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.
Before launching in Yellowstone, ALL watercraft—both motorized and non-motorized—must pass a Yellowstone AIS inspection and receive a permit. This requirement includes but is not limited to:
Any boat with a motor
Canoes
Kayaks
Paddleboards
Inflatable boats & angler float tubes
Important Reminders:
Clean, Drain and Dry your watercraft, trailer, motor, and gear—every time, everywhere.
Boats arriving after inspection hours cannot launch until they have completed the required Yellowstone AIS inspection.
Watercraft that do not pass inspection will be denied launch.
Any watercraft that leaves the park must be reinspected before re-entering park waters.
Banned Watercraft & Equipment
Watercraft with evidence of dead or live quagga or zebra mussels.
Watercraft previously fouled with mussels, regardless of cleaning or dry time.
Watercraft equipped with a ballast tank or similar areas that cannot be visually inspected.
Felt-soled footwear.
30-Day Dry Time Requirements
A 30-day dry time is required for all sailboats and certain motorized boats (inboard, inboard/outboard, or inboard jet drives). Without a valid AIS inspection receipt and intact seal demonstrating a 30-day day dry time, these boats will be denied launch. Boats with outboard motors and non-motorized boats are exempt from the 30-day dry time.
In addition to Yellowstone National Park seals, the park also honors inspection receipts and seals from these agencies:
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.
Inspection Locations
Permit & Inspection Location
Status
2025 Dates
2025 Hours
Additional Information
Bridge Bay Ranger Station
Closed
May 24 - September 15
8am - 4:30pm
Contact (406) 823-9006 during operating hours.
Grant Ranger Station
Closed
May 24 - October 31
8am - 4:30pm
Contact (406) 581-9040 during operating hours.
Lewis Lake Ranger Station
Closed
May 24 - October 31*
8am - 4:30pm
Contact (406) 581-9040 during operating hours.
Bechler Ranger Station
Closed
June 14 - October 13
8am - 4:30pm
Angler float tubes only
Mammoth Backcountry Office
Closed
May 24 - October 5
8am - 4:30pm
Angler float tubes only
Northeast Entrance Station
Closed
May 24 - October 13
8am - 2pm (Fri - Sun)
Angler float tubes only
Snake River Backcountry Office
Closed
May 24 - October 13
8am - 4:30pm
Angler float tubes only
Tower-Roosevelt Backcountry Office
Closed
June 6 - September 15
8am - 4:30pm
Angler float tubes only
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Station Backcountry Office
Closed
May 24 - October 5
8am - 4:30pm
Angler float tubes only
*Dates are subject to change based on ice conditions on the lake.
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.
