Bijah Spring
Bijah Spring flows at 198°F in Yellowstone's Norris area, though recent USGS measurements recorded just 21°C, suggesting the 198°F historical reading may reflect a different vent or changed thermal conditions. Located 16.9 meters from Grand Loop Road at 7,540 feet elevation, this roadside spring shows acidic pH 5.4 with low dissolved solids including 12.6 mg/L calcium and 11.9 mg/L sodium. The spring emerges 163.3 degrees above ambient temperature in the historical temperature dataset.
The spring discharges at 7,540 feet elevation near Norris Geyser Basin, the park's hottest and most dynamic thermal area where subsurface temperature changes alter surface spring behavior across seasonal and decadal timescales. Bare thermal ground and hydrothermal alteration create acidic soils with limited vegetation, while lodgepole pine forests border the thermal areas. The terrain sits at the intersection of three major volcanic structures within the Yellowstone caldera, creating intense geothermal gradients. The Gallatin Mountains rise to the north, with the Gibbon River draining thermal waters westward through forested valleys.
Bijah Spring appears in historical Yellowstone thermal inventories, though documentation remains limited compared to the park's more prominent features. The name's origin is uncertain. OpenStreetMap designates this location as Bijah Springs, suggesting multiple vents. Indigenous peoples including Shoshone, Bannock, and Crow knew the Norris area's thermal features during pre-park occupation. National Park Service management maintains strict preservation protocols, with the spring's variability reflecting the dynamic nature of Yellowstone's hydrothermal system.
Visit between May and October when Grand Loop Road provides reliable access to the Norris area. The roadside location allows viewing without trail hiking, though thermal area safety requires staying on designated surfaces and respecting closure signs. Norris Geyser Basin's dynamic thermal system creates unpredictable changes including new thermal features and altered spring behavior. The 7,540-foot elevation creates cool conditions requiring layered clothing. Combine with Norris Museum and extensive geyser basin boardwalks showcasing the park's most active thermal area.
Is Bijah Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Bijah Spring is acidic (pH 5.4).
Overview Located about eight miles (13 km) south of Mammoth Hot Springs on the road to Norris, Indian Creek Campground—elevation 7,300 feet (2225 m)—sits near the base of the Gallatin Mountains and offers breathtaking views of Electric Peak. The area offers easy access to fishing and hiking. The campground is away from the main road and provides a quieter, more primitive, experience than many other locations. For reservations at the campgrounds managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Fi...