Earthquake Lake

On August 17, 1959 an earthquake in the Madison Canyon River near West Yellowstone caused a massive landslide of about 80 million tons of rock. The debris blocked the flow of the Madison River creating Earthquake Lake. The earthquake resulted in 28 deaths, flooding, significant damage to buildings and highways throughout the area.

The lake measures five miles long, one-third of a mile wide, and 120 feet deep. Today, many fishermen enjoy fishing by boat or along the shores of the lake. The shoreline is accessible from Highway 287 and a boat ramp can also be found. Float tube fishing is not the best way to fish because of the many timbers below the surface of the water and occasional high winds. However, those timbers create ideal habitats for fish, making for some great dry fly fishing.

Near the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center is Memorial Boulder with a plaque of the names of the 28 people who died in the earthquake. The Visitor Center is open 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend through mid-September.

The Visitor Center phone number:
Summer - 406-682-7620
Winter - 406-823-6961