Hot Springs East Of Mary Lake
Hot Springs East of Mary Lake emerges at 8,210 feet elevation in Yellowstone's backcountry, located 6.7 miles from Norris-Canyon Road. Classified as hot without specific temperature data, the thermal feature occupies high-elevation terrain in Gallatin County. The National Park Service provides permanent protection for this remote wilderness spring.
The spring sits at 8,210 feet elevation in subalpine environment where severe conditions dominate the landscape. Annual snowfall reaches 145 inches, while average temperatures measure just 33.1°F. The area receives 29 inches of annual precipitation, supporting high-elevation forests and meadows interspersed with thermal features. Mary Lake lies to the west, while the spring occupies backcountry terrain requiring extensive off-trail travel from Norris-Canyon Road.
Documentation provides minimal historical information about this spring beyond its geographical relationship to Mary Lake. The directional name suggests systematic survey identification rather than Indigenous or settler naming traditions. Its backcountry location far from developed areas indicates it remained largely unknown until comprehensive park thermal inventories were conducted.
Access requires multi-day backcountry permits and expert wilderness navigation skills. Late summer offers the only practical access window before heavy snow closes the high country. Indian Creek Campground, 32.5 km away near Mammoth Hot Springs, provides the nearest reservable camping. Complete self-sufficiency, cold-weather gear, and bear-safety equipment are essential.
Is Hot Springs East Of Mary Lake worth visiting?
Best for
- Backpacking adventures
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Day trips with young children
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...