Things to do / Travel Guide
Home to pristine lakes so expansive they have been referred to as inland seas, and the site of Wyoming's largest river, theYellowstone offers its visitors a variety of water-based activities. From classic wooden dories to 16-person inflatable rafts, boating is a popular way to embrace Yellowstone's natural beauty, and the parks offer plenty of opportunities to set sail.
Boating in Yellowstone Park
The sheer expanse of Yellowstone Lake will have visitors wondering if they somehow took a wrong turn and hit the sea. With 110 miles of shoreline, 20 miles from north to south and 14 miles east to west, the Lake is a magnificent site for visitors to the Park, who will be surprised by its changing moods. One minute the lake will be still and calm, and the next its waters will turn and sway, rolling with waves. This makes for some diverse boating options, but can be rather dangerous for small boats. Boat rentals in Yellowstone Park (including rowboats and motorboats) are available from Bridge Bay Marina, where scenic boat trips and guided fishing trips also run several times a day in the summer.
Private boat owners will need to purchase a boat permit from the Yellowstone visitors' center or rangers' station. Watercraft is not allowed on any streams except for the Lewis River Channel between Shoshone and Lewis Lakes. Motorboats are only allowed on Lewis Lake and parts of Yellowstone Lake. Shoshone Lake is one of the most visited parts of Yellowstone's backcountry, but does not have direct road access.
Boating on Jackson Lake, Grand Teton National Park
Boating in Grand Teton promises some of the most dramatic views of the region, as the jagged rise of the Teton Range contrasts against the glacial lakes at the mountains' base. Visitors can experience the striking beauty from Jackson Lake, where sail boating, water skiing and windsurfing are allowed, as is the use of motorboats and other human powered vessels. The lake has three marinas; open from May to late September. Visitors to Signal Mountain Lodge Marina can rent water ski boats and skis, deck cruisers, fishing boats, pontoon boats, nightly buoys and other equipment. Colter Bay Marina is extremely busy in the summer, when motorboat, rowboat and canoe rentals are available, as well as guides who can help direct fishers to the hot fishing spots. Jackson lake cruises and cruise-and-dine trips are also available form this dock.
Human-powered vessels are permitted on Jackson, Jenny, Phelps, Emma Matilda, Two Ocean, Taggart, Bradley, Bear Paw, Leigh and String lakes. As with Yellowstone, permits are required for all watercraft in the park. These can be purchased at the visitor centers in Moose, Jenny Lake or Colter Bay.
Boating on the Buffalo Bill Reservoir – Cody, WY
Buffalo Bill State Park, located just six miles west of Cody, is home to Buffalo Bill Reservoir; a beautiful lake surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Absaroka Mountain range. The park offers excellent trout fishing, and is the state's premier wind surfing reservoir. Three boat ramps are located on the reservoir, which has a water surface covering about 8,000 acres. The reservoir was created by the Buffalo Bill Dam, built in 1910 to be the tallest in the country. Originally the dam was 325 feet high – the highest in the world. Today it is listed in the National Register of Historic places as a major engineering achievement – one of the first high concrete dams to be built in the US.
For another popular boating destination, try Boysen Reservoir, located in Wind River Country between Riverton and Thermopolis, which offers many convenient onsite services and is a treat for water sports enthusiasts and fishers. Freemont Lake, the second largest natural lake in Wyoming, is also a popular boating spot. It is located in south central Wyoming in the Pinedale region.
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