Best Picnic Spots on Yellowstone's Lower Loop
- Eric Beuning
- Mar 25
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 12
Yellowstone National Park’s Lower Loop offers some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. Yet the food service options are often poor and over-priced, which is why so many people choose to stop for a picnic at one of the many designated picnic spots and parking lots throughout the southern “Lower Loop.”
Unfortunately landmarks like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring are often overcrowded with other tourists. People waiting to take your parking spot, and that guy who left his barking dog in his car with the window cracked hardly made for a peaceful picnic stop.
So, I went through mine and my late father’s notes to find some of the best picnic spots on Yellowstone’s Lower Loop, starting from the West Entrance heading East.
Riverside Drive Picnic Area
Location: Near the Madison River, just east of the Western Entrance.
Amenities: Picnic tables, restrooms nearby, fishing access.
One of the biggest problems with staying in West Yellowstone is the massive lines to get into the park. To beat the crowds, you can get up early skip breakfast at first and get into the park to eat a simple morning meal at Riverside Drive.
It has stunning views of the water and there’s a decent chance of seeing by wildlife like elk and bison. The picnic tables are spread out, offering a sense of seclusion, and the gentle sounds of the river make for a relaxing atmosphere.
The problem is that everyone else who got up early will also try to stop here. The trash bins can get full fast, and the vault toilets can be sketchy. So, if you see a lot of cars already there, and you don’t need toilet facilities, I will head on to less crowded picnic areas.
Seven-Mile Bridge Pull-Thru
Location: Just to the east of Seven-Mile Bridge on the Madison River.
Amenities: None
There are some other pull-thru spots after Riverside Drive Picnic Area to consider, but my favorite spot for breakfast after Yellowstone’s West Entrance is the pull-thru just after the Seven-Mile Bridge. Wildlife that beds down in the wooded hills to the south tend to come down to the river for water in the early morning hours for a drink.
Yet the two spans of the Madison River and the island in the middle act like a buffer, keeping curious animals from coming all the way to the parking area. While there’s no guarantee, this spot offers you a better chance of seeing animals while munching on breakfast than the pull-thru spots you passed.
I also think it’s easier to get a trailer in and out of. The trade-off is that there aren’t any picnic tables or toilets
Firehole Canyon Drive
Location: Off the Lower Loop, South of Madison Campground
Amenities: Scenic drive, limited picnic tables, no restrooms
A short drive south of Madison Campground, there’s a road to the right called Firehole Canyon Drive.” It takes you along the Firehole River, Firehole Falls, and the swimming area. It’s a scenic one-way road that follows the Firehole River with a few small blisters on the side of the road to park at.
Your first good option to pull over for a picnic is about a mile in, just after a warning sign. There’s a fair amount of parking to the left, but no picnic tables or bathrooms.
The next best spot for a picnic on this route is the Firehole River Swimming area. It only offers roadside parking, but there are bathrooms here.
Fountain Flat Drive Picnic Area
Location: Near Midway Geyser Basin on Fountain Flat Drive
Amenities: Parking, picnic tables, restrooms at nearby Grand Prismatic viewing area
This is a secret gem with two spots to take a quiet picnic area just off the Lower Loop is an excellent stop before or after visiting the famous Grand Prismatic Spring. Fountain Flat Drive leads to the Firehole River and you can stop at the Nez Perce picnic area or head to the end of the road, which is the parking lot for the Ojo Caliente Spring trail. The Nez Perce picnic area has a vault toilet, and the river is shallow enough to wade.
This is a great spot to have a picnic and stretch your legs. The hot spring isn’t that far straight down the trail, and sections of the river are suitable for soaking your feet. There’s also a modest chance of seeing wildlife here near dawn and dusk. So, be mindful of animals before you head out for a post-picnic walk.
Kepler Cascades Picnic Area Lower Loop
Location: South of Old Faithful along the Lower Loop
Amenities: Small number of picnic tables
While Old Faithful itself is often too crowded for a peaceful picnic, just a few miles south, you’ll find Kepler Cascades. It’s also a decent spot to stop for a meal if you have a trailer as there’s a long pull-through area.
It’s technically an overlook for a series of waterfalls cascading over rugged cliffs, with picnic tables set in the surrounding pine forest. It’s a perfect place to stop and relax before continuing your journey east. If you’re headed west toward Old Faithful and you know you have some time to kill before the next eruption, it’s arguably your best place to stretch your legs.
I’ve seen more than one person towing a trailer, unhitch here and leave their trailer here to drive into the parking melee of the Old Faithful complex. However, I don’t know how legal that is from a Park Ranger’s perspective.
Shoshone Lake Overlook Picnic Area
Location: Near West Thumb Geyser Basin
Amenities: Limited tables, scenic views, no restrooms
Shoshone Lake is one of the largest backcountry lakes in the United States, and is a nice place to have a picnic away from the crowds. The overlook offers a breathtaking view of the lake. There’s usually a nice breeze, which can be a real godsend on a hot day when you want to turn off the AC and roll the windows down.
Bridge Bay Marina Picnic Area
Location: Near Bridge Bay Campground
Amenities: Picnic tables, restrooms, marina access
Bridge Bay is a fantastic picnic stop, especially if you’re thinking about boating or fishing on the lake. The marina provides beautiful views of Yellowstone Lake and has several shaded picnic tables.
It’s also a great place to watch the boats come and go. The bathrooms are clean and with a low risk of wildlife due to human activity, you can let your kids run around a little bit to burn off some energy.
Pumice Point Picnic Area Lower Loop
Location: Near the shores of Yellowstone Lake
Amenities: 1 picnic table, lakeshore access, no restroom but many nearby
Pumice Point Picnic area is a secret gem of a picnic spot on the north side of Yellowstone Lake. It’s down an unmarked road north of the actual Pumice Point. You drive down a tree-lined dirt track to a primitive parking spot and a trail that opens up to a clearing on the lake shore.
It’s an awesome place for a quiet picnic surrounded by volcanic rock formations while watching the gentle waves lap against the shore. However, this is a known bear area, so don’t go blindly wandering down the trail with a bacon sandwich in your hand without making sure you have your bear spray with you!
Fishing Bridge Picnic Area
Location: Near the historic Fishing Bridge
Amenities: Picnic tables, restrooms, visitor center nearby
One of the final stops along this stretch of the lower loop is the Fishing Bridge area offers a mix of history and nature. There’s also a gas station and a massive general store where you can pick up everything you need for a picnic!
Picnic tables are available nearby and throughout this little village. There are proper bathrooms with running water and flushing toilets. A great place to get the kids cleaned up after lunch!
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