Ribbon Lake Trail

Logs litter the shore of a lake surrounded by a conifer forest.
Clear Lake is one of the lakes along Ribbon Lake Trail.

NPS/Neal Herbert

The trail beings across the road to the south at the Clear Lake trailhead. At the Clear Lake junction turn left. Continue on the trail following the junction signs until you reach Ribbon Lake. Return via the same route, or make an alternate loop by taking a right at the Lily Pad Lake Junction. After .03 mile (0.4 km,) you will reach another junction for Point Sublime and Artist Point. Head west towards Artist Point. Continue to the Artist Point parking area. At the southwest end of the Artist Point parking area connect with the paved South Rim trail. Follow the South Rim Trail along the canyon edge back to your car.

Safety notes: Clear Lake is a hydrothermal area. Stay on the designated trail at all times.

Trailheads: 2.3 miles south of the Canyon Junction on the South Rim Drive at Uncle Tom’s Point parking area. Check the Canyon Area Construction page for details about the temporary access to this trail.

Details
This is a 5.8-mile (9.3-kilometer) there-and-back trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
This trail is in the central part of the park, on the south side of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

More on Day Hikes in Yellowstone

Hikers standing on the rocky top of Avalanche Peak with Yellowstone Lake in the background.

Yellowstone Day Hikes

Lace up your boots and explore some of the over 1,000 miles of trails in Yellowstone National Park.

Waterfall drops down into the steep, yellow-wall lined canyon with conifer forests growing around.

Canyon Area Day Hikes

Explore lakes and mountaintops for a variety of experiences around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

Last updated: July 5, 2018