Boat on a Lake

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) pose a grave and growing threat to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Learn why Yellowstone is taking a stronger stance against AIS.

• A 30-day dry time is required for all sailboats and certain complex motorized boats (inboard, inboard/outboard, or inboard jet drives). 
• Clean, Drain and Dry all watercraft, trailer, motors, and gear every time, everywhere. 
• All watercraft, including angler float tubes and paddle boards, must pass a Yellowstone AIS inspection to receive a permit prior to launching.  

 

Banned Watercraft & Equipment

• Watercraft with evidence of dead or live quagga or zebra mussels. 
• Watercraft previously fouled with mussels, regardless of cleaning or dry time. 
• Watercraft equipped with sealed internal ballast tanks.  
• Felt-soled footwear. 

 

 

Find Out More

• Aquatic Invasive Species Management
• Guided Boat Trips & Rentals
• Fishing

Boating is allowed on most lakes in Yellowstone National Park during boating season with a valid boat inspection and permit. In order to protect yourself and park resources, familiarize yourself with all regulations prior to launching your watercraft.

Safety

Exploring Yellowstone’s lakes by boat offers a great way to see the park from a different perspective. However, boating in the Northern Rockies presents significant risks. Water temperatures of park lakes are extremely cold (in the 40s Fahrenheit) in June and may only reach the 60s by late summer. In addition, sudden strong winds can produce waves of three to five feet in height, making open-water crossings very dangerous. 

Boating Regulations

• Boating season begins the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend (usually the last weekend in May) and extends through October 31. 
• All park rivers are closed to boating except for the section of the Lewis River between Lewis Lake and Shoshone Lake, which is open to non-motorized watercraft only. 
• All vessels must have a US Coast Guard approved, wearable PFD (Type I, II, III, or V) for each person on board. 
• View Yellowstone's Boating Safety and Regulations booklet.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 5 seconds

Clean, drain, and dry your equipment before visiting Yellowstone.

 

Permits & Inspections

• All watercraft, including angler float tubes and paddle boards, must pass a Yellowstone AIS inspection to receive a permit prior to launching. A boat arriving after hours cannot launch in park waters until it has fulfilled the Yellowstone AIS inspection requirement.
• A 30-day dry time is required for all sailboats and certain complex motorized boats (inboard, inboard/outboard, or inboard jet drives). Without a valid AIS inspection receipt and intact seal demonstrating a 30-day day dry time, these boats will be denied launch. In addition to Yellowstone National Park seals, which can be obtained at park inspection locations, the park also honors inspection receipts and seals from these agencies: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
• Upon exiting Yellowstone waters, boaters can receive an exit inspection and Yellowstone seal. Returning watercraft with an intact Yellowstone seal and inspection receipt can relaunch without an additional 30-day dry time.
• Watercraft that leave the park for any period of time must be reinspected prior to relaunching in park waters.
• Watercraft that arrive dirty or with standing water will be subject to decontamination.
• Watercraft that does not pass inspection will be denied launch.

 

Inspection Locations

Permit & Inspection Location	Status	2024 Dates	2024 Hours	Notes
Bridge Bay Ranger Station	Closed	May 25–September 22	8:00 am–4:30 pm	Contact: [phone]
Grant Ranger Station	Open	May 25–October 31	8:00 am-5:30 pm	Contact: [phone]
Lewis Lake Ranger Station	Open	May 26–October 31	8:00 am–3:30 pm	Contact: [phone]
Bechler Ranger Station	Closed	June 10–October 15	8:00 am–4:30 pm	Angler float tubes only
Mammoth Backcountry Office	Closed	May 15–October 15	8:00 am–4:30 pm	Angler float tubes only
Northeast Entrance Station	Open	May 25–October 26	8:00 am–4:30 pm	Angler float tubes only
Snake River Backcountry Office	Closed	May 23–October 15	8:00 am–4:30 pm	Angler float tubes only
Tower-Roosevelt Backcountry Office	Closed	May 15–October 15	8:00 am–4:30 pm	Angler float tubes only
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Station Backcountry Office	Closed	May 23–October 15	8:00 am–4:30 pm	Angler float tubes only

 

Boating Permit Fees

• Non-motorized: $20 for 7 days or $30 for the season
• Motorized: $40 for 7 days or $60 for the season

Includes the required aquatic invasive species inspection. Fees are payable by debit or credit card.

Motorized Watercraft

• Motorized boats are only allowed on Lewis and Yellowstone lakes. Boaters using motorized boats on Yellowstone Lake must familiarize themselves with the 5 mile per hour mileage zones and non-motorized boat zone locations.
• Vessels must not exceed 40 feet in length.
• The use of jet skis, personal watercraft*, airboats, submersibles, and similar vessels is prohibited in Yellowstone.
• Towing water skiers, wakeboards, parasails, or performing similar activities is prohibited.

*A personal watercraft is defined as a vessel, usually less than 16' in length, which uses an inboard engine to power a water jet pump as its primary source of propulstion. The vessel is intended to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel, rather than within the confines of the hull.

Non-motorized Watercraft

• Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and other non-motorized boats are permitted on all lakes except Sylvan Lake, Eleanor Lake, Twin Lakes, and Beach Springs Lagoon.

Other Regulations

• Swimming in the Bridge Bay Marina Channel is prohibited.
• Backcountry permits are required for all overnight trips.
• Check Backcountry Conditions for the status of the docks.

 

Report Sightings

At least eight aquatic invasive species already exist in Yellowstone's waters: New Zealand mud snail, red-rimmed melania, five nonnative fish, and whirling disease. If you think you’ve found a new aquatic invasive species in Yellowstone, note its location, take a photo, and contact us immediately. 

 

Guided Trips & Rentals

Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides boat rentals and guided boat trips at Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. Other companies offer guided services for canoeing, kayaking, and motorized boating.

More Information