Fairy Springs
Fairy Springs flows at 201 degrees Fahrenheit within Yellowstone National Park's Lower Geyser Basin, distinguished by its extreme temperature that exceeds the boiling point at this elevation and heats water 164 degrees above ambient conditions.
The spring emerges at 7,235 feet elevation in Gallatin County, requiring a 1.4-mile hike across thermally active terrain studded with geysers, mud pots, and steaming vents. The Lower Geyser Basin landscape features extensive sinter deposits and thermally altered soils where sparse grasses and lodgepole pine forests transition to barren thermal ground. The Firehole River system drains the basin, collecting runoff from hundreds of thermal features. Winter temperatures averaging 37 degrees Fahrenheit with 152 inches of annual snowfall create dramatic steam plumes above the springs.
The spring derives its name from its delicate appearance within the intensely geological Paint Pot thermal area. Indigenous peoples including the Shoshone, Crow, and Blackfeet knew these thermal areas for millennia before Euro-American exploration. The National Park Service assumed management when Yellowstone became the world's first national park in 1872, establishing permanent protection under the highest conservation status.
Visit between June and September when trails are snow-free, though boardwalks can be crowded in July and August. Carry water and sun protection for the exposed basin hike. Stay on designated trails as thermal crusts can collapse into scalding water below. Combine with visits to other Lower Geyser Basin features along the park's Grand Loop Road.
Is Fairy Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Viewing dramatic geothermal features
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Swimming or soaking
Overview Big Springs Group Area is located 22 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana in beautiful Island Park, Idaho at an approximate elevation of 6,300 feet. Visitors love Island Park for its world-class fishing and outstanding scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.Recreation Big Springs is the headwaters of Henry's Fork and is one of the largest springs in the country. Henry's Fork is considered one of the best fly-fishing streams in the nation. Fishermen cast for rainbow and brook...