4-Hour Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
A kayak paddle on Yellowstone Lake is a great way to start the day before moving on to afternoon activities.
We begin the tour at 10AM to beat the wind and waves that can form later in the day. Launching in the evening can be quite dangerous. Safety is our priority.
Your kayak instructor will provide a safety briefing and introduce you to the kayaks and paddle strokes. The tours have a ratio of 6-guests-to-1-guide. The minimum age to join is 14.
Once underway, we journey from the Grant Village Marina to the West Thumb Geyser Basin. The sight of the steaming geyser basin forms a lifelong memory. Enjoy the big mountain views of the Absaroka Range across the lake. Getting out on the water is a unique way to experience the Park.
Our tours are fun! But, we also have a passion for the Park and enjoy sharing information about the flora, fauna, and history of the region.
Tours include morning hot drinks and light snacks, as well as lunch on an off the beaten path beach.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Traveler weight limit 275lbs.
Traveler age minimum: 14-years-old
What To Expect
The paddle takes place in the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. We kayak near the lake shore and sometimes encounter wildlife like bear or elk as we paddle the six miles toward the West Thumb Geyser Basin. We turn around at Potts Geyser Basin, which cannot be seen from the road. See geysers, hot springs, waterfowl, fish and more on our morning kayak tour.
West Thumb Geyser Basin
See West Thumb Geyser Basin from the water. Avoiding the crowded boardwalks, we see thermal features bubbling up from the lake bottom and water falling from the Abyss and Black Pools. We often see shorebirds nesting in the unique thermal features and floating around the hot waters.
Options
4-Hour Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch
What‘s Included
Dry Bag for Personal Items
Personal Floatation Device
Bottled water
Light breakfast snack
Paddle Jacket
Single or Tandem Kayak and Paddle
Hot coffee/tea/cocoa
Sandwich (Turkey/Veggie/Vegan/Gluten Free Options), Brown Bag with apple, chips, nuts, snacks. *Please notify YHG with any food allergies or dietary restrictions*
Yellowstone Entrance Fee: $35 per vehicle, good for one week. Annual America the Beautiful Pass accepted also.
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
174 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Exceptional Guides on an Unforgettable Tour!
992ruthannj,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our 4-hour kayaking trip on Yellowstone Lake was an unforgettable experience! Getting to kayak in Yellowstone National Park on a volcanic lake is something we'll never forget. A huge thank you to our guides, Craig, Maddie, and Conner. They were absolutely amazing! Even though the weather made for a challenging day, they kept everyone safe, informed, and having fun. Their positive attitudes truly made the experience. The only downside was finding the meeting location. We're not sure if it was a TripAdvisor issue or if the directions in the app need to be updated, but it caused us a bit of stress before the trip. Once we found them, though, everything was fantastic. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Yellowstone. It's a one-of-a-kind experience that is well worth it!
Perfect day on the water!
Birdie f,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fantastic time with Craig and Conner on Yellowstone Lake. From the minute, we walked out they took great care of us setting us up with a hot coffee before getting our equipment. While on the water, we had several great rest stops where we were filled in on the lake history and science behind seismic activity. We were provided a delicious lunch with lots of goodies. Would highly recommend.
Exciting Experience
Holly L,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The kayak tour was a blast! I’m definitely sore from all the paddling, but we had a great time. Tim, Craig, and Alison were fantastic tour guides. They’re full of knowledge and love to share it. Great teachers! Lunch was delicious. We had a great group of people.
Beautiful morning on the West Thumb
martinarE480DP,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful paddle with a small group and a knowledgeable, helpful guide.
great experience
C9209WUtracyf,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We recently took a kayak trip with Tim as our guide, and he was absolutely fantastic. From start to finish, he was kind, professional, flexible, and always focused on our safety and comfort. Unfortunately, the weather was cold and rainy—sometimes a little rainy and sometimes a lot!—but Tim never let that dampen the experience. He offered warm clothing, let us adjust plans as needed, and helped us keep a positive attitude throughout the trip. What could have been a miserable day turned into a memorable adventure thanks to his thoughtfulness and expertise. We highly recommend Tim and would gladly paddle with him again!
Do it
Angela A,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I got super lucky with my experience. I ended up being the only one who showed up for my tour and so glad I did. I was greeted by Craig and instantly knew it was going to be good vibes. He is very knowledgeable and fun to talk to! He made me super comfortable and made the experience that much more. I learned so much. Thank you!
Unique way to explore Yellowstone
U7639XFcassiem,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great way to see Yellowstone including seeing some of the geysers up close. The scenery is spectacular and our guide was very knowledgeable about Yellowstone Lake and the park itself. He also made sure we were comfortable throughout the entire trip. Our family had never done a kayaking excursion before and Tim gave us excellent instruction!
Awesome Kayaking experience
Randy L,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful scenery, Tim and Craig were fantastic guides. Very knowledgeable and fun!! A black bear followed us along the coastline. Lunch and snacks provided was also very good. Highly recommend!!!
Tim and Craig were...
Andrew K,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tim and Craig were fantastic guides and really made the time fly. We had great weather when we went and even saw a bear on the beach
4 hour kayak tour
andrewkU9548SW,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tim and Craig were fantastic guides and really made the time fly. We got lucky and had great weather for the tour. The trip was worth the price
Related Experiences
Operated by Yellowstone Hiking Guides