Alum Creek
(central Yellowstone, in Hayden Valley)Name known prior to 1870. Name refers to alum characteristics of the creek.
Amethyst Creek
(northeastern Yellowstone, east of Tower Fall)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. Named from Amethyst Mountain from which it flows.
Amphitheater Creek
(northeaster Yellowstone, east of Amethyst Creek)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey. Named from the amphitheater-shaped valley near the mouth of the creek.
Atlantic Creek
(south of the park, near Pacific Creek)Named in 1873 by Captain Jones. Named for the fact that it is the creek that flows down the Atlantic slope of Two-Ocean Pass--where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans' waters meet.
Bear Creek
(just north of the Park's boundary near Gardiner, MT). Named in 1863 by a party of prospectors led by a man named Austin. There they found a hairless cub and named the creek Bear.
Bechler River
(river flowing out the southwestern corner of Yellowstone)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for Gustavus R. Bechler, a topographer on the Snake River Division of the Hayden Expedition of 1872.
Black-tail Deer Creek
(near or just north of park's northern boundary, east of Gardiner, Montana). Named prior to 1870 apparently because it was home to black-tail deer.
Boone Creek
(south of the southwest corner of Yellowstone)Named prior to 1870. Named for Robert Winslow, a pioneer of Irish descent who used to call himself "Daniel Boone the Second."
Bridge Creek
(flows from Bridge Bay)Named in 1871 by the United States Geological Survey. A tributary of Bridge Creek runs under Yellowstone's "Natural Bridge."
Bridger Lake
(just south of the southeastern corner of Yellowstone)Name already in common use prior to 1870. Named for James Bridger, "the Daniel Boone of the Rockies", fur trapper, guide, and popularizer of myths (many of which turned out to be close to the truth) about Yellowstone.(a link to a short biography on Bridger will be made available as ready).
Cache Creek
(northeastern Yellowstone, mostly south of Mt. Norris)Named in 1863 by a prospecting party led by a man named Austin. The story of this creek is that this prospecting party was in camp on this stream when all their stock was stolen except one or two mules. Without mules to carry their baggage, they cached what they could not carry. The name arose from that.
Calfee Creek
(northeastern Yellowstone, south of Cache Creek)Named by Philetus Norris in 1880. Named for H. B. Calfee, a notable photographer of Yellowstone.
Conant Creek
(south of southwestern boundary of Yellowstone)Named prior to 1870 by Richard Leigh. Named for Al Conant, who came to the mountains in 1865 and almost lost his life on that stream."
Coulter Creek
(on the park's south central boundary)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey for John M. Coulter, botanist in the Hayden Expedition of 1872.
Crevice Creek
(on park's northern boundary, east of Gardiner, MT)Named in 1867 by a prospecting party led by Lou Anderson. Apparently, they found gold in a crevice at the mouth of the creek, and so they named it Crevice Gulch.
Crystal Falls
(near the Upper Falls)Named in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition. The falls exhibits the quality of crystal in appearance.
De Lacy Creek
(Southeastern Yellowstone flowing from the Continental Divide into Shoshone Lake)Named in 1880 by Philetus Norris. Named for Walter W. De Lacy, the first white man known to have passed through that valley in 1863. The creek was originally named Madison Creek by the Hayden Expedition of 1871. The name was changed to reflect an inaccuracy in the naming of Madison Lake, which had been thought to be the source of the Madison River (See Shoshone Lake)(a link to a short biography of De Lacy will be made available as ready).
Delusion Lake
(between the southern shore of West Thumb and the main body of Yellowstone Lake)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. Named because the lake had for a long time falsely thought to have been an arm of Yellowstone Lake. This lake was thought to be the "index finger" of Yellowstone Lake, right next to the "thumb" or West Thumb.
Firehole Falls
(on the Firehole River just south of the junction of the Firehole and the Madison)Named long before 1870. Name taken from the Firehole River.
Firehole River
(eastern Yellowstone, flowing north toward the Madison)Name dates back to 1830. "Firehole" and "Burnt Hole" long used as names to describe the river and the geyser basins along them. The term "Hole" is an old name used to describe open valleys or parks among the mountains. Often "holes" referred to one of these areas in which a prominent trapper or person of that era used to claim as his own. The term "fire" arises from the vast thermal activity of the area.
Gallatin Lake
(northwestern Yellowstone, southwest of Mammoth Hot Springs)Named by the United States Geological Survey in 1885 for the Gallatin River of which it is the source.
Gallatin River
(river flowing out of northwestern corner of Yellowstone)Named in 1805 by Lewis and Clark. Named for Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury under President Thomas Jefferson.
Gardner River
(river flowing out the north entrance of the Park, north of Mammoth Hot Springs)Named long before 1870 and sometime after 1831. Named for Johnson Gardner, a trapper of the American Fur Company. In 1831 or 1832, Gardner began trapping in what became known as Gardner's Hole. The river took the name from the valley. The name "Gardiner", the spelling of which is applied to the town of Gardiner, MT, in that area, also refers to this man but was a misspelling that appeared first in the Washburn Expedition of 1870. Apparently, the name was known before then. In years prior to 1870, prospectors called the river Warm Spring Creek, for the warm springs (notably the "Boiling River")which flow into the river. Chittenden was not aware of Johnson Gardner's spelling, and refers to both the river and the town as "Gardiner". However, the correct name of the river is Gardner while the town is still spelled "Gardiner." (primary source for this is from Aubrey Haines, with some Chittenden).
Gibbon River
(eastern Yellowstone, flowing southwest into Madison River)Named by United States Geological Survey in 1872. Named for General John Gibbon, who first explored it. Gibbon Falls also rests on this river, named for the river.
Heart Lake
(southern Yellowstone, just east of Mt. Sheridan)Present form of name dates back to Captain Barlow in 1871, but name derives from a much earlier date. Controversy exists as to what the proper spelling of the name of the lake should be, and to whom or what the name refers. Hayden said, "Long known to the hunters of the region as Heart Lake." Chittenden believes the lake was named after an old hunter by the name of Hart Hunney who apparently used to trade in that area. Barlow apparently thought the name of the lake referred to its shape. Chittenden does not think it resembles a heart at all; however in reality, it does have a vague resemblance to a heart, although Chittenden is right in saying that nearby Lewis Lake looks more like a heart than Heart Lake. In any event, the name dates before Barlow, and both spellings of the lake appear throughout the park history, with "Heart" becoming the most dominant.
Hell Roaring Creek
(north central Yellowstone, northwest of Tower Junction)Named in 1867 by a prospecting party led by Lou Anderson. Named for a description of the sound of the river given by one of the prospectors by the name of Hubbel.
Henry Lake
(in Idaho, west of Yellowstone)Named long before 1870. Named for Andrew Henry, a famous fur trapper, who built a trading post in that area in 1809.
Hering Lake
(in southwestern Yellowstone, near the southern boundary)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for Rudolph Hering, a topographer with the Snake River Division of the Hayden Expedition of 1872.
Indian Creek
(northern Yellowstone, south of Mammoth Hot Springs)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for the Bannock Indians, for whom along part of this creek, the Great Bannock Trail passed.
Indian Pond
(just north of the northern end of Yellowstone Lake)Named in 1880 by Philetus Norris. Apparently, it was an ancient, frequently used campground by Indians. Norris says, "My favorite camp on Yellowstone Lake (and it evidently has been a favorite one for the Indian) has ever been upon the grove-dotted bluff, elevated thirty or forty feet above the lake, directly fronting Indian Pond."
Isa Lake
(in southern Yellowstone, on the Continental Divide, on Craig Pass between Old Faithful and West Thumb)Named in 1893 by N.P.R.R. (?, Chittenden does not account for abbreviation) for Isabel Jelke, a tourist from Cincinnati. I heard a humorous joke regarding the name of Isa Lake, which is entirely false. Isa Lake is a very small body of water. The story goes that a couple early trappers came upon it and wondered, "Is it er pond, or is it er lake?" when all of the sudden the lake rose up and said, "I's a lake," and so the name has stood ever since.
Jackson Lake
(in Northern Grand Teton National Park)Date of its naming unknown. Named for David Jackson, a noted mountaineer and one of the first three partners of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. John Colter discovered the lake during the Lewis and Clark Expedition and was named Lake Biddle, honoring Lewis Biddle, the person who gave the first authentic journal of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the world. However, that name obviously did not stick.
Jenny Lake
(southern Grand Teton National Park, impressively resting under the group of mountains upon which the Grand Teton towers)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey for the wife of Richard Leigh who was a Shoshone Indian.
Jones Creek
(eastern Yellowstone, flowing from the Absaroka range in the proximity of the East Entrance)Named in 1880 by Philetus Norris. Named for Captain W. A. Jones (later Lt. Col.) of the Corps of Engineers. Jones was the first person to explore the area, was a leader of an expedition through the park in 1873, and was an early pioneer in the road system of the park.
Kepler Cascade
(just south of Old Faithful)Named in 1881 by Philetus Norris for the son of an ex-Governor of Wyoming named John W. Hoyt, who accompanied his father on a trip to the park in 1881. The boy was only twelve at the time; and in honor of his bravery and toil through the region, Norris named the cascade after him.
Lamar River
(northeastern Yellowstone, flowing into the Yellowstone from the northeast corner of the park)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for L.Q.C. Lamar, Secretary of the Interior during the first Grover Cleveland administration. Until that time, and for some time after by the locals, the river was called "the East Fork of the Yellowstone River" because it was the east fork of that river.
Leigh Lake
(in Grand Teton National Park, on the southern end of Jackson Lake)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for Richard Leigh, or "Beaver Dick." Richard Leigh was a famous hunter, trapper, and guide in the Teton Range. "Beaver Dick," interestingly enough, originated not because Leigh was an expert beaver trapper but because his two front teeth stuck out like a beaver. So, the Indians called Leigh "The Beaver."
Lewis Lake
(southern Yellowstone southeast of Shoshone Lake)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for Captain Merriweather Lewis, of "Lewis and Clark" fame. Bradley had this to say about the naming:"As it had no name, so far as we could ascertain, we decided to call it Lewis Lake, in memory of that gallant explorer Captain Merriweather Lewis. The south fork of the Columbia, which was to have perpetuated his name, has reverted to its Indian title Shoshone, and is commonly known by that name, or its translation, Snake River. As this lake lies near the head of one of the principal forks of that stream, it may not be inappropriately called Lewis Lake."
Lewis River
(southern Yellowstone flowing south out the South Entrance)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey after Lewis Lake, its source. (See Lewis Lake)
Lost Lake
(west of West Thumb)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey. It is so named because it has no apparent outlet and is hidden a bit by the surrounding hills. Chittenden thinks that Norris called this lake "Two-Ocean Pond."
Madison Lake
(southwestern Yellowstone, west of Shoshone Lake)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for the Madison River of which it is the source. Originally, Madison Lake was the name given to Lake Shoshone, and it is to that "Madison Lake" to which the Act of Dedication makes mention.
Madison River
(western Yellowstone flowing out the west entrance of the park)Named in 1805 by Lewis and Clark. Named for James Madison, then Secretary of State under Thomas Jefferson, later fourth President of the United States, "father of the Constitution." The Madison River is a large river flowing well outside the park boundaries.
Mary Lake
(central Yellowstone)Named in 1873 by a tourist party. Named because of the circumstances recorded by Rev. E. J. Stanley, a member of the party, in his book Rambles in Wonderland: "We passed along the bank of a lovely little lakelet, sleeping in seclusion in the shade of towering evergreens, by which it is sheltered from the roaring tempests. It is near the divide and on its pebbly shore some members of our party unfurled the Stars and Stripes, and christened it Mary's Lake, in honor of Miss Clark, a young lady belonging to our party."
Mason Creek
(east of Yellowstone's East Entrance)Named in 1881 by Philetus Norris for Major Julius W. Mason, commander of Wyoming Governor John W. Hoyt's escort. Hoyt was making a reconnaissance for a wagon road to the Park in 1881.
Miller Creek
(just south of Calfee Creek in northeastern Yellowstone)Named in 1880 by Philetus Norris. Named for a man named Miller, who apparently was with or in contact with Norris in 1880. Miller apparently recognized the creek bearing his name (Miller's first name is unknown) as one he had descended in retreating from Indians in 1870.
Nez Perce Creek
(central Yellowstone flowing into the Firehole River)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for the Nez Perce Indians who passed through the park on their tragic flight from the army in 1877. The creek had been called the East Fork of the Firehole, and had been named "Hayden's Fork" by Professor Bradley of the U.S.G.S. in 1872.(a link to a short history of the Nez Perce in Yellowstone will be made available as ready.)
Pacific Creek
(south of the southern boundary, east of the Teton Range)Named in 1873 by Captain W. A. Jones. Named because it flows toward the Pacific Ocean from Two Ocean Pass.
Pelican Creek
(eastern Yellowstone flowing north out the north end of Yellowstone Lake)Named in 1864 by a prospecting party led by Adam "Horn Miller. John C. Davis, a prospector with the party and a man who had been with Walter De Lacy the year before, describes the naming: "We camped on this creek, and noticed several large birds which appeared to be wild geese. I shot one, which managed to fly out some distance in the lake before it fell. I swam out after it, and became very much exhausted before I reached it. It looked as if it might be good to eat so I skinned it, and then the boys concluded it would hardly do. I hung the pelican--for that was what it was--on a tree, and it was found, afterward by Miller, who came with his party.(Haines used as primary source, as Chittenden thought the origin came from the Washburn Expedition, but did not know.)
Rainbow Falls
(in southwestern Yellowstone on the park's southern boundary)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for the rainbow-appearance of the falls which total three.
Rescue Creek
(northern Yellowstone, east of Mammoth Hot Springs, near Mt. Everts)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. It had been supposed that Truman Everts had been found on this creek by Jack Baronett in 1870 after being lost for a month from the Washburn Expedition. (see Mt. Everts)
Riddle Lake
(a few miles south of Grant Village)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Professor Bradley had these words to say about the "riddle" of Riddle Lake:"'Lake Riddle' is a fugitive name, which has been located at several places, but nowhere permanently. It is supposed to have been used originally to designate the mythical lake, among the mountains, whence, according to the hunters, water flowed to both oceans. I have agreed to Mr. Hering's proposal to attach the name to this lake, which is directly upon the divide at a point where the waters of the two oceans start so nearly together, and thus to solve the unsolved 'riddle' of the 'two-ocean water.' A year later Captain Jones found just such a body of water (Two Ocean Pass).
Sentinel Creek
(western Yellowstone, flowing east into the Firehole River)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Named because two geysers along the stream appeared to be guarding the Upper Valley, and so the creek took its name from the appearance of the two geysers.
Shoshone Lake
(southern Yellowstone, south of Craig Pass and Old Faithful)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for the Shoshone River (or Snake River, which is now its permanent name), of which it is the source. Originally, Walter De Lacy, a prospector, named the Lake after himself after coming through the area in 1863. De Lacy had correctly noted that the lake was on the western side of the Continental Divide. The Washburn Expedition apparently named in Washburn Lake. In 1871, Ferdinand Hayden renamed the lake, Madison Lake, after incorrectly surmising that it was the source of the Madison River, which is on the eastern side of the Divide. Shoshone Lake is the Madison Lake that appears in the Act of Dedication. In 1872, the U.S.G.S. determined the correct drainage of the river, thus vindicating De Lacy's earlier claim.
Shoshone River
(east of Yellowstone, road to East Entrance flows through a pass along this river)Named after 1895. Named for the Shoshone Indians who inhabited the Absaroka Mountains through which the river passes. For years, the river was known as the Stinkingwater. It received its original name possibly from Indian usage, referring to a stinking hot spring near the junction of the principal forks of the river. John Colter referred to it as "Stinkingwater" after his journeys in 1807-8. Lewis and Clark were aware of "Stinkingwater" before in 1805 when they gave a river near that locality the name of "Stinking Cabin Creek." Scholarship has also suggested that the name may have originated with trappers who may have been in that region before Lewis and Clark (who never actually saw the river). Clearly, the unappealing nature of "Stinkingwater" led to the more pristine "Shoshone" which it now is called. (Haines also used as a source).
Snake River
(flows south through southern Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park)Named in 1805 by Lewis and Clark. One of the legendary rivers of the West. Large river named for the Snake, or Shoshone--which means Snake--Indians, who dwelt in the valley of the river. The river also has snake-like characteristics, but the shape of the river has nothing to do with its name.
Soda Butte Creek
(northeastern Yellowstone)Named probably by miners prior to 1870. Named for an extinct geyser (named Soda Butte) near the mouth of the stream.
Solution Creek
(southern Yellowstone, south of Grant Village, outlet of Riddle Lake)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. So named because it is the "solution" of the "riddle" concerning Riddle Lake (see Riddle Lake).
Sulphur Creek
(just northeast of Canyon Village)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for the characteristic sulphur content and smell of the creek. In the local area, for years, the name was also applied to a creek which flowed from the hot springs of Sulphur Mountain.
Surprise Creek
(southern Yellowstone, flowing west into Heart Lake)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey. Named because the 1885 exploration was surprised to find that the course of the creek was quite different than earlier explorations had indicated.
Tangled Creek
(western Yellowstone, in the Lower Geyser Basin)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey. It is characteristic of this creek which is a hot water stream flowing through several intertwined channels.
Thoroughfare Creek
(flows out the southeastern corner of Yellowstone)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey. The "thoroughfare" refers to the easy route it offers through the Absaroka Range.
Tower Creek
(northern Yellowstone, flowing into the Yellowstone River from Tower Fall)Named in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition. Named with Tower Fall.(see Tower Fall).
Tower Fall
(northern Yellowstone, east of Tower Junction)Named in 1870 by the Washburn Expedition. Named for the tower-like features which surround the falls. Nathaniel Pitt Langford wrote this about the naming: "In camp to-day several names were proposed for the creek and fall, and after much discussion the name 'Minaret' was selected. Later, this evening, this decision has been reconsidered, and we have decided to substitute the name 'Tower' for 'Minaret,' and call it 'Tower Fall.'" Langford, then has this amusing story to tell about the name change: "At the outset of our journey we had agreed that we would not give to any object of interest which we might discover the name of any of our party nor of our friends. This rule was to be religously observed. While in camp on Sunday, August 28th, on the bank of this creek, it was suggested that we select a name for the creek and fall. Walter Trumbull suggested 'Minaret Creek' and 'Minaret Fall.' Mr. Hauser suggested 'Tower Creek' and 'Tower Fall.' After some discussion a vote was taken, and by a small majority the name "Minaret" was decided upon. During the following evening Mr. Hauser stated with great seriousness that we had violated the agreement made relative to naming objects for our friends. He said that the well known Southern family--the Rhetts--lived in St. Louis, and that they had a most charming and accomplished daughter named 'Minnie.' He said that this daughter was a sweetheart of Trumbull, who had proposed the name--her name--'Minnie Rhett'--and that we had unwittingly given to the fall and creek the name of this sweetheart of Mr. Trumbull. Mr. Trumbull indignantly denied the truth of Hauser's statement, and Hauser as determinedly insisted that it was the truth, and the vote was therefore reconsidered, and by a substantial majority it was decided to substitute the name 'Tower' for 'Minaret.' Later, and when it was too late to recall or reverse the action of our party, it was surmised that Hauser himself had a sweetheart in St. Louis, a Miss Tower. Some of our party, Walter Trumbull especially, always insisted that such was the case. The weight of the testimony was so evenly balanced I shall hesitate long before I believe either side of this part of the story." Obviously, the rule about not naming features after people was soon broken repeatedly, initially by the naming of Mt. Washburn. (Langford used as source).
Trail Creek
(off the southeast finger of Yellowstone Lake)Named in 1873 by Captain W. A. Jones for an elk trail along it.
Trappers' Creek
(southeastern Yellowstone, flows into Yellowstone River, southwest of Eagle Peak)Named in 1885 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for the great number of beavers along it.
Violet Creek
(central Yellowstone, flowing into Alum Creek)Named in 1872 by the United States Geological Survey. Named for the large number of violets growing along its banks.
Virginia Cascade
(central Yellowstone, between Norris Geyser Basin and Canyon Village)Named in 1886 by E. Lamartine, then time foreman in charge of government work in the Park. Named for the wife of Charles Gibson, President of the Yellowstone Park Association.
Witch Creek
(southern Yellowstone, south of Riddle Lake)Named in 1878 by the United States Geological Survey. Apparently named for the prevalence of hot springs along it, reminiscent of a witch's brew.
Yellowstone Falls
(consisting of both the 308 foot Lower Fall and the 109 foot Upper Fall forming the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Named after the river. (See Historic Origin of Yellowstone as a Place Name).
Yellowstone Lake
(large lake covering much of eastern and southeastern Yellowstone)Named in the early nineteenth century for the river which flows through it. This lake appeared on the map showing John Colter's 1807-8 route through Yellowstone as Lake Eustis, in honor of President James Madison's Secretary of War, John Eustis. In the trapping era, it appeared sometimes as Sublette Lake after a fur trapper named William Sublette. Sometimes, it was called "Riddle Lake" (see Riddle Lake). However, it had received popular usage in its current name early in its history.(See Historic Origin of Yellowstone as a Place Name ).
Yellowstone River