Lake Butte Overlook

Northwest > Wyoming > Yellowstone National Park > Fishing Bridge, Lake Village Bridge Bay, and the East > Lake Butte Overlook

Lake Butte Overlook

Lake Butte Overlook, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park from Yellowstone NP, USA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

High-elevation overlook offering sweeping panoramic views of Yellowstone Lake, surrounding mountain ranges, forested valleys, and the Yellowstone Plateau.

General Information
Hours:
Open 24 hours a day during the seasonal road-opening period, subject to weather and road conditions.
Fees:
Yellowstone National Park entrance fees apply
Private vehicle: $35 (7-day pass)
Motorcycle: $30 (7-day pass)
Individual (walk/bike): $20 (7-day pass)
Annual Yellowstone Pass: $70
Pet Policy:
Pets are permitted in developed areas when leashed but are not allowed on most trails or in backcountry areas.
Closest cities with hotels:
Cody, Wyoming (approximately 45 mi)
Seasons:
Late spring through fall offers the best access and visibility, depending on snow and road conditions.
Location:
https://maps.google.com/?q=Lake+Butte+Overlook+Yellowstone+National+Park" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Lake Butte Overlook, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Website:
nps.gov/yell

How to Get There

From Cody (45 mi): Follow US-14/16/20 west through Yellowstone's East Entrance, continue toward Fishing Bridge, turn onto Lake Butte Road, and follow the winding road to the summit overlook.

Overview

The Lake Butte Overlook is one of Yellowstone National Park's premier scenic viewpoints, perched high above the eastern shore of Yellowstone Lake. Reached by a side road that climbs to an elevation of more than 8,600 feet, the overlook provides expansive views across North America's largest high-elevation lake and the rugged landscapes that surround it. From the summit, visitors can see the Absaroka Range to the east, the Yellowstone Plateau to the west, and vast stretches of forest and wilderness extending toward the park's interior. The dramatic perspective makes this location a favorite destination for photographers and sightseers seeking a broader appreciation of Yellowstone's immense scale.

In addition to its outstanding scenery, Lake Butte Overlook offers excellent opportunities to observe wildlife and changing weather patterns across the lake basin. Bald eagles, osprey, and other birds are frequently spotted soaring above the shoreline, while the surrounding forests provide habitat for elk, bears, and other native species. At sunrise and sunset, shifting light transforms the lake and mountain scenery into one of the park's most memorable landscapes. The combination of accessibility, elevation, and panoramic views makes Lake Butte Overlook one of Yellowstone's finest scenic destinations.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for Yellowstone Lake and Yellowstone National Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

Yellowstone Lake view from Lake Butte Overlook
Yellowstone Lake view from Lake Butte Overlook, Yellowstone National Park from Yellowstone NP, USA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted