Trout Lake and Buck Lake - Hike near Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park
US-212, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA,Tower Junction,Wyoming
44.89922995610674, -110.12298379015556
Address: US-212, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
GPS: 44°53'57.2"N 110°7'22.7"W
Maps | Directions
State: Wyoming
Trails/Routes: 0.6-1.5 mi

Lakes Trails Wildflowers Fishing National Park

Hike

The Trout Lake trail is a steep 1/2-mile trail through a Douglas fir forest which leads to the lake. Trout Lake is also known to be called Fish Lake and Soda Butte Lake .The most difficult portion of the hike is the beginning. Once the lake is in view, the hike gets a bit easier. When you've reached the lake, you are met with beautiful views each way that you look. Behind the lake you can se Mt. Hornaday, which is a beautiful sight year round. In the spring, you may see a gorgeous waterfall forming off to the side of the mountain as the snow cap melts. It's no wonder how this lake got its name, this lake is teeming with trout! Some hikers have even reported seeing otter around the lake area. The otters in the area are said to be familiar with humans and are great about being observed or photographed from a safe distance. 

Fishing in this Trout Lake is an enjoyable recreational experience. There are plenty of cutthroat rainbow trout in the lake, however all cutthroat and rainbow trout hybrids caught in Trout Lake must be released. While fishing in this lake is allowed, fishing permits are required. Fishing permits can be purchased at all park ranger stations or visitors centers. All adults are required to purchase a $15 three-day permit to fish. Children under 15 can fish without a permit under the supervision of an adult that holds a fishing permit. 

Trout lake sits in a depression on a high bench above the Soda Butte Creek Canyon. Another close by lake is Buck Lake. This lake is another half a mile away from Trout Lake. This is a wonderful hike that leads to a great scenic still lake for a picnic.

Next to Trout Lake you can find Buck Lake. It is another fairly simple hike and is 1.8 miles west of Pebble Creek Campground. The trail can get quite steep as it goes up a slope, but only for a short distance through the forest. Much like Trout Lake, Buck Lake offers the same views and wildlife.

947 Edited by jamiegarrard
737 Edited by gnau

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

Read More
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

  1. Head east on Grand Loop Rd toward US-212 E
    Toll road
    (295 ft)
  2. Turn left onto US-212 E
    Toll road
    Destination will be on the left
    (17.7 mi)
or

The lake is located approximately .33 miles (0.53 km) north of the Northeast Entrance Road near the confluence of Pebble Creek and Soda Butte Creek.

to add photos & videos and suggest edits

Guest Review/Comments

/5
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Edit Review Delete Review
Reply Cancel
7007075 Medium 1554322104 added by gnau 7007075 Medium 1554322104 added by gnau
36499517971 E160f62634 C added by gnau 36499517971 E160f62634 C added by gnau Trout Lake in Yellowstone National Park by hike734 Yellowstone Trout Lake Sep 23 2017 by MrMagog

Trails

Distance ?

0.6 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

197 feet

Real Ascent ?

214 feet

Real Descent ?

17 feet

Avg Grade (7°)

12%

Grade (-18° to 21°)

-32% to 39%

Distance ?

1.5 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

221 feet

Real Ascent ?

306 feet

Real Descent ?

85 feet

Avg Grade (3°)

6%

Grade (-19° to 27°)

-34% to 50%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.

Other Hiking Trails Nearby

Add Location 8.5 mi

Slough Creek Trail

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

9.6 miles W

Slough Creek Trail is a 3.4 mile out and back trail that follows a historic wagon trail through several meadows. This trail is a fairly easy hike that has beautiful views of Slough Creek. The...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

4.0 mi

Specimen Ridge Day Hike and Fossil Forrest Trail

Buffalo Ford, Wyoming

10.1 miles W

Specimen Ridge Day Hike is a strenuous almost 4 mile trail to Specimen Ridge. This trail is rugged with a high elevation, and is not recommended for hikers with respiratory or heart...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Tower Falls

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

12.9 miles W

Tower Fall is a waterfall on Tower Creek in the northeastern region of Yellowstone National Park, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Approximately 1,000 yards (910 m) upstream from the creek's...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

16.9 mi

Specimen Ridge Trail (2K4)

Buffalo Ford, Wyoming

13.0 miles W

Specimen Ridge Trail is a challenging hike that requires navigational and technical skills to complete. This 17 mile hike is remote, and though it is marked by carins and blazes, it is often...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

0.3 mi

Yellowstone River Picnic Area Trail

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

13.6 miles W

The Yellowstone River Picnic Area trail is 3.9 miles loop trail. It is called the Yellowstone Picnic Area trail because the beginning of the trail is in a picnic area.This hike features a...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

7.3 mi

Agate Creek Trail

Tower Junction, Wyoming

13.6 miles W

Agate Creek Trail is a moderately difficult trail through some of Yellowstone's most beautiful and isolated landscapes. This 7.3 mile hike starts at the Yellowstone River Picnic Area. Parking is...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

8.2 mi

Garnet Hill Trail

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

14.3 miles W

Garnet Hill Trail is a 7.6 mile loop that follows an old, dirt stagecoach road. This trail passes through large meadows, dusty areas with sagebrush, forests and beside the Yellowstone River. This...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

2.4 mi

Lost Lake Trail

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

14.6 miles W

Lost Lake Trail is a 2.8 mile hike that can be completed in less than two hours. This is an easy hike with very little elevation change. Hikers can enjoy forests, meadows and a view of Lost Lake...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Hellroaring Creek Trail

Yellowstone National Park

15.7 miles W

If the name didn't scare you enough, the Hellroaring creek trail begins with an arduous descent down to the the Yellowstone River Suspension Bridge.The suspension bridge is a beautiful...

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

4.4 mi

Chittenden Road - Mount Washburn Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

16.7 miles SW

Hiking Mount Washburn via Chittenden Road is the shortest and easiest route to the top. The trail was once a service road and is now a clear well packed trail with a steady, gradual incline. The...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

16.3 mi

Mount Washburn Spur Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

16.8 miles SW

Washburn Spur Trail is an exciting 8-mile trail connecting the peak of Mount Washburn to Seven Mile Hole Trail near Canyon Village. Hikers typically hike the trail starting at Mount Washburn and...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

3.4 mi

Dunraven Pass - Mount Washburn Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

18.0 miles SW

Hikers looking for a scenic hike to the peak Mount Washburn will be pleased hiking the Mount Washburn Trail via Dunraven Pass. This trail winds through quiet forests to the peak. The trailhead for...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

7.6 mi

Observation Peak Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

20.5 miles SW

Observation Peak Trail is one of the most famous hikes in Yellowstone National Park. The hike is an almost 10 miles there and back hike that starts and ends at the same trailhead. Observation...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

2.4 mi

Cascade Lake Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

20.5 miles SW

Cascade Lake Trail is an easy, short hike through picturesque meadows to the beautiful cascade lake. The trailhead is located North of Canyon Village on Grand Loop Road. There is a pullout here where...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

9.0 mi

Seven Mile Hole Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

20.8 miles SW

Seven Mile Hole is a challenging out and back trail that winds along and into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. This 10-mile hike begins and ends at Canyon Village where parking is available. From...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

18.2 mi

Howard Eaton Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

21.8 miles SW

The Howard Eaton Trail is a hike with a variety of destinations along a 10 mile trail. The trail can be entered and exited at several points but is most commonly started near Canyon Village. The...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Forces of the Northern Range

Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park

22.1 miles W

This short 1/2 mile boardwalk located on the Blacktail Deer Plateau between Mammoth Village and Tower Junction will open your eyes and educate you about forces of nature that have sculpted the land...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

Lower Falls of the Yellowstone

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

22.2 miles SW

Lower Yellowstone Falls is one of the most popular places to visit in Yellowstone, coming in just behind the geyser, Old Faithful. The tallest waterfall in the park, Lower Yellowstone Falls is...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

1.4-2.5 mi

Ribbon Lake Trail

Canyon Village, Yellowstone National Park

22.8 miles SW

Ribbon Lake Trail is a 6-mile trail that leads hikers through beautiful meadows, past colorful lakes and beside Yellowstone River. This trail gives hikers a beautiful view of the Grand Canyon of...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

7.4 mi

Blacktail Deer Creek to Yellowstone River Trail

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

23.4 miles W

Blacktail Deer Creek Trail is a 7 mile out and back trail that leads to the Yellowstone River. Hikers on this trail will enjoy seeing green open fields, boulder formations and waterfalls at the...

Hike

hike Hiking Trail

More Similar Arenas Near Trout Lake and Buck Lake:

Hiking Trails Things to Do

Nearby Campsites

Add Location

Pebble Creek Campground

Northeast Entrance, Yellowstone National Park

1.3 miles N

Pebble Creek is a popular campground for fishermen and those seeking a more quiet and smaller campground in Yellowstone National Park. The campsites can fill very early, so get there before 11 AM...

Camp

camp Campsite

Slough Creek Campground

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

9.6 miles W

Slough Creek campground is a small but very popular campground on the Northeast Entrance Road. Most of the campsites are situated right on the banks of Slough Creek where fishing is a favorite...

Camp

camp Campsite

Tower Falls

Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park

12.9 miles W

Tower Fall is a waterfall on Tower Creek in the northeastern region of Yellowstone National Park, in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Approximately 1,000 yards (910 m) upstream from the creek's...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Hellroaring Creek Trail

Yellowstone National Park

15.7 miles W

If the name didn't scare you enough, the Hellroaring creek trail begins with an arduous descent down to the the Yellowstone River Suspension Bridge.The suspension bridge is a beautiful...

Camp, Hike, Swim

swim Swimming Hole

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Canyon Campground

Canyon Junction, Yellowstone National Park

21.2 miles SW

Canyon Campground is a popular choice for visitors to Yellowstone National Park, and it's easy to see why. Located in the heart of the park, the campground offers easy access to some of the...

Camp

camp Campsite

Fishing Bridge RV Campground

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

26.2 miles SW

The Fishing Bridge Recreational Vehicle Park is located near the mouth of the Yellowstone River as it leaves Yellowstone Lake. The RV park is named after the Fishing Bridge, a wooden vehicle bridge...

Camp

camp Campsite

1.5-3.8 mi

Little Gibbon Falls

Norris, Yellowstone National Park

27.9 miles SW

Ice Lake and Little Gibbon Falls Loop is a 4.5 mile loop trail located near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking, but there are...

Camp, Canoe, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

Mammoth Hot Springs Campground

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

28.4 miles W

Mammoth Hot Springs Campground is the only campground in Yellowstone that is open to campers year-round. Campsites cannot be reserved and are available on a first come first served basis. It is...

Camp

camp Campsite

0.1-5.2 mi

Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park

28.8 miles W

Mammoth Hot Springs is a unique sight in Yellowstone National Park. The soft limestone in this area allowed the water to form colorful terraces. The extremely hot running water is clear and smooth,...

Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

Bridge Bay

Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park

29.6 miles SW

Bridge Bay Campground was named for its proximity to Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake. The area is quite scenic, with wooded areas, open meadows and some limited views of the lake. Because of...

Camp

camp Campsite

Indian Creek Campground Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

30.0 miles W

Indian Creek Campground is a quiet and secluded wooded campground within Yellowstone National Park, ideal for tent campers. It’s close to lots of hiking and fishing, and only a few miles to...

Camp

camp Campsite

Norris Campground

Norris, Yellowstone National Park

30.3 miles W

Norris campground is centrally located in Yellowstone National Park and offers a good spot for those planning to visit many of the most famous features in Yellowstone. Norris is a relatively short...

Camp

camp Campsite

25.6 mi

East Rosebud Lake

Roscoe, Montana

31.5 miles NE

A scenic backpacking trip through some of the most beautiful areas in the Beartooth Mountains of Montana, East Rosebud trail takes hikers into some of the more secluded parts of Montana. 

Backpack, Camp, Canoe, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

backpack Backpacking Trail

Madison Campground

Madison, Yellowstone National Park

40.6 miles SW

Madison Campground is named for its proximity to the Madison River, which runs through the area in a lush mountain setting rich in wildlife. Madison Campground is at an elevation of 6,800’ and...

Camp

camp Campsite

Grant Village

Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park

41.2 miles SW

Grant Village was built in 1984 and named after Ulysses S. Grant, president when Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872. Located near the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake,...

Camp, Canoe, Kayak

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

kayak Kayaking Area

6.9 mi

Heart Lake Trail

Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park

46.6 miles SW

The trail is very clear and leads to a moderate eight mile hike to Heart Lake. This hike has many possibilities. Day hikers need to push their time to make sure they are on the trail early to allow...

Backpack, Camp, Hike, Hot Springs

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

hot springs Hot Spring

backpack Backpacking Trail

14.8 mi

Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

49.0 miles SW

Freight Road trail is a almost 15 mile hike that leaves from Biscuit Basin or Fountain Flats Drive. This hike is a beautiful remote hike that passes several unique landmarks, breaking up this hike...

Backpack, Camp, Hike

hike Hiking Trail

camp Campsite

backpack Backpacking Trail

0.1 mi

Lewis Lake Campground

Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park

49.4 miles SW

Lewis Lake is located in the southern part of Yellowstone National Park. It is 4 miles southeast of Shoshone Lake. Lewis Lake offers a plethora great water activities. This lake offers...

Camp, Canoe, Kayak

camp Campsite

canoe Canoeing Area

kayak Kayaking Area

More Campsites Near Trout Lake and Buck Lake:

Campsites

Embed Arena

Where do you plan to embed this code?

<script src="https://www.freearenas.com/embed/a4b113735"></script>

Copy
×
loading...

Edit Your Experience

Log Your Visit to This Location

We've logged that you went. Is there anything else you want to add?

Thank you for your review/comment

We've recorded your comments. Is there anything else you want to add?

By recording your visit on FreeArenas.com, you'll have a collection of all the great places you've been and provide valuable information for yourself and others in the future.

Have you been to this location?

/5
Cancel

Donate to the Cause

Help us inspire and inform every person to enjoy life and the great outdoors in a responsible way. There's a lot of ways to do this. Here's a few ways we're working on our mission right now: Providing information, Building and maintaining local trails, Helping and teaching kids to fix their bikes, Cleaning up local parks to provide safe and clean places to enjoy nature. Learn More

Update Review

/5

New Collection

Add an Arena

Just some quick info about this location to get started...