Hot Springs
Hot springs emerge at 7,867 feet elevation within Yellowstone National Park, positioned 1.4 kilometers from the Grand Loop Road. The thermal features are classified as hot in historical records but lack specific temperature measurements. A short walk from the road leads to these springs in Gallatin County's interior park landscape.
The springs sit in Yellowstone's central plateau at 7,867 feet elevation, where lodgepole pine forest dominates the landscape. The area receives 28.9 inches of annual precipitation, including a substantial 147.7 inches of snow, with average temperatures of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The terrain shows gentle topography characteristic of the Yellowstone volcanic plateau, with the thermal features occurring in small clearings within dense forest. Thermal runoff channels support specialized vegetation and bacterial mats, while the surrounding forest provides typical subalpine habitat. The location places these springs within the vast hydrothermal system overlying the ancient Yellowstone caldera.
Historical documentation for these particular springs is limited. The features appear in the 1980 NOAA geothermal survey catalog but lack the detailed study given to major geyser basins. The area became part of the world's first national park in 1872, ensuring permanent protection. Early park visitors and scientists documented thousands of thermal features throughout Yellowstone, though specific naming and historical associations for every spring were not always recorded.
Visit June through September when the Grand Loop Road is reliably open and snow has receded from trails. The short walk from the roadside makes this feature more accessible than backcountry springs, though standard thermal feature precautions apply. Stay on designated paths and maintain safe distances—thermal water causes severe burns. Bring layers appropriate for 7,867-foot elevation where temperatures remain cool even in summer. Tower Fall Campground 31.3 kilometers away offers developed camping with reservations required. Combine with visits to nearby roadside attractions along the Grand Loop Road system. The heavy annual snowfall makes winter access impossible for general visitors.
Is Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Tower Fall Campground—elevation 6,600 feet (2012 m)—is on the north side of the steep, winding, road to Dunraven Pass. The campground is near the Tower General Store and Tower Fall. The Lamar Valley, with spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities, is nearby as are several Day Hikes in the Tower and Northeast Area. Roosevelt Lodge, a short drive from the campground, offers dining and horseback riding. For reservations at the campgrounds managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (F...