Calcite Springs

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.9080°N, 110.3930°W · 6,305 ft
201°F 6,305 ft Open Short Walk National Park Service Camping nearby (1.3 mi)
Dangerously Hot, Not Safe for Soaking

Calcite Springs reaches 201°F, far above safe soaking levels. Contact with this water will cause severe burns. Look for cooled downstream pools or view from a safe distance only.

Calcite Springs is a scalding thermal area in Yellowstone National Park, close to the Northeast Entrance Road. The temperature on file is above boiling. West Yellowstone is the nearest town the record names. Park Service land, open access, with a photo on file.

Location

A walk of about four tenths of a mile from Northeast Entrance Road. A bit above six thousand feet, with heavy snow and a cold average. Tower Fall Campground is close, a little over a mile.

Winter months score best. Boiling-hot water on file; keep your distance. Tower Fall Campground being a mile off makes this an easy base. No fee listed. No chemistry sampled.

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 Calcite Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Calcite Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Calcite Springs
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
305 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
134 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 84% 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
17°
Jan
20°
Feb
29°
Mar
34°
Apr
42°
May
53°
Jun
63°
Jul
62°
Aug
53°
Sep
37°
Oct
24°
Nov
16°
Dec
Annual Precip: 26.5 in Annual Snow: 126.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 16°F · Water 201°F · +185° contrast
January Air 17°F · Water 201°F · +184° contrast
February Air 20°F · Water 201°F · +181° contrast
December offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
NNW 0.0 mph
Today 65° Low 34° Sunny
Spring is +136° warmer
Wednesday 71° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +130° warmer
Thursday 68° Low 40° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 71% precip
Spring is +133° warmer
Friday 61° Low 34° Rain Showers Likely 62% precip
Spring is +140° warmer
Saturday 64° Low 34° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 32% precip
Spring is +137° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Tower Fall Campground 1.3 mi away

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...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,305 ft

Calcite Springs sits at 6,305 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 25% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
201°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 201°F (94°C)
Avg Air Temp 38°F
Above Ambient +164°F
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Northeast Entrance Road
Distance to Road 0.4 mi
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 Calcite Springs?
Calcite Springs has a water temperature of 201°F (94°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Calcite Springs located?
Calcite Springs is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 6,305 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.9080°N, 110.3930°W.
How do I get to Calcite Springs?
Calcite Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Northeast Entrance Road (0.4 mi from the road).
Is Calcite Springs free to visit?
Calcite Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Calcite Springs?
Yes, Tower Fall Campground is located nearby (1.3 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Calcite Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Calcite Springs reaches 201°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: Wikipedia