Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features

We went on a 3 hour tour past geothermal features. It was WAY too long for our 9 and 12 yo (and us adults as well). We have been on a lot of kayak tours and this was the worst we have participated in. There was VERY little focus on the park, the lake, the thermal features, etc. The guide did not keep the group together, the water was a little rough (so had to paddle hard the whole time), the thermal features took up 5 minutes of a 3 hour paddle. Overall it was not relaxing or informative!

We had never kayaked prior to this experience. LOVED IT! Only wish we had seen more of the park… then again would be difficult to do so from a kayak… The guide, Sam was GREAT, very patient with us…

Hickory and Anthony were great guides! We had an amazing time and really appreciated their expertise.

Easy 3 hour paddle. Knowledgeable guides! We’re experienced kayakers but decided to do a tandem as the elevation is so high and breathing was a bit difficult w exertion.

Had a wonderful time. Great kayaking trip on a beautiful lake with views of geysers and underwater thermal vents that can't be seen on land. And our guide, Anthony, was great!

Our tour guide Anthony was outstanding. We got to see so many amazing sites from the water that you cannot see from land. Book with Shurr Adventures if you can.

Allí & her team were excellent guides. Being able to kayak on the highest alpine lake in the US AND with all the geothermal features- just wow. Incredible beauty all around. Highly recommend!

Allie and team were amazing guides! Everything was fun and set up perfectly. We had a great tour!

This kayaking tour was really enjoyable. I was concerned at first since temperatures overnight were in the 30s and at the 8:30 launch time were only about 40, but with layers and a bit of sunshine that proved not to be an issue. Our group ranged from inexperienced to moderately experienced kayakers, so we started slowly. Our guide, Annie, was a patient and skilled instructor for the less experienced members and soon had them up to speed. We went past a place where the hot water from the thermal pools poured into the lake and right over bubbling underwater fumaroles. Annie had a large fund of stories and facts about the local wildlife, plants, thermal features and other aspects of Yellowstone. She fielded deeper questions from a couple of knowledgeable members. Expert kayakers might find this tour a bit slow but for most people it really hits the sweet spot. Highly recommended.

First of all, be aware that this is not calm water kayaking. This lake is large enough to be affected by lunar tides and typically strong winds, and so it was more like sea kayaking. I was not aware of this before arriving, otherwise I would not have reserved it because I'm not comfortable with kayaking those conditions. I gave it a try but didn't get far before I had to turn back. The tour operator told me they'd add a note to the listing about the waves, but I don't see one yet. It turned out that it was a good thing we turned back for me, because after the rest of the group went back out, the winds kicked up and sent them back due to dangerous wave heights. If we hadn't delayed, they'd have been too far along to turn back and would have had to beach & wait for the guide to hike back for the truck (which, he said, was rare). So, the rest of our group didn't get to the geyser basin, either. The guide was very nice - helpful & personable - and they had plenty of equipment to borrow. If we had completed our tour, I'm sure we'd have enjoyed it (those of us who were ok with the conditions). We tipped the guide for his kindness & work, and when the operator offered a full refund we accepted half since some of us enjoyed the short paddle.