Unnamed Thermal Spring
This unnamed thermal feature flows at 95°F in Yellowstone's remote eastern backcountry at 7,895 feet elevation, located over 5.8 miles from East Entrance Road. The spring delivers water 61 degrees above ambient temperature in terrain where average annual temperatures reach 34°F with severe winters dumping 156 inches of snow. The backcountry designation indicates this spring sits in Yellowstone's wildest terrain, far from any developed trails or visitor facilities.
The spring emerges at 7,895 feet elevation in Yellowstone's eastern wilderness, requiring extensive off-trail travel exceeding nine kilometers to reach. The surrounding landscape features lodgepole pine forests transitioning to Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir at higher elevations, with the Absaroka Range rising dramatically to the east. The area receives 28 inches of annual precipitation with the highest snowfall totals in this dataset, reflecting the eastern mountains' orographic effect. The extreme remoteness places this spring among Yellowstone's least accessible thermal features.
This thermal feature lacks a documented name, indicating it was likely cataloged during systematic USGS thermal surveys but never formally named due to its extreme remoteness. Yellowstone contains thousands of thermal features, with many backcountry springs remaining unnamed in official records. The eastern backcountry saw limited historical use compared to areas along the Grand Loop Road, remaining truly wild even after park establishment in 1872. Modern backcountry management maintains this area in primitive condition.
This spring should be considered inaccessible to most visitors. The 9.3-kilometer distance from roads requires expert backcountry skills, topographic map navigation, and multi-day commitment. Visit only during July-August when snowpack has melted. Mandatory backcountry permits through Yellowstone require specific itineraries. Threemile Campground outside the park's east entrance offers reservable sites with hard-sided vehicle requirements due to grizzly bear activity. This spring is for experienced wilderness travelers only; most visitors will never see truly remote Yellowstone thermal features like this one.
Is this spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Backpacking adventures
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Day trips with young children
Overview Threemile Campground is located just three miles from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park, and 50 miles from the full service gateway community of Cody, in northwestern Wyoming. The area is an ideal destination for a family getaway, with many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Hard-sided camp trailers and RVs are required.Recreation Great opportunities for hiking, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing are available around the campground. The North Fork of the Sho...