Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Our meeting time of 8:30 is the optimal time as we are one of the first to get on and usually get back before the strong afternoon winds pick up. Kayaking with Shurr Adventures on lake Yellowstone over an old volcano is truly one of the top five things to do while in the park. With our small group tours we are able to personalize the tour and really show our guests this place in a unique way. All of our kayaks have a rudders which is very important on windy days and is a great way to steer with ease. Our naturalist guides/level 3 ACA certified trip leaders are the top in their field and have years of experience, this helps when talking about Yellowstone as a naturalist and safety as a seasoned guide. Kayaking past the west thumb geyser and Potts geyser basin is a truly special way see this area of Yellowstone lakes thermal features, With our fast and stable kayaks we are able to cover more ground safety to optimize guests overall experience.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
What To Expect
Paddling amongst and over the thermal features on Yellowstone Lake is truly special! Kayak with our Shurr Adventures naturalist guides and learn about Yellowstone Lake, its surrounding wildlife, and the geological history that shaped the lake and its ecosystems. This tour will help give our guests a broader view of the lake area and the southern/central part of Yellowstone National Park. This is an excellent way to see these natural geothermal wonders up close and personal, without having to trudge through a crowded boardwalk! These high altitude lakes are also a good water source for a variety of birds, elk, deer, and once in a great while a bear! We will be on the lookout for these animals as we kayak! This is truly an unbeatable experience and an excellent way to get away from the crowds. (Please remember that these kayak tours are on cold, high altitude lakes. The conditions can be calm and super clear on some days, or choppy and more adventurous on others.)
Options
Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features
What‘s Included
Splash Jackets if needed, paddle gloves when it gets cold, and light fiberglass paddles
Dry boxes for phones and keys, Dry bags for extra layers, dry bags for cameras
Please message us if you would like a double kayak verses a single kayak
Level 3 ACA Trip Leader Certified Guide (This is way above and beyond industry norms
We have water bottles in each boat, but if our guest are able to bring their own water please bring
Cliff Bars, Fruit Leathers, fruit snacks, other nice snacks for before or during the tour
Bring warm layers and non cotton layers this water is 38 degrees, extra fleece just in case
water shoes, sandals or shoes you don't mind getting wet,
Sun protection options such as spf 50, drink and bring water, sunglasses
inhalers, epi pens anything else one might need out in the wilderness
gratuities for guide for a job well done is much appreciated but not expected
Leave in your vehicle a Towel and extra clothes for after your trip just in case you get wet
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
216 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kayaking Lake Yellowstone with Geysers
G5677UKrobertp,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wonderful time. Great kayaking trip on a beautiful lake with views of geysers and underwater thermal vents that can't be seen on land. And our guide, Anthony, was great!
Geyser view’s from the water
Stacy S,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide Anthony was outstanding. We got to see so many amazing sites from the water that you cannot see from land. Book with Shurr Adventures if you can.
Kayak with Allí
Sally C,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Allí & her team were excellent guides. Being able to kayak on the highest alpine lake in the US AND with all the geothermal features- just wow. Incredible beauty all around. Highly recommend!
Great tour!
Venture747429,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Allie and team were amazing guides! Everything was fun and set up perfectly. We had a great tour!
Top notch experience
thomasdN1003NE,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This kayaking tour was really enjoyable. I was concerned at first since temperatures overnight were in the 30s and at the 8:30 launch time were only about 40, but with layers and a bit of sunshine that proved not to be an issue. Our group ranged from inexperienced to moderately experienced kayakers, so we started slowly. Our guide, Annie, was a patient and skilled instructor for the less experienced members and soon had them up to speed. We went past a place where the hot water from the thermal pools poured into the lake and right over bubbling underwater fumaroles. Annie had a large fund of stories and facts about the local wildlife, plants, thermal features and other aspects of Yellowstone. She fielded deeper questions from a couple of knowledgeable members. Expert kayakers might find this tour a bit slow but for most people it really hits the sweet spot. Highly recommended.
Be Warned: Waves like sea kayaking / Great Guide
Guide725654,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00First of all, be aware that this is not calm water kayaking. This lake is large enough to be affected by lunar tides and typically strong winds, and so it was more like sea kayaking. I was not aware of this before arriving, otherwise I would not have reserved it because I'm not comfortable with kayaking those conditions. I gave it a try but didn't get far before I had to turn back. The tour operator told me they'd add a note to the listing about the waves, but I don't see one yet. It turned out that it was a good thing we turned back for me, because after the rest of the group went back out, the winds kicked up and sent them back due to dangerous wave heights. If we hadn't delayed, they'd have been too far along to turn back and would have had to beach & wait for the guide to hike back for the truck (which, he said, was rare). So, the rest of our group didn't get to the geyser basin, either. The guide was very nice - helpful & personable - and they had plenty of equipment to borrow. If we had completed our tour, I'm sure we'd have enjoyed it (those of us who were ok with the conditions). We tipped the guide for his kindness & work, and when the operator offered a full refund we accepted half since some of us enjoyed the short paddle.
Annie was a top-notch...
Thomas D,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Annie was a top-notch guide. She was patient with some novice kayaking, full of nature facts and stories.
A+ Kayak Tour
699rachelz,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour, helpful & friendly staff, knowledgeable guide! This was a neat way to see Yellowstone. I highly recommend this tour!
Wonderful sunset paddle on Yellowstone Lake,e.
JerryInDC,Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Spencer was engaging and knowledgeable. The paddle to the geothermal features was wonderful. We even saw a rainbow! The short break on the beach was also a great idea.
Our guide was excellent -...
Laura H,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was excellent - informative, capable, and fun - which adds to the enjoyment of the experience. We had wonderful weather for our paddle, but you need to be prepared for the weather to change the overall experience making it more difficult if there is wind and wavers.
Related Experiences
Operated by Shurr Adventures Everglades