Sundance Lake

Difficulty: Moderate
Trip Type: Day Hike / Multi-Day Backpacking
Distance: ~7.6 miles from trailhead
Elevation: 9,601 feet
Coordinates: 45.10929, -109.57762
Time: ~4 hours from trailhead
Access: Maintained trail. Departs from the West Fork Rock Creek Trailhead.
Bugs: Minimal (little to no bugs)

Getting there

The journey begins at the West Fork Rock Creek Trailhead. Drive past the campgrounds along the gravel access road to reach the primary parking and staging area.

The hike

If you are traveling straight from the vehicle turnaround, the route to Sundance Lake spans roughly 7.6 miles one way and involves almost 1,700 vertical feet of elevation gain. You will follow the main, highly maintained trail up through the scenic valley past Quinnebaugh Meadows.

The trail remains well-defined all the way up to the footbridge. This bridge crosses the creek just below the lake and serves as the primary route marker before the trail begins its rigorous climb toward Sundance Pass.

Tips & safety

• High Country Staging: Sundance Lake sits directly along the main trail system, making it a very accessible and popular stopping point. Leaving the trail at the footbridge allows you to transition off-trail into the adjacent drainages toward Shadow Lake.

• Weather: High-altitude mountain weather can turn fast here, with afternoon thundershowers common during peak summer months.

• Fishing: FWP and GNIS data listed for Yellowstone Cutthroat.