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Yellowstone National Park: Heart Lake
Experience world class fly-fishing, wildlife sightings, and to-die-for campsites on this 16.2-mile out-and-back to the second largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone National Park.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Wyoming (WY) |
| Distance: | 16.2 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Mount Sheridan, Heart Lake |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
There's good reason why Heart Lake is one of Yellowstone National Park's most popular backcountry destinations: it's got it all. Nature lovers can observe the wide variety of wildlife that live around the lake—elk, trumpeter swans, grizzly bears, and gray wolves (look for paw prints in the dusty trail). Avid anglers can fine-tune their casting technique while fishing for cutthroat trout, and backpackers can sleep under starry skies in campsites that dot the remote shoreline.
The 16.2-mile out-and-back starts at the Heart Lake Trailhead and winds to the east for a gradual 4-mile climb to the route's highpoint. At 8,140 feet, this point offers intermittent views of the lake and Factory Hill directly to the south. Half a mile later the trail's major descent begins, losing 500 feet in 1 mile as it enters Heart Lake Geyser Basin, an isolated basin peppered with fumaroles and hot springs. The route touches the gravelly banks of Heart Lake at mile 7.6 and veers west for the final half-mile traverse to a group of backcountry campsites (reservations required). Set up camp and stay for a day or two, or turn around and follow the same route back to the trailhead.
Note: The large bear management area surrounding Heart Lake is closed to hikers from April 1 through June 30.
PERMIT: Overnight camping in Yellowstone National Park requires a backcountry permit. Check out the latest fees and more details at nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/backcountryhiking.htm.
MORE PARK INFO: Yellowstone National Park, (307) 344-7381; nps.gov/yell/.
-Mapped by Jason Kauffman
TO TRAILHEAD: From West Thumb, WY, drive south on US 89 for 7.2 miles. Turn left into the parking area for Heart Lake Trailhead.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Heart Lake 001
| Distance: 8.08 mi | Points: 498 |
Points of Interest
HRT001
Location: 44.317347, -110.598335Hike east on the well-maintained trail to Heart Lake.
HRT002
Location: 44.321730, -110.581695A mile into the hike, the trail enters partially burned forests.
HRT003
Location: 44.319496, -110.573198Pass a meadow on the left and continue heading southeast.
HRT004
Location: 44.316671, -110.569689Ford an unnamed creek. This gravely channel is often dry by late summer or early fall.
HRT005
Location: 44.314747, -110.536335Crest the trail's highpoint. Ahead: Views open up to Heart Lake as you drop into the Heart Lake Geyser Basin.
HRT006
Location: 44.311267, -110.533832Begin the descent toward Heart Lake, which is visible for most of the remaining 3.7-mile stretch to the lake.
HRT007
Location: 44.310468, -110.532833Pass the first of many thermal features on the trail to Heart Lake.
HRT008
Location: 44.308213, -110.526264Rest your legs for a minute or two at this vantage point with clear views to Heart Lake and Factory Hill, the mountain immediately to the south.
HRT009
Location: 44.303520, -110.519757Cross bridge over Witch Creek (the first bridge along the trail).
HRT010
Location: 44.302299, -110.520101Skirt the bright blue thermal pools that dot the meadow on the left-hand side of the trail.
HRT011
Location: 44.286150, -110.497849Pass the Heart Lake Patrol Cabin, which is used by park rangers during the summer months.
HRT012
Location: 44.285420, -110.497747The trail empties onto the gravely shores of 2,000-acre Heart Lake, the second largest backcountry lake in the park. Watch for all manner of bird life along the lake shores, most notably the rare trumpeter swan, the largest species of waterfowl in North America.
HRT013
Location: 44.284793, -110.501436Cross the bridge over the mouth of Witch Creek.
HRT014
Location: 44.280754, -110.502403Campsite 8H6: The first of 5 back-to-back backcountry camping spots (designated by the park) along the west shores of Heart Lake. Reservations are required to camp at these campsites (reserve a spot well ahead of time; reservations are booked on a first come, first served basis). Optional: To summit Mount Sheridan (a 2,500-foot climb), continue 500 feet to the Mount Sheridan Trail turnoff. Follow the same route back to the trailhead.
Heart Lake and Mount Sheridan
Location: 44.285293, -110.498836Towering over the west shores of Heart Lake is 10,305-foot Mount Sheridan. A 6-mile out-and-back hike takes Heart Lake campers to the summit of this steep-sided mountain. © Jason Kauffman
Heart Lake Trail
Location: 44.318245, -110.595299On the trail to Heart Lake. © Jason Kauffman
Mule Deer Fawn
Location: 44.321515, -110.587918A mule deer fawn browses near the trail. © Jason Kauffman
Autumn Colors
Location: 44.321008, -110.579023Brilliant fall colors liven the trailside. © Jason Kauffman
Autumn Grasses
Location: 44.315865, -110.565119Warm days and fewer hikers make fall a fantastic time to visit Yellowstone. © Jason Kauffman
Trailside Meadow
Location: 44.320225, -110.546923The trail to Heart Lake passes through a mixture of forest and small meadows. © Jason Kauffman
Halfway to Heart Lake
Location: 44.316479, -110.538597The mountain in the distance just on the other side of the high point along the Heart Lake Trail is called Factory Hill. © Jason Kauffman
First View of Heart Lake
Location: 44.314207, -110.536108After several moderate uphill miles, Heart Lake finally comes into view. © Jason Kauffman
Heart Lake Geyser Basin
Location: 44.302284, -110.519993For safety, stay well back from Yellowstone's scalding hot springs. © Jason Kauffman
Boiling Pots
Location: 44.301078, -110.520004Numerous steaming vents, geysers and boiling pots dot the Heart Lake Geyser Basin. © Jason Kauffman
Ravens
Location: 44.288070, -110.499319A pair of ravens surveys the Heart Lake Geyser Basin. © Jason Kauffman
Heart Lake Ranger Station
Location: 44.285904, -110.497849Park rangers use the Heart Lake Ranger Station during the summer months. © Jason Kauffman
Shores of Heart Lake
Location: 44.285420, -110.497693Trail junction on the shores of Heart Lake. © Jason Kauffman
Gravel Beaches
Location: 44.285424, -110.497565The small peat gravel along the shores of Heart Lake makes for excellent barefoot hiking. © Jason Kauffman
Trumpeter Swan
Location: 44.285124, -110.499855A trumpeter swan flexes its wings along Heart Lake. Yellowstone National Park is a stronghold for the rare swan, the largest species of waterfowl in North America. © Jason Kauffman
Heart Lake
Location: 44.281726, -110.502420Trees overhang Heart Lake next to campsite 8H6, one of 10 campsites that dot the lakeshore. © Jason Kauffman
Common Mergansers
Location: 44.280881, -110.502221A single-file band of common mergansers swims by designated campsite 8H6 on the shores of Heart Lake. © Jason Kauffman
Heart Lake Campsite
Location: 44.280754, -110.502355The view from campsite 8H6. © Jason Kauffman
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