The Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area is inside the caldera rim in Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone National Park
30 Minutes
Summer
~$35 per Vehicle
Overview
The picnic area is named for the Nez Perce tribe and is along the route they took when they fled the U.S. Army in 1877. This is now one of many peaceful beautiful spots with great views of the Yellowstone River and is a perfect place to relax.
Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area Plan
As we were traveling through Yellowstone National Park while on a week-long trip to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, we needed a place to stop and eat the lunch we packed. We had just finished a stop at Mud Volcano and were all getting hungry. I opened my National Park Service app to find the nearest picnic area. Just down the road was the Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area.
Lunch at the picnic area
Getting There
Location
Yellowstone National Park is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming in the United States. With the size of the park, there are many ways to get to one of the entrances. Our favorite is going through Grand Teton National Park and entering through the South Entrance. But the Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area is closest to the East Entrance.
Don’t get the picnic area on the eastern side of the park confused with Nez Perce on the western side along Firehole River and Spring Creek. This one is near Hayden Valley near Sulphur Caldron and Mud Volcano on the park map.
Best Time to Go
The best time to go to Yellowstone National Park is during the late spring through early fall. Many of the roads in the area close in the winter months due to snow and ice on the roads. While the summer months are peak season, that’s the best time to visit the park for great weather and passable roads.
Skipping rocks on the river
Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area
Who Can Go?
There are 20 picnic tables at the picnic area with the whole area being packed gravel. While there aren’t specific tables meant for wheelchairs, most of the area should be accessible for those in wheelchairs and strollers.
What You'll See
When you are sitting at a table along the river in the east lot, you can look over the bend in the Yellowstone River where it runs from all the way in North Dakota from the Missouri River down past Fishing Bridge and Yellowstone Lake. Across the river, you may see parts of the Howard Eaton Trail-Fishing Bridge Canyon.
Watch the river and the open meadows near the water for wild animals such as bison, elk, bears, wolves, coyotes, moose, bald eagles, osprey, beavers, river otters, squirrels, frogs, toads, and garter snakes.
Yellowstone River
Yellowstone River
What to Bring & Wear
Bring yourself a picnic lunch to enjoy alongside the river at this picnic site. If you want to play in the water, I’d also suggest water shoes and a towel.
Visitors can make campfires in the picnic areas with fire grates, use camp stoves, or use self-contained charcoal grills. If you need one for your meal, bring it with you, along with all of your cooking tools, and make sure to put out fires completely and leave no trace.
Where to Go
From the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Lake Village, head north on Grand Loop for 5 miles until the picnic area is on your right. Otherwise, from the Canyon Visitor Education Center, head south on Grand Loop Road for 10.4 miles until you see the picnic area on the left. If you are coming into Yellowstone National Park through the South Entrance, turn right onto Grand Loop Road at West Thumb just past Grant Village.
How Long Does it Take?
If you are stopping only to eat, you can make this a quick pit stop as you drive along the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park. For those who have a bit of time, I suggest cleaning up your picnic lunch and then spending some time by the river.
Cost
The picnic area itself is free, but you will pay an entrance fee for Yellowstone National Park. You can choose from many options, depending on the type of vehicle you have and the amount of time you plan to spend in the park. Or, if you are going to go to multiple national parks throughout the year, purchase the America the Beautiful pass to get entrance into all parks in the National Park Service.
Stephanie, Ryan Tyler, and Justin along the Yellowstone River
Ryan, Justin, and Tyler looking at the Yellowstone River
Tips for Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area
- There are black bears and grizzly bears in the area. Make sure to carry bear spray and dispose of all food in a bear-proof container.
- The turnoff can be a hard road to spot if you aren't paying attention. There is only a small sign on the side of the road each way indicating the picnic area ahead.
- If you miss the Nez Perce Picnic Area, you can also go to the nearby Cascade Picnic Area or Le Hardy Picnic Area.
- Make sure all open fires are secure to prevent forest fires.