Yellowstone Lake, with nearly 132 square miles of water and 141 miles of shoreline, is a watery portal to backcountry adventure. Filled by the Yellowstone River and dozens of smaller tributaries, the lake is the largest in North America above 7,000 feet. Here paddlers enjoy the solitude of wilderness and the moose, elk, pelicans, bald eagles and the other wildlife that go with it.

The lake’s three arms – Flat Mountain Arm, the South Arm and the Southeastern Arm – are the primary destinations. From Grant Village, paddlers round Breeze Point and head south towards Flat Mountain Arm, which makes a good first night’s stopping point for those heading deeper into the backcountry.

From Flat Mountain Arm, the South Arm is the closest destination. Slip around Plover Point and you quickly can descend into the arm. The Southeast Arm is best reached either by putting your kayak or canoe on one of Xanterra’s power boats and letting it ferry you to the top of the arm, or by crossing over from the South Arm.
While most who venture onto Yellowstone Lake do so for at least several days, day trips can be launched from Sedge Bay, Bridge Bay, or Grant Village.