Turn right on South Rim Dr. Just after crossing Chittenden Bridge turn right and park in the large parking lot. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Virtual Tour of Wapiti Lake Trail. Surrounded by trees, this is a sheltered refuge perfect for an overnight in Indian Heaven. Don't turn around and head back. This park only has pit toilets; no flush toilets. Amazing trail that really features all of the different landscapes Yellowstone has to offer. The cabin can accommodate four visitors. Awesome trail! From Yellowstone Lake, head north on Grand Loop Road. We ended up cutting back over the hill to catch the section of Clear Lake trail back to the parking lot. Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead. Keep on the main trail towards Clear Lake. Keep it immediately available, not inside your pack. This is a moderate loop trail in Yellowstone National Park. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection required for all watercraft including boats, float tubes, and stand up paddle boards. If you're up for it, it's a fun way to get up close and personal to the waterfall. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves, instead. Sweeping meadow views, mud pots, forest lakes, canyons &waterfalls- great hike to get a taste of Yellowstone and avoid parking headache at Artists Point. Shortly after Lily Pad Lake youll reach South Rim Trail which follows along the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. . The first 19 km of the trail to Wapiti Lake follows the north side of the Wapiti River and the shores of a few smaller lakes. Continue hiking until you reach Uncle Toms Trail. The walls are red, white, yellow, and every color in between. 200metres from the main trail and well worth a rest and photo op. The views are spectacular regardless and a pretty easy trek with the hot pots still boiling and the amazing views of Yellowstone canyon. 30 mile day hike to spot wildlife on the Wapiti Lake trail. Winter camping is available to experienced backcountry recreationalists. There are no reported advisories for this park, BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis. Did this one today. From this point on, the park is located 13.8 km along the trail. This trail has a great combination of open meadows, small lakes, wooded stretches, interesting thermal areas, wildlife, and breathtaking views of the canyon. Avoid dead animals. The trail then heads up into the trees and towards a parking lot. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Turn right at the . Ran into 4 buffalo on the trail so had to walk around them. adventures and follow local regulations. At km 19.2, a BC Parks cabin is open for public use. Visitors to Wapiti Lake Park can park vehicles at the trailhead parking area which is accessed via the Ojay Main Road. You will need a Backcountry Regulations Permit for camping, fishing, boating, or riding in Yellowstone. It is accessed via the Ojay Main Road. Follow the paved path that begins at the northwest corner of the parking lot, down to the bridge to the signed South Rim Trail trailhead. Keep left at the first junction towards Clear Lake. Carry a minimum of 35 feet (11 m) of rope. Canoeing and kayaking opportunities exist on Wapiti Lake and along the Wapiti River. Store food in an approved bear resistant container or hang on a food pole 10 feet (3 m) above the ground and 4 feet (1 m) from sides. Eventually leads to the canyon as well as the falls. Stay 100 yards (91 m) from bears and wolves. Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Howard Eaton Trail: Fishing BridgeCanyon. Wheeled Vehicles Restricted: No bicycles, strollers, or wheeled vehicles (except wheelchairs), except where specified. Do not hike after dark. 9 Views Last Month 1,244 Since Jul 19, 2016 Intermediate. Rock spires add to this surreal landscape while the Yellowstone River continues its whitewater fury. It gives you a little bit of everything- fields, mud pots, lakes forest, and of course a great view of the canyon. From Trout Lake, drive north on Highway 141 for 5.8 miles, when it turns into FR 24. The trail continues just past the large parking lot for Artist Point. Trail was a little muddy but doable with proper footwear. Artist Point, thought to be named by park photographer F. J. Haynes as early as 1883, provides what is perhaps the most beautiful views of the entire Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and of Lower Yellowstone Falls some 308 feet high. Great trail with lots of different types of terrains. Apr 24, 2016 near . During your journey through Wyomings Black to Yellow Region, discover geologic marvels, dense evergreen forests and sprawling prairielands. This developed site also has tent pads, a pit toilet, a fire ring and food cache. https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm, https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fees.htm, https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/bearclosures.htm. As you approach Clear Lake youll notice a junction to the left that cuts to Uncle Toms trail. A series of trails can be explored from this trailhead: This is a long, 30.6-mile (49.2-km) there-and-back trail that travels through forests and meadows, and past lakes and backcountry thermal basins, to a series of backcountry campsites near Wapiti Lake. Always be careful of your footing and stay away from the edge as a mistake could be fatal. We had to walk the road to get back to our vehicle that last little bit. Reminder: the river has rapids and waterfalls which should be portaged around. The two kilometre climb above Wapiti Lake has an elevation change of 1,000 metres. Came back via the road which we didnt love, but it took us by Uncle Toms point where we got a close up view of a bison and a great view of the waterfall so it was worth it. Loved this hike! The lake you camp at is a glorified swamp. Generally considered a challenging route. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Experience Yellowstone's diversity with this epic loop hike.How to get there: Wapiti Lake Trailhead is located just south of Upper Falls of the Yellowstone. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places. Expect minimal or no contact with people. There is a short side trail (200 metres) to Wapiti Falls at 7 km. The Wisdom Tree hike, one of the most popular in Los Angeles, offers a lot of bang for your hiking buck, right in the middle of Hollywood. The trail is approximately 19 km and follows the north side of the Wapiti River and the shores of a few smaller lakes. Beautiful hike through meadows and forest, past lakes, and then past the South Rim overlooking the canyon and then finally to Artist's Point. Do not leave food, trash, toiletries, backpacks, coolers, water bottles, or any potential attractant unattended. YouTube sets this cookie via embedded youtube-videos and registers anonymous statistical data. Great trail! There is no charge and firewood is provided. Soon youll reach Lily Pad Lake junction. Start from the Wolf Lake Trailhead located on Grand Loop Road between Norris Junction and Canyon Village. Finally youll reach the bridge. Stay at least 100 yards (91 m) from bears. Trailhead: Park at the signed parking lot for Wapiti Lake on the South Rim Drive, just east of Chittenden Bridge located south of Canyon Village. This trailhead starts at the Chittenden Bridge Picnic Area. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) inspection required for all watercraft including boats, float tubes, and stand up paddle boards. Campfires allowed only in designated campsites within established fire rings. This is bear country so use precaution. Hike along South Rim Trail towards Lower Falls. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1 or contact the nearest ranger station. you reach a viewpoint of Wapiti falls, approx. The only negative is they have closed off the last section of the south rim trail about 1/4 mile from the bridge. The Hike: The hike begins with a steady climb through and open meadow. Campfires are permitted. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Wapiti Lake Provincial Park with its fast flowing rivers, crystal clear lakes and surrounding mountains provide outstanding scenic viewing, fishing and wilderness camping opportunities. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. Went in late August and got to the trailhead by 7am. This developed area also has tent pads, a pit toilet, a fire ring and food cache. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Those venturing into this area should be experienced backpackers. Contrast from start to finish. Here you can hike 328 steps straight down to the base of Lower Falls. Started great, but a mile of the hike is on busy road. | Download for iOS | Download for Android, Just a half mile off the Lemei Lake Trail is a gorgeous blue lake nestled in an old volcanic crater. This trailhead starts at the eastern end of the Artist Point parking area. Once we saw the staircase we knew we had to do it. Elevation: 8,904 feet (2,714 meters) USGS Map Area: White Lake Feature Type: Trail Nearby Trails. More up and down than we anticipated so felt a little longer than it was but was truly amazing - look for the gas bubbles coming Follow this road to kilometre 29 and turn right onto the 2500 road (at approximately 25 km) a road that leads to an old well site. probably one of the best hikes I've done. Leave What You Find: Do not collect anything from the park. Elevation Gain: 800ft / 240m Elevation Loss: 800ft / 240m, Click here for blogs and video on the South Rim Trail, <-Back to Day Hiking in Yellowstone National Park, GlacierGrand TetonOlympicRocky MountainYellowstoneYosemiteZion, Fees, Passes, Permits, and ReservationsBackcountry Permits of GlacierBackpacking DSLR SetupBackpacking with your DSLRGlaciers Visible from GTTSR RoadMaps for Trail Nerds, 2023Hike 734. Trailhead: Park at the signed parking lot for Wapiti Lake on the South Rim Drive, just east of Chittenden Bridge located south of Canyon Village. The next two camping areas are located overlooking Wapiti Lake. Really nice 3/4 of this hike. Hike in Groups: Travel in groups of 3 or more is recommended. JetPack installs this cookie to collect internal metrics for user activity and in turn improve user experience. The best times to visit this trail are July through September. All rights reserved. At Wapiti Lake visitors have the choice of tenting or using the backcountry cabin. The trail head begins from an old oilwell site, and is a well defind trail for the most part. A great little leg stretching loop when paired with the South Rim trail and Uncle Tom's trail (which was unfortunately closed when we visited in October 2020). These regulations apply to ALL backcountry users. 25% 0% 75% 0% 0% 0% Add a Photo. Red Rock Point on the north side of the Yellowstone River gives amazing views up and down the canyon and is only a short .3 miles from the North Rim Road. The trail leads to the popular Artist Point Overlook. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Super great hike, definitely packed on the Uncle Toms Trail side near the river and at Artists Point, but once I turned off to Clear lake I was solo almost the entire time. Well maintained with gentle elevation changes, my 11-year-old granddaughter walked it without difficulty. From Yellowstone Lake, head north on Grand Loop Road. Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. The last 4 ish miles took you through burned down forest and down switchbacks to a nice river which you had to wade through. A view of Wapiti Falls can be achieved by following a short 200 metre trail off the main trail at kilometre 7. Wapiti Lake Trail Hard 3.1 (10) Yellowstone National Park Photos (127) Directions Print/PDF map Length 34.0 miElevation gain 3,106 ftRoute type Out & back Get to know this 34.0-mile out-and-back trail near West Yellowstone, Montana. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure. Like the name implies, Wapiti Lake Trailhead provides access to the Wapiti Lake Trail, but it also is an endpoint to the Howard Eaton trail - the other endpoint is Howard Eaton Trailhead in the Fishing Bridge area. Surrounded by trees, this is a sheltered refuge perfect for an overnight in Indian Heaven. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. How to get there: Wapiti Lake Trailhead is located just south of Upper Falls of the Yellowstone. Please explore responsibly! WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! After 7 kms. Terrain is rugged and weather can change quickly. SEASONAL ROAD CLOSURE: Roads leading to this trailhead are subject to seasonal closure during winter. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Horseback riding is allowed in Wapiti Lake Provincial Park. Brink of the Lower Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your After the first mile, the trail is heavily wooded with lodge pole pine all the way to Broad Creek. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Its late May and the trail still has a bit of snow but no ice. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. Make Noise: Avoid surprising a bear by calling out and clapping your hands at regular intervals to make your presence known. Bull trout are a species of special concern and as such have special regulations for fishing. Proof of negative Coggins test within last 12 months required. For more information, please visit. Follow LEAVE NO TRACE travel and camping techniques. Brink of the Lower Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Generally considered a challenging route. It does not store any personal data. Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake Trail A 4-mile (6.4-km) there-and-back trail that travels from the junction with the Wapiti Lake Trail out to Ribbon Lake, a couple of backcountry campsites, and Surface Creek, which plunges down into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River as the Silver Cord Cascades. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. This is a great hike with little elevation gain. During thunderstorms, descend to lower elevation, avoid open areas and isolated tall trees. Enjoy your time exploring around Wrangler Lake. This trail was an absolute joy! To access the trail from the Chittenden Bridge, look for the Wapiti Lake Trailhead/Picnic Area. Keep it immediately available, not inside your pack. Beyond this point, the crowds are smaller as the trail continues at the Ribbon Lake trailhead. Avoid dead animals. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Artist Pt was lovely view of falls but its easy access allows hundreds of tourist buses & cars (just be prepared). More information at the Center Backcountry Office: (307) 344-2160. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. which can take you to Lake Estes and downtown in one direction or the National Park via the Homer Rouse Trail in the other. Stripe sets this cookie cookie to process payments. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your You can call the Office for more information: (307) 344-2160. No Hunting: No hunting or discharge of firearms. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. During thunderstorms, descend to lower elevation, avoid open areas and isolated tall trees. Proof of negative Coggins test within last 12 months required. Hike back up to the road and follow it back to the trailhead parking lot. You made the day for this family.. DAY 1 It was pouring rain as we left Prince George on August 6th, but was pretty smooth sailing to cover the 400 km to Tumbler Ridge. Please keep this cabin clean and in good condition for the next visitor. At the trailhead, there is a vault toilet. This trail is moderately challenging and a good choice for families with older children. Head east from Tumbler Ridge for 50kms. This gives an incredible loop with diverse scenery, and a much more peaceful (less crowded) avenue back. Here youll find a great view of Lower Falls. great trail! Red Rock Point on the north side of the Yellowstone River gives amazing views up and down the canyon and is only a short .3 miles from the North Rim Road. Experience Yellowstones diversity with this epic loop hike.How to get there: Wapiti Lake Trailhead is located just south of Upper Falls of the Yellowstone. We heard some fall all around which was a little scary. Wapiti Lake Trailhead is located just south of Upper Falls of the Yellowstone. Hunters going into Wapiti Lake Provincial Park should reference the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis. We did this hike on our first day in Yellowstone and it was the perfect way to get a taste of the geological marvels without the crowds. Swimming in park rivers is not recommended. Other than the shelter at Wapiti Lake, there are no facilities. The trail is mostly flat with a small hill near the falls. Through the 1940's and 50's there were just a few homesteaders and trappers here. Thank you for the detailed description. A few more great overlooks dot the trail until it terminates at an underwhelming point surrounded by tall trees with limited views called Point Sublime. The hike is not super challenging if not for the distance, however, my question is why? Experience Yellowstones diversity with this epic loop hike. Clear Lake Artist's Point Loop via Wapiti Lake Trailhead Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. This trail also has a small spur trail up to the Artist PointPoint Sublime Trail. At the trailhead, there is a vault toilet. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Time: The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. trip reports for this trail. Did the loop. The tk_lr is a referral cookie set by the JetPack plugin on sites using WooCommerce, which analyzes referrer behaviour for Jetpack. Felt soles prohibited. Want to report conditions for this trail? This route is family-friendly and appropriate for hikers of all ages and skill levels. Here youll find another nice photo opportunity. Its muddy out there but most of the mud is clay. Download the Outbound mobile app Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 We hiked up from wapiti and then had a person who was not hiking take us back to the cars from artists point - might have been more downhill going the other way but not sure on that. From Yellowstone Lake, head north on Grand Loop Road. Quite muddy at points but not an issue with hiking shoes. We stopped here and hung out on one of the several large rocks just off the trail. Stay at least 100 yards (91 m) from bears. Beautiful hike that shows off a lot of the different geography of Yellowstone. Stand your ground and use your bear spray. This 2.6-mile (4.2-km) there-and-back trail travels from the majestic Artist Point overlook to the Point Sublime Overlook along the southern rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. Join a supporting community of travelers and adventurers sharing their photos and local insights. Stay with your group at all times. Currently very muddy- soaked my hiking shoes, and it was slightly hard to follow. If the cabin is in use, please be prepared to camp outside. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The trail/stair case is visible from the opposite of the canyon, weaving its way down the canyon wall to a nice outlook at the base. which is very close to the trailhead, and this trailhead is the best place to park. This trail requires fording creeks. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Carry Bear Spray: Carry bear spray and know how to use it. As someone used to hiking at altitude, I would rate this trail as easy. Wait several minutes after the bear leaves before getting up and leaving the area. This trail offered next to nothing. Well worth going to Lily Pad Lake and clear lake. The Wapiti Onion Trail crosses through the park. The tk_or is a referral cookie set by the JetPack plugin on sites using WooCommerce, which analyzes referrer behaviour for Jetpack. Some parts were covered in 4-6 feet of snow and made it difficult. adventures and follow local regulations. There are fishing opportunities at this park. River crossings are hazardous. More information at the Center Backcountry Office: (307) 344-2160. A Fishing and Boating Aquatic . Advise friends or relatives of your trip duration and destination. Pair it with South Rim trail: start at the South Rim trailhead, take it to Artist's Point, then loop around using Wapiti Lake back to the South Rim trailhead. Do not leave food, trash, toiletries, backpacks, coolers, water bottles, or any potential attractant unattended. Wyomings wide-open spaces make it easy to get off the grid and on a trail, through a park, into a forest, up a mountain or down a river. The trail continues on through the trees giving great, intermittent views of the canyon, the falls, and the crazy rock formations. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Permit required for fishing, boating, riding, and overnight camping. Howard Eaton Trail: Fishing Bridge-Canyon. Numerous large rock formations create tall mini-islands with an old bridge as a backdrop. Follow the paved path that begins at the northwest corner of the parking lot, down to the bridge to the signed South Rim Trail trailhead. Again, this is more of a pond but still scenic. Quietly detour or back away; stop if this seems to agitate the bear. Park waters are swift and cold. When you are ready to head home, simply retrace your steps . Stand your ground and use your bear spray. You will need a Backcountry Regulations Permit for camping, fishing . I was surprised (20 feet away) by a massive female moose that came running out of the brush down to the lake. Discover this 54.7-km out-and-back trail near West Yellowstone, Montana. If you use the shelter, please keep it clean, remove your litter, and sign the guest book. Felt soles prohibited. Bury human waste and toilet tissue in a 68 inch (1518 cm) deep cat hole at least 100 feet (30 m) from water and trails. A 4-mile (6.4-km) there-and-back trail that travels from the junction with the Wapiti Lake Trail out to Ribbon Lake, a couple of backcountry campsites, and Surface Creek, which plunges down into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River as the Silver Cord Cascades. August 2011 - a day hiker, hiking by himself, was killed by a grizzly bear on the Mary Mountain Trail in Hayden Valley. Coordinates: 44.6999403N, -110.3199191W Approx. The trail breaks away from the river, only to come back with a front row view of these fantastic falls. A pit toilet is provided at the 19.2 km camping area. East of the overlook where you can embark on the following trails: There is a large parking lot here, though it is often busy during the peak of the summer season. Wapiti Lake Provincial Park is open to hunting. Be Alert: Watch for signs of bear activity: scratches in trees, tracks, scat, or dig sites. The out-and-back Cascade Lake Trail starts from the Cascade Creek Trailhead off of Norris Canyon Road in Yellowstone National Park. Enjoy the backcountry and help keep it clean for others to enjoy. Here is another overlook of Upper Falls. Shortly past Clear Lake youll trek through a large hydrothermal area with bubbling mud pots and steam vents. Last Updated: This is a mountainous wilderness area. Sleep 100 yards (91 m) from your food storage and cooking areas. Please explore responsibly! Just a half mile off the Lemei Lake Trail is a gorgeous blue lake nestled in an old volcanic crater. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. For current information please refer to the BC Fishing Regulation synopsis. you reach a viewpoint of Wapiti falls, approx. Hiked from the trailhead to Ribbon Lake one day and from Artist point to Lily Pad, Clear Lake to the South rim back to Artist point. Wyomings wide-open spaces make it easy to get off the grid and on a trail, through a park, into a forest, up a mountain or down a river. Fortunately we survived and there was a breeze on the way back which helped curb the mosquitoes a little bit. If you enjoy swarms of mosquitoes, getting your feet soaked in swampland, and a lot of time hiking in forest then this hike is for you. Mud pots, lakes, stellar views of the canyon and both upper and lower falls. DO NOT make the same mistake! Horses are permitted on the Wapiti Onion Trail. Please be prepared for tenting in the event that the cabin is being used by other visitors. Howard Eaton Trail: Fishing Bridge to Canyon The cookie is set by MailChimp to record which page the user first visited. Really does cover everything. I really enjoyed this trail, as it offers a variety of landscapes. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Hike in groups of 3 or more; keep your group together. Could just do the clear lake trail from uncle toms but then you would miss a nice view of Hayden valley - really was amazing to see how vast it is!