Wind River Canyon Spring
Wind River Canyon Spring emerges at 72°F along Wind River Canyon in Hot Springs County, flowing 23 degrees above ambient temperature at 4,380 feet elevation. Located essentially roadside at just 37 meters from South Yellowstone Road, the spring offers easy access through the scenic canyon carved by the Wind River. Recent USGS analysis documents moderately mineralized water with 812 mg/L total dissolved solids and 276 mg/L sulfate at pH 8.0.
The spring flows at 4,380 feet elevation within Wind River Canyon, a dramatic gorge where the Wind River cuts through the Owl Creek Mountains. The canyon walls expose ancient Precambrian through Paleozoic rock formations in spectacular vertical succession. Average annual temperatures reach 49°F with only 12 inches of precipitation and 32 inches of snow, reflecting Wyoming's semiarid climate. Sagebrush and juniper vegetation dominates the canyon slopes, with riparian growth along the river corridor. South Yellowstone Road follows the canyon floor, providing access to this geologically striking landscape.
Wind River Canyon has been a transportation corridor for millennia, used by indigenous peoples and later by Euro-American explorers and settlers. The canyon's geology reveals rock formations spanning over two billion years, making it a significant geological landmark. Thermal springs along the canyon reflect deep circulation of groundwater through fractured bedrock in this tectonically active region. The spring's water chemistry suggests contact with Paleozoic carbonate and evaporite formations, contributing calcium, sulfate, and moderate mineralization.
Visit year-round as the canyon road remains open through winter, though spring runoff creates dramatic river flows. The roadside location requires no hiking. The water temperature of 72°F is tepid rather than hot, suitable for testing but not bathing. Thermopolis lies 50 kilometers south with numerous developed hot springs facilities. Wind River Canyon offers exceptional geology viewing with interpretive signs marking different rock formations. Combine with visits to nearby Hot Springs State Park for comparison of thermal features.
Is Wind River Canyon Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
The water at Wind River Canyon Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0) with 812 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).