Slough Creek
Meadow stream, VIP Pool at Lamar confluence; shaped by fluvial erosion and glacial deposition.
Target dawn in Lamar Valley for wildlife silhouettes
Carry bear spray and keep distance from wildlife
Alpenglow potential; good sunrise over Lamar Valley; long shadows in late summer
Bear country; carry bear spray; swift water and cross-country terrain can be hazardous; weather can shift rapidly; no safety barriers along many portions
Natural Attraction
A broad meadow frames Slough Creek as it winds through grasses and cottonwoods. The VIP Pool at the confluence with the Lamar River rests along a quiet bend where Yellowstone cutthroat trout and wildlife gather. This meadow stream grew through fluvial erosion and glacial deposition, leaving a wide, flat floodplain that supports diverse life.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- Drive to Slough Creek Campground; park at the trailhead lot; access deeper meadows via hiking along the Slough Creek Trail.
- Distance From Entrance
- Varies
- Road Type
- Dirt road to campground; forest service dirt/trail beyond
- Parking Availability
- Fills early in peak seasons; stock trailers common in the lot
- Peak Fill Times
- Varies; parking commonly full by early morning in July–August
- GPS Coordinates
- 44.9488466, -110.3068792
When to go
- Best Time To Visit
- Optimal season runs from late spring through early fall. Fishing typically improves from late June or early July through mid-September. Snowmelt keeps the creek high, and it is often not fishable until around the second week of July. For photography and sight fishing, morning light enhances visibility in the clear, slow-moving water. The meadows have broad, open vistas, and morning fog is common during the still hours.
- Best Visit Times
- Early morning for wildlife viewing; late afternoon for photography; avoid midday glare
- Sunrise Sunset Quality
- Alpenglow potential; good sunrise over Lamar Valley; long shadows in late summer
- Best Season
- July–September
- Busiest Season
- July and August
- Seasonal Access
- Primarily July–September; winter access limited
- Road Opening Dates
- Seasonal; typically open late spring to fall; check current year closures
- Snow Lingering
- Snow can linger on trails into early summer
- Winter Access
- Limited; backcountry travel only with appropriate gear; not common for casual visits
- Weather Patterns
- Unpredictable; sudden storms possible; temperatures drop at night
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Geological Formation
- Main Features
- Meadow stream, wide floodplain, VIP Pool, confluence with Lamar River, upper meadow trails
- What Youll See
- Meadows, grasses, riparian shrubs, clear water, confluence pool, wildlife in Lamar Valley
- Unique Characteristics
- Adjacent to Lamar Valley wildlife corridor; classic Yellowstone cutthroat trout habitat; long meadow corridor shaped by repeated floodplain processes
- Photo Opportunities
- Golden-hour over meadows; dawn fog on the creek; reflections in clear water; wildlife silhouettes at the valley edge
- Photography Spots
- VIP Pool at the confluence; meadows along Slough Creek; early morning fog over water
- Best Viewpoints
- VIP Pool overlook at the Lamar River confluence; meadow edges along Slough Creek Trail; Lamar Valley viewpoints nearby
- Common Wildlife
- Bison, elk, wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, bighorn sheep, mule deer, moose, marmots, eagles, osprey
- Best Wildlife Times
- Dawn and dusk; Lamar Valley is adjacent and highly active during these times
- Geological Formation Type
- Meadow stream with floodplain; fluvial channel influenced by glacial deposits
- Scientific Interest
- Habitat for native trout; wildlife corridor proximity; visible interaction of glacial history and river dynamics
- Stargazing Quality
- Excellent; dark skies with minimal light pollution
Facilities, fees & access
- Entry Fees
- Park entrance fee applies; no separate attraction fee
- Permits Required
- 0
- Restrooms Available
- 1
- Restroom Type
- Vault toilets
- Picnic Areas
- 0
- Water Available
- 1
- Cell Service
- Not consistently available
- Interpretive Signs
- 1
- Accessibility
- One accessible campsite and accessible vault toilets; trails on compacted gravel/dirt
- Accessibility Level
- Primarily hike-in; one accessible campsite and vault toilets in campground
- Nearby Services
- Campground amenities; vault toilets; potable water via hand pump (boil water)
- Nearby Facilities
- Slough Creek Campground facilities; vault toilets; hand-pump water (boil before drinking)
- Family Friendly Notes
- Bear awareness essential; keep children close; stay on trails and away from water edges
Safety
- Safety Considerations
- Bear country; carry bear spray; swift water and cross-country terrain can be hazardous; weather can shift rapidly; no safety barriers along many portions
Nearby
- Nearby Attractions
- Lamar Valley wildlife viewing; Slough Creek Campground; Absaroka-Beartooth wilderness
- Connecting Trails
- Slough Creek Trail to park boundary; connections to Lamar Valley trails
- Trailheads Here
- Slough Creek Trailhead
Planning advice
- Insider Tips
- Target dawn in Lamar Valley for wildlife silhouettes
- Carry bear spray and keep distance from wildlife
- The first meadow is approximately 2 miles from the trailhead; plan for 4–8 miles for upper meadows
- Tips Advice
- Park early; the Slough Creek Trailhead lot fills during peak seasons and wildlife events.
- Bear spray is essential in this bear country; stay on established routes.
- Dawn and dusk are prime times for wildlife watching in the Lamar Valley.
- Crossing the creek can be challenging in early season; carry traction devices and use designated crossing points.
More details
- Park Area
- Yellowstone National Park
- Recent Updates
- Seasonal variability; no major infrastructure changes reported
- Elevation Feet
- 6250
- Visitor Center Present
- 0
- Guided Tours Available
- 0
- Fishing Species
- Yellowstone cutthroat trout
- Fishing Nearby
- 1
- Swimming Allowed
- 0
- Boating Allowed
- 0
- Climbing Areas
- 0
- Review Summary
- Visitors praise abundant wildlife and trout habitat, with rewarding views along the meadow corridor. Access is primarily hike-in, so plan for distances up to 8 miles to reach upper meadows and beyond to the park boundary. Safety and wildlife awareness are recurring themes in experiences.
Location
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need to arrive before 7am to get parking?
Parking fills early in peak seasons; plan to arrive before 8am, and be prepared for overflow lots and stock trailers occupying spaces.
Is it worth the 2–8 mile hike to see the meadows and wildlife?
Yes. The first meadow at about 2 miles offers strong wildlife viewing and trout habitat; longer hikes reveal expansive meadows, more wildlife, and iconic river scenery.
Can I fish Slough Creek?
Yes, but you must hold a valid Yellowstone fishing permit; angling is restricted by park rules and seasons.
Is the water safe to drink or blue like photos suggest?
Water is typically clear; early-season water can be off-color and cross-country crossings may be hazardous; boil or treat water at the campground pump before drinking.
Will my 65-year-old parent be able to reach viewpoints?
Some views are accessible near the trailhead and campground; upper meadows require longer hikes with rugged terrain—plan at a comfortable pace and use accessible facilities where available.
More at Yellowstone National Park
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Lake Butte Overlook
Panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake from the caldera rim; distant Tetons on clear days.
Artist Point
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Gibbon River
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Gibbon Falls
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Sources
- datapages.com
- yellowstoneexplored.com
- wikipedia.org
- usgs.gov
- confex.com
- nps.gov
- flyfishingyellowstonenationalpark.com
- thedyrt.com
- hike734.com
- youtube.com
- yellowstonenationalpark.com
- yellowstone.org
- wereintherockies.com
- Current time information in Park County, US.
- hipcamp.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.