Unnamed Thermal Spring
This unnamed thermal feature emerges at 167°F in Yellowstone National Park at 7,805 feet elevation, creating very hot discharge 702 meters from South Rim Drive. The spring runs 133 degrees above the 34°F ambient temperature in one of the park's highest-elevation thermal zones, accessible via backcountry trail under National Park Service protection.
The spring sits at 7,805 feet in elevated terrain between Norris Geyser Basin and Canyon areas, surrounded by subalpine lodgepole pine forest and open thermal ground. The location offers views across Yellowstone's volcanic plateau, with the terrain consisting of gently rolling topography shaped by Pleistocene glaciation and recent volcanic activity. Annual snowfall averages 135 inches, with persistent snowpack from October through May. South Rim Drive provides motorized access to the general area, though the spring requires a half-mile walk from the nearest parking area through terrain that transitions between forest and open thermal zones.
The spring remains unnamed in the 1980 NOAA geothermal inventory, documented during systematic surveys that mapped Yellowstone's dispersed thermal features beyond major basin concentrations. The area has been federally protected since 1872 under National Park Service management, with no development history beyond road construction. The high elevation and remote position limited early homesteader interest, keeping the spring in pristine condition throughout modern history.
Visit between late June and September when South Rim Drive is open and trails are snow-free. The 7,805-foot elevation means sudden weather changes, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Carry layers and rain gear. The 700-meter distance requires moderate fitness and sturdy footwear for uneven thermal terrain. Water temperature causes severe burns; maintain safe distances. Tower Fall Campground, 21 kilometers away, provides the nearest developed camping with reservations required during peak season.
Is this spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
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...