Boating is allowed on most lakes in Yellowstone National Park during boating season with a valid boat inspection and permit. In order to protect yourself and park resources, familiarize yourself with all regulations prior to launching your watercraft.
Safety
Exploring Yellowstone’s lakes by boat offers a great way to see the park from a different perspective. However, boating in the Northern Rockies presents significant risks. Water temperatures of park lakes are extremely cold (in the 40s Fahrenheit) in June and may only reach the 60s by late summer. In addition, sudden strong winds can produce waves of three to five feet in height, making open-water crossings very dangerous.
Boating Regulations
Boating season begins the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (usually the last weekend in May) and extends through October 31.
All park rivers are closed to boating except for the section of the Lewis River between Lewis Lake and Shoshone Lake, which is open to non-motorized watercraft only.
All vessels must have a US Coast Guard approved, wearable PFD (Type I, II, III, or V) for each person on board.
Clean, drain, and dry your equipment before visiting Yellowstone.
Permits & Inspections
All watercraft, including angler float tubes and paddle boards, must pass a Yellowstone AIS inspection to receive a permit prior to launching. A boat arriving after hours cannot launch in park waters until it has fulfilled the Yellowstone AIS inspection requirement.
Upon exiting Yellowstone waters, boaters can receive an exit inspection and Yellowstone seal. Returning watercraft with an intact Yellowstone seal and inspection receipt can relaunch without an additional 30-day dry time.
Watercraft that leave the park for any period of time must be reinspected prior to relaunching in park waters.
Watercraft that arrive dirty or with standing water will be subject to decontamination.
Watercraft that does not pass inspection will be denied launch.
Inspection Locations
Permit & Inspection Location
Status
2024 Dates
2024 Hours
Notes
Bridge Bay Ranger Station
Open
May 25–September 22
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Contact: (406) 823-9006
Grant Ranger Station
Open
May 25–October 31
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Contact: (406) 581-9040
Lewis Lake Ranger Station
Open
May 26–October 31
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Contact: (406) 581-9040
Bechler Ranger Station
Open
June 10–TBD
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Angler float tubes only
Mammoth Backcountry Office
Open
May 15–TBD
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Angler float tubes only
Northeast Entrance Station
Open
May 25–TBD
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Angler float tubes only
Snake River Backcountry Office
Open
May 23–TBD
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Angler float tubes only
Tower-Roosevelt Backcountry Office
Open
May 15–TBD
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Angler float tubes only
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Station Backcountry Office
Open
May 23–TBD
8:00 am–4:30 pm
Angler float tubes only
Boating Permit Fees
Non-motorized: $20 for 7 days or $30 for the season
Motorized: $40 for 7 days or $60 for the season
Includes the required aquatic invasive species inspection. Fees are payable by debit or credit card.
The use of jet skis, personal watercraft*, airboats, submersibles, and similar vessels is prohibited in Yellowstone.
Towing water skiers, wakeboards, parasails, or performing similar activities is prohibited.
*A personal watercraft is defined as a vessel, usually less than 16' in length, which uses an inboard engine to power a water jet pump as its primary source of propulstion. The vessel is intended to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than within the confines of the hull.
Non-motorized Watercraft
Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and other non-motorized boats are permitted on all lakes except Sylvan Lake, Eleanor Lake, Twin Lakes, and Beach Springs Lagoon.
Other Regulations
Swimming in the Bridge Bay Marina Channel is prohibited.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides boat rentals and guided boat trips at Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. Other companies offer guided services for canoeing, kayaking, and motorized boating.