Five Sisters Springs

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.5320°N, 110.7960°W · 7,340 ft
192°F 25°F air · Good soaking weather 7,340 ft Open Short Walk National Park Service Camping nearby (22.7 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 192°F, the source water at Five Sisters Springs 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.

Five Sisters Springs is a group of scalding springs off Firehole Lake Drive in Yellowstone National Park. County is Gallatin, state is Wyoming, and the town on file is West Yellowstone, under thirteen miles away. The measured temperature is well above anything a body tolerates. You come here to look. National Park Service land, open to anyone.

Location

Firehole Lake Drive gets you within a third of a mile, and the rest is a short walk. The springs sit at about 7,300 feet, so the air is thin. The climate record shows a hundred and forty inches of snow in a year and a cold average. The land is Yellowstone, managed by the National Park Service.

The record's best months run December through February, the heart of the snow season, so whatever plan you make should start with the park's current road and trail status. Short walk from the road, public access. Camping on file is the Big Springs group area, out at Island Park, a bit over twenty miles. Scalding water. Keep back and keep kids and pets out of reach of it.

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 Five Sisters Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Five Sisters Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Five Sisters 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
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southwest.
Highest ground nearby
247 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
136 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 86% 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
16°
Jan
18°
Feb
26°
Mar
31°
Apr
39°
May
51°
Jun
62°
Jul
61°
Aug
51°
Sep
35°
Oct
23°
Nov
14°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.2 in Annual Snow: 140.9 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 14°F · Water 192°F · +178° contrast
January Air 16°F · Water 192°F · +176° contrast
February Air 18°F · Water 192°F · +174° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
25°F
ESE 5.1 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Today 61° Low 32° Sunny
Spring is +131° warmer
Wednesday 68° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +124° warmer
Thursday 64° Low 38° Showers And Thunderstorms 82% precip
Spring is +128° warmer
Friday 57° Low 32° Rain Showers Likely 61% precip
Spring is +135° warmer
Saturday 60° Low 31° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 20% precip
Spring is +132° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Big Springs Grp. Area Island Park 22.7 mi away

Overview Big Springs Group Area is located 22 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana in beautiful Island Park, Idaho at an approximate elevation of 6,300 feet. Visitors love Island Park for its world-class fishing and outstanding scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.Recreation Big Springs is the headwaters of Henry's Fork and is one of the largest springs in the country. Henry's Fork is considered one of the best fly-fishing streams in the nation. Fishermen cast for rainbow and brook...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 7,340 ft

Five Sisters Springs sits at 7,340 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
192°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 192°F (89°C)
Avg Air Temp 36°F
Above Ambient +156°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Firehole Lake Drive
Distance to Road 0.3 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 Five Sisters Springs?
Five Sisters Springs has a water temperature of 192°F (89°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Five Sisters Springs located?
Five Sisters Springs is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,340 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.5320°N, 110.7960°W.
How do I get to Five Sisters Springs?
Five Sisters Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Firehole Lake Drive (0.3 mi from the road).
Is Five Sisters Springs free to visit?
Five Sisters Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Five Sisters Springs?
Yes, Big Springs Grp. Area Island Park is located nearby (22.7 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Five Sisters Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Five Sisters Springs reaches 192°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.