Gas Vent

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.7410°N, 110.6990°W · 7,460 ft
Hot 38°F air · Good soaking weather 7,460 ft Open Short Walk National Park Service Camping nearby (10.3 mi)

This one is listed on the record as Gas Vent, a thermal point in Yellowstone National Park, Gallatin County, Wyoming, a short walk off the Grand Loop Road. There is no measured temperature, only the label hot. The water sample on file is strongly acidic. West Yellowstone is the nearest town at around three miles by the record. National Park Service land, open to the public.

Location

The Grand Loop Road passes about a tenth of a mile away, which makes the vent a short walk in. Elevation is close to 7,450 feet. Cold, snowy climate on file, around a hundred and thirty-seven inches in a year. Park Service ground inside Yellowstone. Nothing on record describes the ground around it.

No season is recommended on the record, and the snow total means winter is a serious matter. Short walk, public access. Indian Creek Campground, around ten miles away, is the closest camp on record. A 2006 sample showed very acidic water and nobody has measured the temperature, so keep away from it and check current park guidance for this stretch of road.

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 Gas Vent.

Aerial view of the ground around Gas Vent LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Gas Vent
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
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
94 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
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
15°
Jan
17°
Feb
25°
Mar
30°
Apr
39°
May
50°
Jun
61°
Jul
60°
Aug
50°
Sep
34°
Oct
22°
Nov
13°
Dec
Annual Precip: 27.4 in Annual Snow: 136.7 in
Current Conditions
38°F
S 24.9 mph 62% Good soaking weather
Today 61° Low 31° Sunny
Wednesday 68° Low 37° Sunny
Thursday 64° Low 37° Showers And Thunderstorms 76% precip
Friday 57° Low 32° Rain Showers Likely 62% precip
Saturday 60° Low 31° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 28% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 2006-09-12

The water at Gas Vent is acidic (pH 3.0). It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits), and iron (iron-rich springs may support circulation).

pH 3.0 Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 5 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 189 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 293 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 286 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 8860 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Indian Creek Campground (Wy) 10.3 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 7,460 ft

Gas Vent sits at 7,460 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 30% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
Hot
Warm Hot Boiling
Avg Air Temp 35°F
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Grand Loop Road
Distance to Road 0.1 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 Gas Vent?
Gas Vent is classified as hot. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.
Where is Gas Vent located?
Gas Vent is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,460 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.7410°N, 110.6990°W.
How do I get to Gas Vent?
Gas Vent has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Grand Loop Road (0.1 mi from the road).
Is Gas Vent free to visit?
Gas Vent has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Gas Vent?
Yes, Indian Creek Campground (Wy) is located nearby (10.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Gas Vent?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 3.0 (acidic).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia