Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travel Guide

The Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travel Guide is a resource for those planning to tour Yellowstone National Park and/or Grand Teton National Park. The adjacent national parks are typically visited at the same time and offer very different experiences. Yellowstone offers the world's largest concentration of thermal features such as geysers and hot pools. Grand Teton features one of the world's most spectacular mountain ranges. Both parks offer outstanding opportunities to view wildlife.

Using the Interactive Map

Place your mouse pointer on any KEY item or place name on the map. A brief description will appear. Click on the box for a link to detailed information. For easiest use, scroll map to top. Detailed Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Park Map in separate window.

Grant Village & West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake

Grant Village is located along the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. The lake is often considered the "jewel" of Yellowstone National Park. The beautiful lake with its deep-blue waters is the largest natural freshwater lake in the United States above 7,000 feet and one of the largest such lakes in the world. The lake is roughly 20 miles long and 14 miles across with a depth over 300 feet in the West Thumb area.

Fishing and boating are popular on the lake. You can launch your own boat at the marina or rent a boat. Guided boat tours and fishing trips are also available. The lake has the largest population of wild cutthroat trout in North America. However much larger lake trout, a non-native species, was illegally introduced to Yellowstone Lake and threatens the native cutthroat trout. Unfortunately Whirling disease is also present in the area. You need a Yellowstone National Park permit for both fishing and boating. See Fishing in Yellowstone (NPS).

The West Thumb Geyser Basin is much smaller than the Old Faithful area but is quite interesting due to having the lake as a backdrop. A short 3/8 mile trail covers the basin. There are several scenic hot springs, including the Abyss Pool shown above. Another interesting feature is the Fishing Cone (shown, below left), a steam vent just off shore. In years past, it was exceedingly popular to catch a fish in the lake, then place it over the cone to be cooked. This dangerous practice is now prohibited, as the Fishing Cone can and does erupt on occasion without any warning.

The are several good hiking trails in the area, ranging from one to 17 miles. The Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail, two miles roundtrip, climbs to a meadow with a nice view of the lake. The Duck Lake Trail is only one mile. A link to the complete list is provided below.

Helpful links

 Detailed Map of Grant area.
 Hikes in the West Thumb area.
 Natural features in Grant/West Thumb area. Includes Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin, and more.
 Grant Trip Planner. Official NPS guide.

Services in area

Food and Lodging at Grant Village

 Grant Village Lodge. Late May to late September. Located on west side of Yellowstone Lake, about 22 miles from South Entrance. Motel-style rooms in six two-story buildings. Telephones. Some ADA accessible rooms. Two restaurants, lounge, gift shop. Rooms can accomodate up to four people. Moderate.

Camping at Grant Village

 Grant Village Campground. Late June to late September. Located on west side of Yellowstone Lake, about 22 miles from South Entrance. Large campground with over 400 sites. Flush toilets. Services, stores, showers, and laundry nearby. Short drive to West Thumb Geyser Basin. Half of sites in meadow area with no shade; others are wooded. Forested campground, well spaced out. Modern facility. Tent-only loops available. Generators 8am-8pm. Reservations available.

Nearest Visitor Center

The Grant Village Visitor Center is open late May to late September and is located on the shore of the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. The locale is controversial for being in prime grizzly bear habitat. The center's exhibits focus on the effect of wildfire, particularly the 1988 fire which ravaged the park. Also, an information center and Yellowstone Association bookstore. The historic West Thumb Information Station also serves as a Yellowstone Association sales outlet as well as a meeting place for interpretive walks and talks during the summer season.

Other services in area

Food services, general stores, gift shops, gas station, post office, and boat rentals and fishing charters.

Yellowstone National Park Guide Index

• Introduction & Index to Yellowstone National Park
• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Tower Fall & Roosevelt
• Canyon Village & Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Norris Area & Norris Geyer Basin
• Madison Junction
• Old Faithful, Lower & Upper Geyser Basin
• Lake Village, Bridge Bay, & Fishing Bridge
• Grant Village & West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake
• Camping in Yellowstone
• Park Lodging & Travel Services
• Where to View Wildlife
  
  
• Introduction to Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone & Grand Teton Guide Home Page
• Northern Rockies Travel Guide