Trout Lake Trail in Yellowstone National Park is a relatively short and easy hike that offers stunning views and a chance to see wildlife.
Trout Lake Trail Basics
1 – 2 Hours
1.2 Miles Round Trip
Out-and-Back / Loop
250 Feet
Duration: 1-2 Hours
Walking the Trout Lake Trail takes about 1-2 hours, depending on how fast you walk and how long you stop to take in the sights along the way.
Distance: 1.2 Miles Roundtrip
To walk to the lake, then around the loop trail, and back to the parking area, is about 1.2 miles total.
Type: Lollipop Trail
This trail is different from most because it has one section that is out-and-back and another that is a loop. From the Trout Lake Trailhead, the path goes 0.3 miles through a Douglas-Fir forest up to the edge of the lake. Then it loops around the lake before you take the 0.3-mile trail back to the parking lot. This type of trail is sometimes called a lollipop loop trail because of its shape.
Elevation Change: 250 Feet
The beginning of the trail has a steep climb, but the rest of the trail is more level with a few spots to climb over tree roots on the trail.
Season: Summer, Fall
The best time of year to come to the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park is late June through early October. The rest of the year there’s a chance the roads are closed making the area difficult to reach.
Time of Day: Any
Trout Lake Trail can be enjoyed any time of the day. During the middle of the afternoon, the temperatures will be the warmest, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Amount of Shade: Moderate
You’ll be walking through a forest of Douglas-fir trees for a good portion of this trail, offering shade along the path.
Difficulty: Easy
Other than the steep incline at the beginning of the trail, this is a pretty easy trail for most people.
What Makes Trout Lake Trail a Great Hike?
Trout Lake Trail is a good place to view wildlife along the lake shore. The trail was not crowded at all, so we were able to have a little peace on the trail that you don’t often find with the crowds in Yellowstone. There are two places where an inlet stream and an outlet stream meet the lake. If you’re there after recent rains or during the snowmelt, the streams are flowing stronger.
All the way around the lake you will have the best views of the mountains and forests that make up the northeast area of the park. This would be a great place to bring some food and make your own picnic area with great views of the lake.
Scenery on the Trout Lake Trail
Start of the Trail
This quick day hike starts in a dense forest with quite the elevation gain right away. As you walk through the trees, be on the lookout for wildlife such as bears, elk, and birds.
On the Trail
When you get to the beautiful mountain lake, you can see Druid Peak and the surrounding mountains over the lake. Look for river otters, especially in the morning or late afternoon, cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout. Check the mountains for bears, bighorn sheep, coyotes, or mule deer.
End of the Trail
Since this is mostly a loop trail, there’s no true end until you get back to the parking area.
Notable Places on the Hike
The two tributaries from Soda Butte Creek that go into and out of Trout Lake are known for spawning runs for the trout that live in the lake. Fishing is prohibited in these streams to help the trout population stay strong. But if you are there during the spawning season from March to August, with the peak in early July, you may be able to see trout in the lake.
Trout Lake Trailhead Information
Park Name: Yellowstone National Park
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 Trout Lake Trail is closest to the Northeast Entrance Road (US Highway 12) near Cooke City and Silver Gate in Montana.
Finding the Trailhead
If you are driving in from the northeast entrance, travel 10.4 miles into Lamar Valley and look for the trail head parking on your right side just past Pebble Creek Campground. When traveling from Tower Junction towards Lamar Valley and the Northeast Entrance, go 17.8 miles then look for the trailhead on your left just past Soda Butte Creek.
Markers Along the Trail
This trail does not have any man-made markers along the main trail or the lake part of the trail. When you get to the lake you can choose to go right or left since it loops around the lake.
Nearest Restrooms
There are no restroom facilities available at the Trout Lake Trailhead area, for the nearest restrooms go about 1.5 miles northeast to Pebble Creek Campground and the Pebble Creek Trailhead or 3 miles southwest to the Soda Butte Creek and Lamar River Trailhead parking area on the south side of the main road.
Parking Area
There is a small parking area on the north side of the road with eight parking spaces.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
No other trails start from this trailhead. Nearby trails include Pebble Creek Trail, Lamar River Trail, and Soda Butte Trailhead.
Tips for Trout Lake
- Bring bear spray with you as the area is known for grizzly bears and black bears.
- Trout Lake contains some of the largest fish in the park, so if you want to fish, have the proper licensing and bring your gear with you on the hike. Yellowstone National Park fishing licenses can be obtained online at recreation.gov for everyone 16 years of age and older. A state license does not work in the park.
- Trout Lake got its name thanks to its original use in the park. The National Park Service first used the lake as a trout hatchery for the other lakes, rivers, and streams in Yellowstone Park in the early 1900s.
Accessibility Information for Trout Lake Trail
Natural Dirt Trail
Paved
Trail Type: Natural Dirt Trail
Trout Lake Trail is one of the trails in Yellowstone National Park that is not accessible to those with mobility issues. It starts with a relatively steep grade on a narrow dirt path that goes over and around many large tree roots.
Parking: Paved
The parking area is paved, but there is only room for eight standard-sized vehicles with no designated handicap-accessible spots.