Hiking the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail in Yellowstone National Park
Distance: 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
Elevation Gain: ~200 ft. / 61 m
The Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail, also called the West Thumb Overlook Trail, in Yellowstone National Park is a very quick and easy day hike off the shores of Yellowstone Lake and the West Thumb Geyser Basin that climbs to a beautiful panoramic viewpoint, where hikers can look across much of Yellowstone Lake with the Absaroka Range in the backdrop!
That said, the thing that I believe sets the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail apart is just how much of a contrast there is between the busyness of the West Thumb Geyser Basin and the lack of people who venture out on this, or even the Duck Lake Trail from the same parking lot.
For all these reasons, I believe the Yellowstone Lake Overlook is one of the best effort-to-reward trails in Yellowstone National Park and one of the best kid-friendly adventures for those looking for something a little easier!
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail is located at the joint West Thumb Trailhead.
This is the same parking lot that also serves the Duck Lake Trail and the West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail, with the easy boardwalk around the geyser basin being almost entirely responsible for why this is such a busy trailhead with somewhat limited parking.
Google Maps Directions: Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trailhead (West Thumb)
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone–Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone–Teton area.
Hiking the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
The Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail begins on the southwest side of the parking lot, far from the two busy trailheads for the boardwalk around the West Thumb Geyser Basin.
The Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail begins on a short path through the trees until the trail eventually crosses South Entrance Road and reaches the start of the loop almost immediately on the other side.
South Entrance Road
After only 0.25 miles (0.4 km), the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail crosses South Entrance Road, which, in my experience, is generally a 'safe' crossing, as cars are either slowing down or just beginning to accelerate because of the West Thumb intersection to the right of the crosswalk.
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Loop Trail
Shortly after re-entering the forest on the west side of the road, the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail splits into a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) loop.
That said, I’ve always personally preferred to hike the loop counterclockwise because the views on the descent after the overlook are better in this direction in my opinion.
Regarding my thoughts above, I chose to go right at the beginning of the loop.
When hiking counterclockwise, the first 0.25 miles (0.4 km) of the loop simply wind their way through the Lodgepole trees, but when the forest abruptly comes to an end, the overlook is not far ahead!
Even though the forest is quite dense throughout much of the hike, there is still a lot of exposure throughout much of the day, which is why I recommend wearing a hooded sun shirt—especially if you plan to hike more than one trail when visiting the West Thumb Geyser Basin.
This is where the trees start to thin and the ascent to the Yellowstone Lake Overlook slowly begins!
This is where the Yellowstone Lake Overlook and the top of the loop can be seen in the distance for the first time!
While the ascent may look steep in these photos, the steepest parts on either side are no more than 0.1 miles (0.2 km), which is why it really is such an easy viewpoint to reach!
Yellowstone Lake Overlook
This is the Yellowstone Lake Overlook and the uppermost elevations on the full 1.2-mile (1.9 km) loop.
That said, the overlook is also the site of an unnamed thermal feature, and while some call it a spring, the National Park Service does not confirm this.
In any case, the views from the top of the Yellowstone Lake Overlook are beautiful to say the least, as the bench looks out across much of Yellowstone Lake with the Absaroka Mountains beyond in the backdrop!
This bench is the very top of the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Loop Trail.
As the trail descends the south side of the loop, the beautiful views continue until it reaches the trees just ahead, which, again, is why I personally prefer to hike the loop counterclockwise as shown here.
Once the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail returns to the trees, there are essentially no more views on the rest of the return hike to the West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Loop Junction
This is where the Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail completes the 1.2-mile (1.9 km) loop on the west side of South Entrance Road.
Once here, go straight at this junction to cross back over to the other side of the road and return to the joint West Thumb Trailhead.
Old Faithful (Upper–Lower Geyser Basins)
Canyon Village
Maddison–Norris
Yellowstone Lake & East Entrance
Mammoth, Lamar Valley & Tower
