Prevent the transport of aquatic invasive species to Yellowstone by making sure you clean, drain, and dry your boat before you arrive.
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 on park lakes are in the 40s (Fahrenheit) in June, and may reach the 60s by late summer. In addition, sudden strong winds can produce three to five foot waves, making open-water crossings very dangerous. Boaters in canoes, kayaks, and other small craft must be aware of these hazards and plan accordingly.
Guided Trips & Rentals
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.
Permits & Inspections
The boating season has ended.
The season will reopen on May 27, 2023.
If you plan to use your own boat or angler float tube, you’ll need a permit and a Yellowstone aquatic invasive species inspection. You can speed up the inspection process by arriving with a boat that is clean, drained, and dry. Watercraft that arrive dirty or with standing water will be subject to decontamination. Watercraft that cannot be properly decontaminated will be prohibited from launching.
All watercraft, including angler float tubes, must pass a Yellowstone AIS inspection before a boating permit can be issued.
NPS / Jacob W. Frank
Locations
Permits and inspections are issued at the locations listed below. These facilities are open seven days a week from 8 am to 4:30 pm during the summer season. Boating season opens on the Saturday of Memorial day and ends October 31.
The following fees are charged for boating permits (includes required aquatic invasive species inspection):
Non-motorized: $20 for 7 days or $30 for the season
Motorized: $40 for 7 days or $60 for the season
Payable by debit or credit card.
Status of Docks:
Docks on Wolf Bay, Eagle Bay, Plover Point, and Frank Island have been removed for the season.(10/5/22)
Regulations
Boating season begins the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (usually the last weekend in May) and extends through October 31.
Transporting or introducing invasive species is prohibited: make sure you clean, drain, and dry boats and gear before arriving for your AIS inspection.
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.
Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and other non-motorized boats are permitted on all lakes except Sylvan Lake, Eleanor Lake, Twin Lakes, and Beach Springs Lagoon.
All vessels must have a US Coast Guard approved, wearable PFD (Type I, II, III, or V) for each person on board.
Vessels must not exceed 40 feet in length.
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.
Swimming in the Bridge Bay Marina Channel is prohibited.