Lewis Lake
Mirror-calm Lewis Lake at 7,782 ft; fed by the Lewis River and warmed by springs.
Dawn light on the lake yields the best reflections;
Check wind forecasts before your walk;
Morning fog mirrors the lake at dawn; alpenglow on the mountains at sunset
Water is icy (≈41°F/5°C) even in summer. Bears occur in the area; carry bear spray and follow bear safety protocols. Wind and waves can make the lake dangerous…
Natural Attraction
Gray-blue water mirrors the pines and the distant Tetons. Morning fog can lock the surface in a glassy sheet, then a breeze lifts the stillness. The lake is a hydrologic node: the Lewis River feeds Lewis Lake, which drains toward the Snake River, with warm springs infusing the shorelines.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- From the South Entrance, follow US-287/89/191 along the east side of Lewis Lake to the Lewis Channel Trailhead or Lewis Lake Campground; park and access the shore via the Lewis River Channel Trail or continue along the north shore via the Lewis Lake Trail
- Distance From Entrance
- Varies
- Road Type
- Paved
- Parking Availability
- Parking at the Lewis Channel Trailhead; additional parking at Lewis Lake Campground
- Peak Fill Times
- Early morning
- GPS Coordinates
- 44°18′16″N 110°37′46″W
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Late spring, summer, and fall. The Lewis Lake Campground operates mid-June to early November. Morning fog creates mirror-like conditions; alpenglow lights the Tetons at sunset.
- Best Visit Times
- Mid-June to early September; mornings for fog-mirror conditions; alpenglow at sunset
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Morning fog mirrors the lake at dawn; alpenglow on the mountains at sunset
- Best Season
- Late spring through fall
- Busiest Season
- Mid-July to August
- Seasonal Access
- Campground open mid-June to early November; road access generally seasonal and weather-influenced
- Road Opening Dates
- Late May–October
- Snow Lingering
- April–June
- Winter Access
- Not accessible by vehicle; limited winter access via snow routes
- Weather Patterns
- Wind can develop quickly; weather can shift to storms; cool nights persist
- Wildflower Peak
- July–August
- Fall Colors Peak
- September–October
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Geological Feature
- Main Features
- Lewis Lake; Lewis River inflow/outflow; NW and southern shore hot springs; proximity to Lewis Falls and Pitchstone Plateau
- What Youll See
- Calm blue-green lake, pine-dominated shoreline, and distant Teton peaks; the Lewis River winds along the shore with canyon glimpses to the south
- Unique Characteristics
- One of Yellowstone's four largest lakes; high-elevation lacustrine system at 7,782 ft; connects hydrologically to the Snake River drainage; geothermal inputs from nearby springs
- Photo Opportunities
- Dawn fog reflections, glassy surfaces at calm mornings, and alpenglow on the peaks at sunset
- Photography Spots
- Lakeside views from the shoreline; dawn reflections; Tetons framed by pines
- Best Viewpoints
- Along the lakeshore from the Lewis River Channel Trail; vantage toward the Teton range with the lake in the foreground
- Common Wildlife
- Elk, moose, pronghorn, bears (grizzly and black), river otters
- Best Wildlife Times
- Spring and fall; dawn and dusk
- Geological Formation Type
- Lacustrine basin
- Scientific Interest
- Yellowstone hydrology and the influence of geothermal inputs on lake chemistry; connection to Snake River drainage
- Stargazing Quality
- Dark skies with low light pollution; best after midnight on clear nights
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- Varies
- Permits Required
- No
- Restrooms Available
- Yes
- Restroom Type
- Vault toilets
- Picnic Areas
- Yes
- Water Available
- Yes
- Cell Service
- No cell service
- Interpretive Signs
- No
- Accessibility
- Campground facilities are accessible; trails are gravel/dirt with limited gradient changes; interpretive signage at Lewis Lake is not explicitly listed
- Accessibility Level
- Drive-up view; campground has accessible facilities; trails are mostly compacted gravel/dirt with limited gradient changes
- Nearby Services
- Grant Village (~10 miles north); Lewis Lake Campground facilities
- Nearby Facilities
- Grant Village, Lewis Lake Campground, picnic area, vault toilets, potable water at campground
- Family Friendly Notes
- Bear country; keep children close; supervise near water and on trails; follow campground rules
Safety
- Safety Considerations
- Water is icy (≈41°F/5°C) even in summer. Bears occur in the area; carry bear spray and follow bear safety protocols. Wind and waves can make the lake dangerous; stay back from shore and supervise children. There is no barrier or railing along most edges and cell service is absent.
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- Shoshone Lake, Lewis Falls, Pitchstone Plateau, Grant Village
- Connecting Trails
- Lewis River Channel Trail, Lewis Lake Trail
- Trailheads Here
- Lewis Channel Trailhead; Lewis Lake Trail
Planning advice
- Insider Tips
- Dawn light on the lake yields the best reflections;
- Check wind forecasts before your walk;
- Carry bear spray and follow bearsafety;
- Download offline maps due to lack of cell service;
- Parking available at the trailhead and campground
- Tips Advice
- Look for morning fog that creates a mirror on the lake; calm conditions often occur at dawn.
- Bear spray is recommended on trails; stay on established paths and keep children close.
- Water is very cold (about 41°F / 5°C) in summer; dress in layers and avoid swimming.
- Cell service is unavailable at Lewis Lake Campground; download maps offline and plan ahead.
- Parking is available at the Lewis Channel Trailhead and at the Lewis Lake Campground; arrive early in peak season.
- Lewis River Channel Trail is 2.8 miles round trip with light elevation gain; Lewis Lake Trail runs along the north shore for over eight miles.
More details
- Park Area
- Yellowstone National Park
- Elevation Feet
- 7782
- Visitor Center Present
- No
- Guided Tours Available
- No
- Waterfall Height
- 30
- Lake Size
- 2700 acres
- Fishing Nearby
- No
- Swimming Allowed
- No
- Boating Allowed
- No
- Climbing Areas
- No
- Review Summary
- Rating 4.7 from 29 reviews. Lewis Lake sits at roughly 7,800 feet and spans about 2,700 acres, with easy drive-in access via US-191. The area offers a quiet, high-elevation setting near Yellowstone's broader landscape. Visitors describe calm mornings suitable for wildlife watching, but be aware that wind can create waves, the water rarely exceeds 50°F (10°C), and cell service is limited across much of the park.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?
Parking exists at the Lewis Channel Trailhead and Lewis Lake Campground, but spaces fill during peak season; arriving early improves chances of a convenient spot.
Is the 2.8-mile Lewis River Channel Trail to the lakeshore worth the effort?
Yes. It yields immediate lake views, access to reflective mornings, and a clear line of sight toward the distant Tetons with light elevation gain.
Can I bring my dog to the Lewis Lake area?
Dogs are allowed in Yellowstone but must remain on leash where permitted; check local rules before hiking the channels or shoreline.
Is the water actually cold, or is it just photos?
The water averages about 41°F (5°C) in summer; prepare for near-freezing immersion and avoid swimming unless properly equipped.
Is there cell service at Lewis Lake?
No. There is no cell service at the campground; plan ahead and download maps offline.
More at Yellowstone National Park
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Yellowstone Lake
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Lake Butte Overlook
Panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake from the caldera rim; distant Tetons on clear days.
Artist Point
Lower Falls overlook; canyon walls colored by hydrothermal alteration of rhyolite.
Gibbon River
84 ft Gibbon Falls; river through hydrothermal basins along Grand Loop Road.
Gibbon Falls
84-foot cascade over an ancient Yellowstone lava flow; drive-up overlook with a wheelchair-friendly path.
Sources
- alibaba.com
- wikipedia.org
- npshistory.com
- yellowstone.net
- visit-bozeman.com
- parkcation.com
- nps.gov
- recreation.gov
- thedyrt.com
- campobserver.com
- campsitephotos.com
- 10adventures.com
- yellowstonetrips.com
- yellowstonenationalparklodges.com
- reddit.com
- yellowstoneexplored.com
- gutenberg.org
- Current time information in Teton County, US.
- hipcamp.com
- yellowstoneparknet.com
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
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.