Rabbit Creek Group
Rabbit Creek Group emerges at 198 degrees Fahrenheit—161 degrees above the 36-degree ambient—at 7,284 feet elevation in Yellowstone National Park. The springs sit just 215 meters from Grand Loop Road, accessible via a short walk through thermal terrain. The near-boiling temperature and roadside proximity make this one of Yellowstone's most accessible extreme-temperature thermal features.
The springs discharge in classic Yellowstone hydrothermal landscape at moderate elevation, surrounded by siliceous sinter deposits and thermal runoff channels typical of the park's geyser basins. The setting receives 29 inches of annual precipitation with 151 inches of snowfall—among the park's snowier locations. Protection Status 1 ensures permanent preservation in natural state under National Park Service management. The springs lie within Gallatin County's portion of Yellowstone, near the Firehole River drainage where Rabbit Creek enters the larger watershed. Sparse thermal-adapted vegetation clings to areas outside the immediate discharge zone.
The name derives from nearby Rabbit Creek, which drains into the Firehole River in this portion of Yellowstone's Lower Geyser Basin region. Documentation of the springs appears in systematic geothermal surveys preceding the 1980 NOAA publication, though early park visitors and rangers observed the feature as roads developed through the area in the early 20th century. National Park Service maintains the springs in natural state without boardwalks or development, relying on visitor education to prevent dangerous approaches to thermal features.
Visit from May through October when Grand Loop Road is open, with June through September providing optimal conditions. Park entrance fees apply. The 215-meter walk from parking follows thermal terrain where staying on designated paths is mandatory for safety. The 198-degree temperature prohibits any contact and unstable ground poses danger. Big Springs Group Area in Idaho lies 34 kilometers away with reservable camping. Bring layers for variable weather and bear spray. Combine with Lower Geyser Basin and Fountain Paint Pot visits nearby.
Is Rabbit Creek Group worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Casual 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...