• Keep forward facing hatches open toallow fresh air circulation in accom-modation spaces, even in inclementweather.

• Keep people clear of the boat’s reardeck area and swim platform whileeither the generator or engines arerunning. Always monitor the swim-ming area.

• Do not confuse carbon monoxide poi-soning with seasickness or intoxica-tion. If someone on board complainsof irritated eyes, headaches, nausea,weakness or dizziness, immediatelymove the person to fresh air, investi-gate the cause and take correctiveaction. Seek medical attention, if nec-essary.

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If you could see carbon monoxide accumulat-ing around your boat it might look like this.

Aquatic Invasive Species ThreatenYellowstone Waters –Yellowstone’s world class fisheries arethreatened by the introduction of aquaticinvasive species. These harmful invadersdisplace native species that are essential forthe growth and survival of fish such as cut-throat trout. These invasive species havethe potential to impact trout consumerssuch as eagles, ospreys, and grizzly bears,

which in turncould cause adisruption ofthe GreaterYe l l ow s t o n eEcosystem.

Currently theNew ZealandMud Snail andthe parasite thatcauses whirlingdisease in trout

are present in park waters. The zebra mus-

footwear before moving among dif-ferent bodies of water. A 10% bleachsolution carried in a spray bottle canbe used to help ensure aquatic inva-sive species do not persist on yourgear.

3) Be sure to drain livewells prior tomoving to a new lake or stream, andonly clean fish in the same body ofwater in which they were caught.

4) Allowing your boat and other equip-ment to dry in the sun for at least fivedays after cleaning would also behelpful since some species cannotsurvive out of water.

sel and Eurasion watermilfoil are twoother aquatic invasive species that arequickly approaching the park, and thereare hundreds of others now in NorthAmerica. Often so small they are difficultto see, aquatic invasive species are trans-ported or “hitchhike” from one lake orstream to another within the water of aboat bilge or livewell, in mud and sand,and on plant fragments attached to boats,fishing equipment, or clothing.

How you can help – Prevent furtherspread of these invaders by making sureall equipment is clean and free of destruc-tive aquatic invasive species prior toentering the park and when moving fromone lake or stream to another:

1) Prior to entering the park, cleanyour boat with high pressure hotwater (>140 degrees F), includingthe bilge and livewell areas, andflush your engine cooling system.

2) Thoroughly clean any mud, vegeta-tion or debris from boats, trailers,fishing equipment, clothing and

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Invasive Species

Yellowstone’s world class

fisheries are threatened by

the introduction of aquatic

invasive species

Yellowstone Lake is the largest freshwater lake above 7000 feet in the UnitedStates, and the second largest above 7000feet in the world. Its 136 square mileswith 110 miles of shoreline provide anexceptional backcountry experience formotorized and non-motorized boaters.

Launch LocationsBoat ramps are located at Bridge BayMarina and Grant Village. Only boatswhich can be carried (canoes/kayaks)may launch from Sedge Bay along thenortheastern shore of Yellowstone Lake.Boats which can be carried may alsolaunch from the parking area along GullPoint Drive for day trips only. The BridgeBay Marina and Grant Village LaunchRamp Lagoon are No Wake Zones. AtBridge Bay Marina there are separateparking areas for day-users and overnightusers. Please consult with the rangers atBridge Bay for more information.

low a boat with a non-retractable keelmay encounter some difficulty.

South, Southeast, & Flat MountainArm RegulationsTo maintain the wilderness character ofthe South, Southeast, and Flat MountainArms of Yellowstone Lake, travel restric-tions have been enacted. Motorized craftare restricted to a wakeless (5 mph) speed

south of the mouths of the South andSoutheast Arms. The lower sections ofthe South, Southeast and Flat MountainArms are designated as Non-MotorZones. Only boats without motors orboats which are designed to be handpropelled (sailed, rowed, or paddled)

with motors disabled may travel in theNon-Motor Zone. Disabled means thatthe motor propeller has been lifted out ofthe water and or removed from the tran-som. From mid-June to October, buoysare installed marking the 5 mph and Non-Motor Zones. It is your responsibility toknow where these zones begin and endeven when buoys are not installed.

Sailboats may use the boat ramps atBridge Bay Marina and Grant Village. Toaccess the main body of YellowstoneLake from the Bridge Bay Marina,boaters must travel under a bridge wherethe road crosses the inlet to the marinabay. A sailboat with raised mast cannotmake it under this bridge. Sailboats mustnavigate under the bridge with the mastdown and step the mast while on thewater. Once a sailboat has pro-gressed under the bridge, there is abeach in a no wake zone that werecommend you use to step themast. A retractable keel is helpfulunder these circumstances. Pleasecheck with the Bridge Bay Marinarangers for current water levels, and fur-ther details on how to safely get underway from Bridge Bay Marina.

The boat ramp at Grant Village has nooverhead obstructions and is generallysteep enough that a sailboat with a keel ofaverage depth can be launched with noproblems. However, if lake levels are very

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Yellowstone Lake

Restricted landing and travel areason Yellowstone Lake

Landing vessels within 25 feet of anygeothermal area and on the shore line ofYellowstone Lake between Little ThumbCreek and the south end of the WestThumb geothermal area is prohibited.

Anchoring is prohibited in the GrantVillage Launch Ramp lagoon, the BridgeBay Marina, and in Bridge Bay within300 yards from shore between the LakeHotel and the entrance to the Bridge BayMarina.

The tributaries of Yellowstone Lake,including north of the outlet towardFishing Bridge, are closed to boating.

Frank Island – the entire island, exceptfor the immediate dock area (southeast-ern finger), is closed to public use fromMay 15 until August 15 to protect nestingbirds. There is a picnic area along thesoutheastern finger of Frank Island whichis open to landing, and has a dock, out-

Beaching & Storing BoatsDue to rocky shorelines and rough waves,boats must be removed completely fromthe water along some sections of shore-line on Yellowstone Lake. Refer to theBackcountry Trip Planner and the list of

campsites and their restric-tions for detailed informa-tion.

Parties with backcountrypermits which combineboating and backpackingmay store their boat onland during the time theywill be backpacking pro-viding that the boat is non-motorized, small enough tobe hand carried, is storedout of sight of trails, camp-sites and the lake, and that

no food, trash, or odorous items are left inthe boat.

house, fire grates, & picnic tables. On-shore camping is prohibited, but self-con-tained vessels may anchor offshoreovernight with a valid backcountry per-mit.

Stevenson Island – thesouthern end of the islandis closed to public use fromMay 15 until August 15 toprotect nesting birds. Thenorthern end is open to dayuse, but there are no docks,fire grates or tables.

The Molly Islands – locat-ed in the Southeast Arm,the islands are a sensitivearea for nesting birds andare closed to any landing.In addition, to minimizedisturbance to the resident birds, boatersmust travel no closer than 1/4 mile fromthe islands or no further than 100 yardsfrom shore between campsites 6A1 and6A2.

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The tributaries ofYellowstone Lake,including north of the outlet toward

Fishing Bridge, areclosed to boating.

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Try to get an early start if youwill be travelling along the eastshore. Afternoon winds out of thesouthwest often result in largewaves hitting the east shore andmaking boat travel difficult.

Yellowstone LakeBeware of floating debris, changing

weather conditions, and extremely coldwater. Be prepared for the unexpected.

Shore ProximityPower boats larger than 16 feet must trav-el no closer than 1/4 mile from the shore-line of the South & Southeast arms. Forreference, the buoys marking the 5 mphzone and non-motorized zone are placed1/4 mile from shore. Boats are permittedto be closer than 1/4 mile from shore onlywhen accessing campsites and the shore-line to embark or debark or when they arestationary fishing from an anchored ormoored boat.

Non-motorized boats and power boatsunder 16 feet are strongly recommendedto stay within 1/4 mile of shore in theevent that they need to get to shore quickly.

DocksDocks are located at backcountry camp-sites 7L5/Wolf Point, 7L6/Eagle Bay,7M4/Plover Point, and at the southeasterntip of Frank Island. If unoccupied, dayusers may tie up to the docks and use thepicnic tables on shore. However, partieswith backcountry permits have prefer-ence for use of these facilities.

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout are a pri-mary food source for many grizzly bears.In the spring Yellowstone Cutthroat Troutspawn in the many tributary streams sur-rounding Yellowstone Lake. Because of

the spawn andassociated con-centration ofgrizzly bearsthere are anumber ofcampsites in thearms ofYe l l ow s t o n eLake which areclosed andother campsiteswhere travelaway from thecore camp or

off of designated trails is not allowedprior to July 15.

Consult the Backcountry Trip Planner fora map of the Bear Management Areas anda list of campsites with detailed restric-tions.

Bear Management Area RestrictionsTo reduce human related impacts onbears in high density bear habitat a num-ber of Bear Management Areas have beenestablished in Yellowstone National Park.Much of theshoreline ofYe l l ow s t o n eLake falls with-in the bound-aries of variousB e a rM a n a g e m e n tAreas in aneffort to preventh u m a n - b e a rconflicts andprovide areaswhere bears canpursue naturalbehavioral patterns free from human dis-turbance. The types of restrictions arearea/campsite closures and travel limita-tions during specific times of the yearwhen bears may be more active in a spe-cific area.

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Lewis Lake is the only location other thanYellowstone Lake where motor-izedboats may operate. Shoshone Lake is thelargest backcountry lake in the contigu-ous United States and a magnificentwilderness resource. It has no road accessand only hand-propelled boats may reachits waters.

Launch LocationsA boat ramp is located on the southeast-ern shore of Lewis Lake near the entranceto the campground. Non-motorizedboaters are encouraged to launch from theboat ramp and travel along the more pro-tected western shore. Non-motorizedboats which can be hand carried may alsobe launched from a roadside pulloutalong the northeast shore, but the north-east shore launch location has very limit-ed parking and is not recommended dueto potentially dangerous rough water and

nel due to a swift current in the early sea-son and shallow water later in the season.You will need to walk upstream wadingin cold water through a rocky bottomstream, lining your boat behind. Havingat least fifteen feet of rope makes this aneasier task. In June and early-July, duringspring run-off, expect extremely coldwater temperatures and water depths of3–4 feet. You may wish to consider wear-ing a wetsuit if you are planning a tripduring the early season. By mid-July, run-off starts to subside and water tempera-tures slowly warm.

high waves. At theLewis Lake boat rampthere are separate park-ing areas for day andovernight users. Pleasepay attention to thesigns.

Motorized boating isallowed on Lewis Lakeonly. The non-motor-ized zone begins at themouth/southern end ofthe Lewis River Channel. Parties withmotors on their boats who are travellingto Shoshone Lake must remove the motorfrom the boat and store it on shore uponentering the Lewis River Channel. Foradded security boaters may wish to use achain and lock to secure their motor.

Lewis RiverThe Lewis River Channel between Lewisand Shoshone Lakes is approximately 3miles long. Paddling upstream on theLewis River Channel is not possible forabout the northern most mile of the chan-

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Lewis Lake & Shoshone Lake

Pulling a canoe up the Lewis River Channel in late-July

Shoshone Geyser BasinBoaters can access the geyser basin viathe small bay in the northwest end of thelake where there is a landing area and atrail to the basin. Look for a large orangemarker identifying the landing area. Donot leave food items unattended in yourboat. A food storage box is located at thelanding area for you to store any food andodorous items while you visit the geyserbasin. A trail leads from the landing areainto the geyser basin. For your safety,please stay on the trail while visiting thegeyser basin.

NarrowsThe Narrows is the section in the middleof Shoshone Lake where the north andsouth shores are closest (approximatelymile). If you need to make an open watercrossing you should evaluate conditionswisely and cross only at the Narrows.

Crossing between the north and southshore at places other than the Narrows isstrongly discouraged due to the length oftime you are exposed and far from shore.

East ShoreThe east shore of Shoshone Lake, at firstappearance, may look like the easiestroute between campsite 8S2, the north-east corner of the lake and the lake’s out-let near campsite 8S1. However, mostdays, winds on Shoshone Lake comefrom the southwest causing the east shoreto be pummeled by 2-3 foot or largerwaves making paddling difficult if notimpossible and dangerous. If your itiner-ary takes you to the northeast corner ofthe lake you should include in your planstime to travel between these locations viathe Narrows and the more protected sec-tions of shoreline.

Winds and waves on Shoshone Lake candevelop suddenly at any time putting youin a dangerous situation if you are farfrom shore.

We suggest you select a site on the south-ern shore of the lake for the first night ofany overnight trip. Plan itineraries so thatyou make any open water crossings in theearly morning and before winds pick upmid-morning (around 10 a.m.). Earlymornings typically have the calmestweather on Shoshone Lake, howeverstrong winds may occur at any time.Carefully evaluate conditions andwait out storms and strong winds

at a safe location onshore if needed.

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Non-Motorized Zone

Eyes On Yellowstone is a collaborative pro-gram among Yellowstone National Park,Canon U.S.A., Inc., and Yellowstone ParkFoundation. This group effort has furtheredthe science andeducation mis-sion in the parkfor over 10 years.Canon has spon-sored crucial sci-entific researchusing cutting-edge technologyin plant andwildlife recovery,biodiversity discovery and conservation actionprojects such as disturbed lands restorationand archival photograph preservation. See: www.EyesOnYellowstone.org.

Canon is committed to raising awarenessabout the importance of conserving thenation’s wildlands and is instrumental in cre-ating new avenues for public access to the

For More Information

To obtain a Backcountry TripPlanner contact the CentralBackcountry Office at (307) 344-2160 or look for it online atwww.nps.gov/yell/publications

• Bridge Bay Backcountry Office(mid-May – September) 307-242-2413

• Grant Village Backcountry Office(June – September) 307-242-2609

• Yellowstone Association (books & maps) 877-967-0090 or www.YellowstoneAssociation.org

• Xanterra Bridge Bay Marina –Yellowstone Lake Boat ShuttleReservations 307-242-3881 (May – September)307-344-5217 (October –April)

• Xanterra Reservations (Hotel, Campground, Activities)307-344-2113

• Emergency 911

For additional information on boatingsafety contact or visit:

• USCG Boating Safety Infoline 800-368-5647 or www.uscgboating.org

• Safe Boating Council -www.safeboatingcouncil.org

NPS Boating Regulations can be foundin Title 36, Part 3 of the Code ofFederal Regulations online athttp://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html. It is your responsibility to knowand obey the United States CoastGuard and State of Wyoming regula-tions for boat operation and safety.

wonder and magic of one of the world’s mostrecognized and popular parks. See:www.WindowsIntoWonderland.org. To learnmore or to participate in park science, contact

the YellowstonePark Foundationat 406-586-6303or www.ypf.org.

This publicationis produced aspart of Eyes OnYellowstone andis made possibleby Canon U.S.A.

Photographs, unless otherwise noted, weretaken with Canon film or digital cameras.

Printed on recycled paper

Eyes On Yellowstone