Natural Attraction

Earthquake Lake

Natural Attraction★ 4.8
Earthquake Lake reflects a deep blue water surrounded by forested hills in Yellowstone National Park.

Turquoise water runs along a six-mile-long lake, set against a broad landslide scar on Sheep Mountain. The lake formed when a massive rock avalanche dammed the Madison River during the 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake. It stands as a stark, real-world example of tectonic forces reshaping the landscape in moments.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates
44°49′51″N 111°25′32″W
Accessibility
Visitor Center and some paths accessible

Conditions & safety

Permits Required
0

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions
Earthquake Lake Visitor Center; Highway 287 overlooks; West Yellowstone; Madison River
Nearby Facilities
Earthquake Lake Visitor Center with restrooms, potable water, interpretive signs; pull-outs and overlooks along Highway 287
Best Time To Visit
Summer (late May–mid-September) when the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center is open and roads are clear; sunrise and sunset yield the best light.
Tips Advice
  • Look for the broad landslide scar along Sheep Mountain from the visitor center overlooks.
  • The Madison River water is bitterly cold—dress in layers and be prepared for wind.
  • Bear spray is recommended in this wildlife-rich area.
  • Stay on designated paths and overlooks; rockfall remains a risk near the scar.
  • Parking can fill on peak days; plan accordingly.
Insider Tips
  • Visit the Visitor Center for safe overlooks;
  • Check the auto tour route interpretive signs;
  • Bring warm layers;
  • Parking can be tight in peak season

More details

Park Area
Yellowstone National Park
Family Friendly Notes
Overlooks; keep children away from edges; wildlife safety
Attraction Type
Geological Formation
Elevation Feet
6391
Distance From Entrance
Varies
Accessibility Level
Drive-up view; some paths accessible
How To Get There
Take US-287 to the Earthquake Lake area; the Visitor Center sits above the landslide debris with overlooks along Highway 287.
Parking Availability
Parking available at Earthquake Lake Visitor Center.
Road Type
Paved highway with pull-outs along the lake
Seasonal Access
Summer through early fall; roads clear
Entry Fees
Varies
Main Features
Natural dam formed by a landslide; 6 miles long lake; landslide scar and Madison River dam
What Youll See
Landslide debris visible along the scar; the lake on the Madison River; overlooks; surrounding mountains
Unique Characteristics
One of the most dramatic quake-triggered dam formations; formed in 1959 during the Hebgen Lake earthquake; 28 lives lost
Safety Considerations
Gravity: rockfall risk from the landslide scar; Temperature: cold water risk for hypothermia; Wind: afternoon gusts; Geological instability: monitor for ongoing hazards; Bear spray recommended; sturdy footwear; stay on marked paths
Best Viewpoints
Earthquake Lake Visitor Center overlooks; Highway 287 pull-outs
Photo Opportunities
Sunrise lighting on the lake; reflections on calm water; scar detail in late day light
Photography Spots
Overlooks at the Visitor Center; pull-outs along Highway 287; shoreline reflections
Stargazing Quality
Excellent on clear nights; high desert skies
Sunrise Sunset Quality
Alpenglow on surrounding peaks; sunrise light on the lake
Visitor Center Present
1
Restrooms Available
1
Picnic Areas
0
Interpretive Signs
1
Cell Service
Spotty
Water Available
1
Guided Tours Available
0
Trailheads Here
Memorial Boulder Trail; Refuge Point Trail (1.5-mile round-trip in winter)
Connecting Trails
Memorial Boulder Trail, Refuge Point Trail
Nearby Services
Restrooms and potable water at the Visitor Center; interpretive signs along the Earthquake Lake Geologic Area auto tour route
Common Wildlife
Bighorn sheep; deer; elk; various birds
Best Wildlife Times
Fall for elk activity; dawn/dusk for mammals
Fall Colors Peak
Late September to early October
Geological Formation Type
Natural dam formed by landslide (quake dam)
Scientific Interest
Visible evidence of a large earthquake triggering rapid landslide, damming a river; part of the Intermountain Seismic Belt; studied for seismic hazards
Road Opening Dates
Varies
Snow Lingering
Varies
Winter Access
Refuge Point Trail is a 1.5-mile round-trip snowshoe hike in winter
Best Visit Times
Summer
Best Season
Summer
Weather Patterns
Windy afternoons; rapidly changing mountain weather; potential afternoon storms
Peak Fill Times
Varies
Busiest Season
Summer; July and August
Lake Size
6 miles long, ~0.25 miles wide
Fishing Species
Rainbow trout, cutthroat trout
Fishing Nearby
0
Swimming Allowed
0
Boating Allowed
0
Climbing Areas
0
Review Summary
Visitors are drawn to the dramatic origin and accessible viewpoints; the interpretive signs help connect the story to geology; note cell service is spotty.

Location

Earthquake Lake, Yellowstone National Park — view of the river carving a basin with forested slopes and exposed earth along a rocky canyon.Earthquake Lake overlook with interpretive panels at Yellowstone National Park, illustrating the 1959 quake and lake formation.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?

Parking can fill on peak summer days; arriving early helps secure a spot at the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center.

Is it worth the drive if I’m not a geology buff?

Yes: the dramatic formation is an immediate demonstration of tectonic forces, and the overlook and interpretive signs make the science accessible for any visitor.

Is the area accessible for someone with limited mobility?

The visitor center and some nearby paths are accessible.

Is bear spray recommended here?

Bear spray is recommended in this wildlife-rich area.

Is there a fee to view Earthquake Lake?

Entry to the viewing areas is free; fees, if any, apply to specific tours or facilities at the Visitor Center.

Firehole River

Rhyolite canyon walls frame a geothermal-warmed Firehole River, with Firehole Falls dropping 40 feet.

Slough Creek

Meadow stream, VIP Pool at Lamar confluence; shaped by fluvial erosion and glacial deposition.

Imperial Geyser

Imperial Geyser erupts from a 75×100 ft pool; silica-lined conduits feed vivid runoff mats.

Inspiration Point

Promontory overlooking the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; rhyolite walls reveal millions of years of erosion.

Upper Falls View

Upper Falls, 109 ft drop over rhyolite—river erosion in a hydrothermally altered canyon.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.