Yellowstone NP back country campsite 4R2 is a campsite located on the north shore of Ribbon Lake set among a lodge pole pine forest. The proximity of the lake makes for easy water access. The site has plenty of flat locations to place your tent. The camping area is besides the lake. The food storage, cooking and eating area is located a short distance, slightly uphill from the camping area and is quiet large with large rock fire ring at the site. Fires are allowed at this back country site, but be make sure there are no fire restrictions in place before starting one. As with all back country sites this is trash-in, trash-out, filter your water, make your own place to do your business and if you make a fire be sure it is dead out. To get to the campsite you have three trail heads to choose from. The shortest will be from Artist Point(4KB) trail head, from here it is a short 2.4 mile hike. The next is from Clear Lake(4N2) trail head, from here it is a 3 mile hike. The third choice is Wapiti Lake(4K7) trail head, from here it is either a 3.3 mile or 4.3 mile hike depending on the route you choose. I would recommend getting the most out of your back country experience and take the longer route out of Wapiti Lake trail head. We made out trip a loop hike, starting at Wapiti Lake Trail Head and did the Wapiti Lake/Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake loop. This loop has you hiking counter clockwise. Starting at Wapiti Lake Trail Head hike.5 miles to the first trail junction, take the trail to the right(Wapiti Lake Trail). After.4 more miles stay to the left continuing on Wapiti Lake Trail. At the 3 mile mark you will leave Wapiti Lake trail turning left on to Wapiti Cut-off trail. After another.9 miles you will reach the junction for Ribbon lake and the campsites. Turn right and continue for about.4 miles to the campsite 4R2. You will see a sign for Cord Cascade at this last junction before the campsite, the creek for this cascade is located between 4R1 and 4R2 but this 1,000 foot waterfall can only be seen from the opposite side of the canyon. Shortly after crossing the creek you will have an amazing view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The campsite area is just a short distance past this amazing view. For your return trip take the Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake trail all the way back to Wapiti Lake Trail head. This loop will take you through about every ecosystem in the park, from open grass fields, pine forest, lakes, wetlands, and thermal features.
