Lake Yellowstone and Jackson Adventure

by  EllenJo
  • Lake Yellowstone from Bridger Bay

    Lake Yellowstone from Bridger Bay

  • Lake Yellowstone

    Lake Yellowstone

  • Further from the West Thumb Geyser Basin on Lake Yellowstone

    Further from the West Thumb Geyser Basin on Lake Yellowstone

  • Grant Village Marina put-in on Lake Yellowstone

    Grant Village Marina put-in on Lake Yellowstone

  • Paddling to the West Thumb Geyser Basin on Lake Yellowstone

    Paddling to the West Thumb Geyser Basin on Lake Yellowstone

  • Don paddling Lake Yellowstone

    Don paddling Lake Yellowstone

  • Goldeneye ducks galore on Lake Yellowstone

    Goldeneye ducks galore on Lake Yellowstone

  • Mount Moran on Jackson Lake from Colter Bay

    Mount Moran on Jackson Lake from Colter Bay

  • Don paddling Jackson Lake

    Don paddling Jackson Lake

  • Glorious views on Jackson Lake

    Glorious views on Jackson Lake

  • More Jackson Lake

    More Jackson Lake

  • Ellen paddling Jackson Lake

    Ellen paddling Jackson Lake

  • Waterfall on Jenny Lake

    Waterfall on Jenny Lake

  • Jenny Lake's clear waters

    Jenny Lake's clear waters

  • Ellen paddling Jenny Lake

    Ellen paddling Jenny Lake


A self-supported trip created by EllenJo

Trip Overview

We've visited Yellowstone and the Tetons many times and always longed for our kayaks, so two years ago we set up a road trip to take them with us last year. The floods postponed our plans by a year, but we finally made it! You can't rent kayaks on Lake Yellowstone [though there are long guided trips], but you can rent in Jackson. We found Lake Yellowstone beautiful but not as memorable. Jackson Lake is spectacular, though. The mountains rise up out of the ground, their majesty compelling. We also circumnavigated Jenny Lake. The first half was a delight, but we hit severe winds on the way back and there was no safe take-out and no indication that waiting it out would work. Of course, no sooner did we reach dry land than the winds died down for a while. Totally worth the effort, though!

Safety Notes

Be prepared for unexpected and unpredictable weather challenges.

Gear Notes

We brought and paddled our Swift Saranec 15s.

Conditions

Beautiful water, but winds and thunder.

Trip Details

  • Trip Dates: 9/5/2023-9/15/2023
  • Sport/Activity: Kayaking
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Water Type: Flat/Sheltered Water

Trip Location