Heart Lake
Location: Northwest Wyoming
Trip Starts: South Entrance Gate
Trip Ends: Heart Lake Parking Area
Total Distance: 22.6 miles
Hike Type: One-Way, Shuttle Hike
Hike Difficulty: Difficult
Trails Used: South Boundary, Heart Lake
Trail Traffic: Light to Heavy
Trip Type: Overnight to Multi-Day Hike
More Information:
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168
307-344-7381
Highlights:
The hike to Heart Lake starts in the southwestern corner of Yellowstone National Park. Our route passes campsites on the Snake River and at Basin Creek Lake and Heart Lake. Both the river and the lakes are loaded with trout which makes for some great fishing if that’s of interest. There is also some choice soaking spots where hot springs mix with the Snake River or Witch Creek. The Park Service only allows soaking in these mixed water areas and not in the hot springs themselves. Regardless, you’ll really enjoy this hike and you’ll have a chance to see a lot of wildlife and some areas still affected by the Yellowstone fires of 1988.
More Details:
- click to see a video from the backcountry in the southern section of the Park: August 31, 2002
- click to see trail photos from this hike in Yellowstone National Park: August 31, 2002
- click to view a detailed trip report of this backpacking trip to Heart Lake: August 31, 2002 (password required)
- click to view a brief trip report at yourhikes.com of this overnight camping trip: August 31, 2002
- click to view maps: area map, detailed map one, detailed map two, overview map, park map, profile map
- click to access a guidebook of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park which has more details on this area
- click for the Other Destinations discussion forum
- click for other Wyoming hiking and backpacking books
- click here to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
