Heart Lake is a wild, 2,150-acre backcountry lake in southern Yellowstone National Park – the park’s second-largest backcountry lake, ringed by geysers and watched over by Mount Sheridan. Reached by an 8-mile hike, it’s a destination for serious anglers and backpackers, holding native cutthroat and giant lake trout (the park record came from here). This guide is part of our growing Wyoming Lakes Database.
Heart Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~2,150 acres (the second-largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone)
- Depth: maximum ~180 ft
- Access: a roughly 8-mile hike (one way) from the Heart Lake trailhead in southern Yellowstone
- Top fish: native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and large lake trout (park record: 42 lbs)
- Permit: a Yellowstone fishing permit (and a backcountry permit to camp) is required
A wild backcountry lake
Heart Lake sits in a remote basin beneath Mount Sheridan, fed by hot springs and bordered by the steaming Heart Lake Geyser Basin. At about 2,150 acres and 180 feet deep, it’s the second-largest of Yellowstone’s backcountry lakes – big, deep, cold water in a roadless wilderness. Reaching it takes an 8-mile hike, which keeps the crowds away and rewards backpackers with one of the park’s classic wild settings.
Fishing Heart Lake
Heart Lake holds native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and big lake trout – the park-record lake trout, 42 pounds, was caught here. A Yellowstone National Park fishing permit is required (a state license doesn’t cover park waters), and park regulations apply: anglers are encouraged (often required) to harvest non-native lake trout to protect the native cutthroat, so check current rules. The fishing is excellent for those willing to make the hike; many anglers backpack in for several days.
Hiking, camping and what to know
The Heart Lake Trail runs about 8 miles to the lakeshore, with the side trip up Mount Sheridan a strenuous bonus for big views. Backcountry campsites at the lake must be reserved with a backcountry permit. This is deep grizzly country and an active thermal area – carry bear spray, store food properly, stay on trails near hot springs, and be fully self-sufficient. The Heart Lake area sometimes has seasonal bear closures, so check before you go.
Getting there and what’s nearby
The Heart Lake trailhead is in southern Yellowstone National Park, off the South Entrance Road near Lewis Lake. Lewis Lake, Shoshone Lake and the South Entrance (toward Grand Teton) are in the broader area.
Know before you go
- Permits: a Yellowstone fishing permit, plus a backcountry permit to camp.
- Big lake trout: harvest non-native lake trout per park rules to protect native cutthroat.
- Remote & wild: an 8-mile hike into grizzly and thermal country – be prepared and check closures.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Heart Lake?
Native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and large lake trout – the park record lake trout (42 pounds) came from Heart Lake.
How do you get to Heart Lake?
By an approximately 8-mile hike from the Heart Lake trailhead in southern Yellowstone; most visitors backpack in.
How deep is Heart Lake?
About 180 feet at its deepest, across roughly 2,150 acres – the second-largest backcountry lake in Yellowstone.
Where is Heart Lake?
In southern Yellowstone National Park, off the South Entrance Road near Lewis Lake, beneath Mount Sheridan.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Wyoming, or head back to the Wyoming Lakes Database.
Explore more Wyoming lakes: the largest lakes in Wyoming and the deepest lakes in Wyoming.
