Rainbow Springs
Rainbow Springs discharges at 190 degrees Fahrenheit—157 degrees above the frigid 32-degree ambient—in Yellowstone's remote backcountry at 8,115 feet elevation. The springs lie over 12 kilometers from Northeast Entrance Road, requiring extensive wilderness navigation in permanently protected terrain under National Park Service management. The extreme elevation and distance make this one of Yellowstone's most isolated thermal features.
The springs emerge at high elevation in Yellowstone's northeastern wilderness, surrounded by subalpine forest and meadows more than 12 kilometers from the nearest road. The setting receives 27 inches of annual precipitation with 135 inches of snowfall, creating conditions where snow persists into July. Protection Status 1 ensures permanent preservation in natural state with minimal human impact. The landscape consists of lodgepole pine forest transitioning to whitebark pine at higher elevations, with the springs sitting in drainage headwaters feeding the Yellowstone River system through Gallatin County terrain.
Historical documentation of Rainbow Springs remains limited beyond inclusion in systematic geothermal inventories preceding the 1980 NOAA publication. The name likely references thermophilic organisms or mineral deposits creating colorful patterns around the discharge zone. Indigenous peoples traveling through these high valleys during seasonal migrations may have known of the springs, though no specific cultural history has been documented. The extreme remoteness has precluded any development, leaving the springs in pristine wilderness state.
Access requires backcountry camping permit and advanced wilderness navigation skills. Visit only from mid-July through early September when high-elevation snowpack melts sufficiently. Expect 12-plus kilometer approach with significant elevation gain and off-trail travel through challenging terrain. Tower Fall Campground lies 16 kilometers away with reservations required. Bring bear spray, wilderness first aid kit, water filtration, and cold-weather layers for unpredictable mountain conditions. The 190-degree temperature prohibits soaking and NPS regulations forbid thermal bathing.
Is Rainbow Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Backpacking adventures
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
- Day trips with young children
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...