Beryl Spring

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.6790°N, 110.7460°W · 7,320 ft
198°F 24°F air · Good soaking weather 7,320 ft Open Roadside National Park Service Camping nearby (14.4 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 198°F, the source water at Beryl Spring is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Beryl Spring is a large superheated pool in the Gibbon Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, one of the hottest springs in the park. The water boils up to about four feet. West Yellowstone is the nearest town listed. Park Service land, open access, roadside. Mildly acidic water sampled in 2007.

Location

Grand Loop Road runs within about eighty feet, so this is a roadside stop. High elevation, deep winter snow, cold annual average. Indian Creek Campground is about fourteen miles away.

December through February score best. Boiling water and a superheated pool mean no approach beyond what the park allows. No fee is listed. The USGS sample on file is from October 2007.

History of Beryl Spring

The U.S. Geological Survey Hague party named it in 1883 for its blue-green color, which reminded a member of the party of the gemstone beryl. Wikipedia lists its average temperature at 196°F and counts it among the hottest springs in Yellowstone.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Beryl Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Beryl Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Beryl Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
584 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
128 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 79% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
15°
Jan
17°
Feb
25°
Mar
31°
Apr
39°
May
51°
Jun
61°
Jul
60°
Aug
50°
Sep
34°
Oct
22°
Nov
13°
Dec
Annual Precip: 25.9 in Annual Snow: 123.1 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 13°F · Water 198°F · +185° contrast
January Air 15°F · Water 198°F · +183° contrast
February Air 17°F · Water 198°F · +181° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
24°F
ESE 0.0 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Today 60° Low 32° Sunny
Spring is +138° warmer
Wednesday 66° Low 38° Sunny
Spring is +132° warmer
Thursday 64° Low 38° Showers And Thunderstorms 78% precip
Spring is +134° warmer
Friday 56° Low 32° Rain Showers Likely 61% precip
Spring is +142° warmer
Saturday 58° Low 31° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 25% precip
Spring is +140° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2007-10-15

The water at Beryl Spring is slightly acidic (pH 6.7). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 6.7 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 4 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 407 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 69 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 562 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Indian Creek Campground (Wy) 14.4 mi away

Overview Located about eight miles (13 km) south of Mammoth Hot Springs on the road to Norris, Indian Creek Campground—elevation 7,300 feet (2225 m)—sits near the base of the Gallatin Mountains and offers breathtaking views of Electric Peak. The area offers easy access to fishing and hiking. The campground is away from the main road and provides a quieter, more primitive, experience than many other locations.  For reservations at the campgrounds managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Fi...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 7,320 ft

Beryl Spring sits at 7,320 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 29% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
198°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 198°F (92°C)
Avg Air Temp 35°F
Above Ambient +163°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Grand Loop Road
Distance to Road 82 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency National Park Service
Designation National Park
Unit Yellowstone National Park
Manager National Park Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Beryl Spring?
Beryl Spring has a water temperature of 198°F (92°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Beryl Spring located?
Beryl Spring is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,320 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.6790°N, 110.7460°W.
How do I get to Beryl Spring?
Beryl Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Grand Loop Road (82 ft from the road).
Is Beryl Spring free to visit?
Beryl Spring has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Beryl Spring?
Yes, Indian Creek Campground (Wy) is located nearby (14.4 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Beryl Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 6.7 (slightly acidic).
Is it safe to soak at Beryl Spring?
No, not at the source. The water at Beryl Spring reaches 198°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.