Beula Lake Trail

Beula Lake Trail is a 5.2-mile out-and-back from a pullout at the east end of Grassy Lake Reservoir to Beula Lake. Allow about 2½ to 3 hours. The trail climbs to a ridge, crosses rolling lodgepole forest, then descends to the lake; the return follows the same corridor. It is a moderate hike with a real uphill finish, not a level lakeshore stroll. If you are already exploring the Bechler area, the ridge-to-lake walk is a worthwhile half-day outing.

The north-side pullout is easy to overlook. A short way after leaving the road, a sign confirms the trail. The first climb reaches a knoll, where open breaks look back toward Grassy Lake Reservoir. Beyond the ridge, the tread rolls gently through lodgepole pines, with few broad views through the middle stretch. In late summer or early fall, huckleberry groundcover can turn burgundy.

Near the far ridge, the lake comes into view with Mount Sheridan and its lookout beyond. The trail then drops fairly steeply; a brief opening gives a glimpse of neighboring Hering Lake before the path reaches Beula's shore. A shoreline continuation has been reported past several campsites, but its exact endpoint is not mapped in the official trail information. The route here turns around at the lake shore rather than treating a campsite as a required destination. For the ridge photo, frame the lake with Mount Sheridan and the lookout beyond it.

Beula Lake covers about 107 acres and supports Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Fishing requires a Yellowstone fishing permit. Lily pads and waterfowl have been noted at the shore, though wildlife sightings vary. No food service or potable-water source is documented at the trail access, so plan for a backcountry walk without services along the route.