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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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.
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
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4-Hour Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch
Reviews
160 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great day on the yellowstone lake.
686timmyr,,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super cool day on the yellowstone lake. Very friendly guides and the jokes were coming from all sides haha. Got to see a big bunch of elk and even saw the bauld Eagle which was cool. Value for money is amazing and not to mention the lunch they provided everyone at the end included in the price of the trip was fantastic!! I have never had a turkey sandwich so packed in all my life, was great and left the trip with a full belly. Definitely coming back next season to book again with friends.
Stellar Kayak Tour
leejeanneg,,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The West Thumb Geyser kayak tour was absolutely stellar!!! Spencer was a great guide we had terrific weather! It was very cool to see where the geysers meet the water. The lunch was extremely generous with a sandwich, fruit, drinks, chips, granola bars and candy!!
Would DEF do again!
JonezKat81,,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We kayaked at 8am - freezing cold to start and gorgeous beautiful warm to end. Josh took great care of us, offering some interesting info about the area and making small talk. Lunch was hearty. Loved the whole morning!
Good time
Glenn H,,Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Could not ask for a more perfect experience. It was sunny, clear, and calm. The views were spectacular. Josh and Emily Jo were great guides.
Chill experience!
Steven P,,Sep 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Josh was an amazing guide! He made sure everyone was together and felt included and was very knowledgeable! It was a very fun experience. My girlfriend was very nervous because she’s never kayaked but afterward she said it was a very chill experience. I recommend it even if you are a beginner!
Don’t miss this tour
TexasHomey,,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was so much fun. You could see things from the water that you can’t see any other way. Josh and Spencer do a great job of showing you around, I recommend walking through the West Thumb basin before doing this tour so you have an appreciation of what you are seeing from the water. Don’t be afraid if you haven’t kayaked before. They tell you everything you need to know. We had a nice lunch after the tour on the shore of the lake. I highly recommend this tour as an awesome way to see Yellowstone and its amazing thermal features.
Book this tour!!
561makenak,,Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an awesome experience on lake Yellowstone! The water was crystal clear and our guide was super kind!! He was prompt on time and had answers to all of our questions. Lunch was also delish! Definitely would book again!!
Amazing Experience
C261HEjoem,,Sep 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife, daughter and her boyfriend were excited for this experience and it was beyond our expectations. Josh and Emily Jo were exceptional guides, had hats and water repellent apparel if needed and were very knowledgeable of the area, including wildlife info/sightings and special features of the lake, including the geyser that erupted sideways into the lake, which we were lucky to see live! The lunch was very satisfying after the excursion. It was evident Josh and Emily Jo enjoy their work and have a true passion for the outdoors. Highly suggest this experience! The Mueller Family St. Louis, MO
Great way to start the day!
Magda E,,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We absolutely loved our kayaking trip on the lake. It was one of many highlights of our visit to Yellowstone. The early morning on the peaceful lake was fantastic in itself, but having Josh's insights and commentary on several things Yellowstone really added to it. We were also really lucky to see the Arch geyser erupt! (After patiently waiting for 10 minutes or so watching "caveman TV"🤣) We came back to the beach to a simple and delicious lunch of sandwiches and snacks and the added benefit of conversation with the people in the group - always nice to chat to people who live in different countries from ourselves. I can 100% recommend this trip. A nice break from hunting for parking and walking on boardwalks.
Yellowstone hiking guides 4 hour kayak lake Yellowstone.
thomas p,,Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Josh our guide was both friendly and extremely knowledgeable and helpful We were first ones out on the water and the last ones back to the beach. And the brown bag lunch was awesome even got a lollipop. Great job.
From US$127.00
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