Gas Vents At Horseshoe Hill
This thermal feature produces 97-degree Fahrenheit water at 7,640 feet elevation, accessible via 2.6-mile hike from Grand Loop Road. The near-neutral pH of 6.6 and moderate mineral content distinguish it from the park's more acidic thermal features, with USGS measurements recording 9.8 milligrams per liter sodium and 5.89 milligrams per liter calcium.
The vents occupy rolling terrain at Horseshoe Hill, a prominent landform in the transition zone between Mammoth Hot Springs thermal terraces and Norris Geyser Basin. Lodgepole pine forest surrounds the thermal area, with meadow openings where thermal runoff influences vegetation patterns. Indian Creek flows through the broader drainage system several miles west. The site sits at moderate elevation for Yellowstone, experiencing 33.6 degrees Fahrenheit average annual temperature and 138 inches of snow.
The descriptive name references the local topographic feature, Horseshoe Hill, which likely earned its designation from early park surveyors or military mapmakers in the late 1800s. USGS geothermal research teams documented the vents during systematic thermal area surveys, measuring water chemistry that provides ongoing data for understanding the park's hydrothermal system evolution.
Obtain current trail conditions at ranger stations before hiking; the trail may cross thermal areas requiring care. The hike gains moderate elevation over uneven terrain. Visit June through September for best trail conditions, though snow patches may linger into July. Carry bear spray and make noise in forested sections. Indian Creek Campground 8.4 kilometers away provides the closest developed camping with Electric Peak views.
Is Gas Vents At Horseshoe Hill worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Gas Vents At Horseshoe Hill is slightly acidic (pH 6.6).
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...