Heart Lake (Wyoming) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heart Lake |
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Heart Lake, 1962
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 Heart Lake
Location in Wyoming
Heart Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Yellowstone National Park, Teton County, Wyoming, US |
| Coordinates | 44°16′04″N 110°29′20″W / 44.26778°N 110.48889°W |
| Primary outflows | Heart River |
| Surface elevation | 7,461 feet (2,274 m) |
Heart Lake is a large lake located deep inside Yellowstone National Park. It sits at the base of Mount Sheridan and is about 7,461 feet (2,274 m) above sea level. Water from Heart Lake flows into the Heart River.
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How Heart Lake Got Its Name
Heart Lake has an interesting story behind its name! Before 1871, it was likely named after a hunter from the 1840s named Hart Hunney.
However, in 1871, a man named Captain John W. Barlow thought the lake looked like a heart. So, he called it "Heart Lake," and that name stuck. Later, during some geologic surveys, there was an attempt to change the name back to "Hart," but it was decided to keep "Heart Lake" because of its shape.
In 1870, an explorer named Truman C. Everts got separated from his group. He probably camped by this lake and called it "Bessie Lake" after his daughter.
Heart Lake Geyser Basin
Near Heart Lake, you'll find the Heart Lake Geyser Basin. This area has five groups of hydrothermal features, which are places where hot water and steam come out of the ground.
These features include geysers, which are like natural hot water fountains. Some of these geysers are not active all the time, meaning they don't erupt regularly.
Fishing at Heart Lake
Heart Lake is a popular spot for fishing. You can find different types of fish here, including Yellowstone cutthroat trout, lake trout, and mountain whitefish.
Lake trout were first brought to the lake in the 1890s. If you want to fish here, you must use only fly fishing or artificial lures. All cutthroat trout and whitefish you catch must be released back into the water. However, there's no limit on how many lake trout you can keep. The biggest lake trout ever caught in Yellowstone Park, weighing 42 pounds (19 kg), was caught right here in Heart Lake!
Visiting Heart Lake
Getting to Heart Lake is an adventure! It's about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) from the south entrance road near Lewis Lake. You can reach it by hiking on the Heart Lake trail.
Other trails also lead to Heart Lake, like the Trail Creek trail, which goes along the southern shore of Yellowstone Lake. You can also use the Heart River trail or the Snake River trail from the park's southern border.
Remember, Heart Lake is part of a special area called the Heart Lake Bear Management Area. To protect bears, this area is closed to visitors every year between April 1 and June 1.
Images for kids
- Images of Heart Lake
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Heart Lake and Mount Sheridan, around 1890
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Heart Lake from Mount Sheridan, 1965
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Mount Sheridan from Heart Lake, 1968
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Deluge Geyser, Heart Lake Geyser Basin, 1872, by William Henry Jackson
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