Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.5950°N, 110.6220°W · 8,500 ft
Hot 26°F air · Good soaking weather 8,500 ft Open Backcountry National Park Service Camping nearby (20.9 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake
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.

Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake is a backcountry thermal point in Yellowstone National Park, Gallatin County, Wyoming, more than seven miles from the Grand Loop Road. The record says hot and gives no number. There is no water sample and no photo. West Yellowstone is the nearest town on file, roughly ten miles. The land is National Park Service and access is open, but getting there is a long walk into the park.

Location

Around seven and a half miles from the Grand Loop Road, with no route described on the record. Elevation is about 8,500 feet, well up into the park's high ground. Snow on file runs close to a hundred and forty-five inches a year and the average temperature sits right around freezing. National Park Service land in the Yellowstone backcountry.

The record gives no best months. At this elevation and snow total, the timing is set by snow and by the park's backcountry rules. Indian Creek Campground is listed as the nearest camping, twenty-one miles or so away. Temperature is not measured, so keep a distance and do not plan a soak around 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 Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
22 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Seen From Space

Landsat's thermal camera passed over on a clear winter day, February 21, 2020. This spring's heat shows up from about 440 miles up. The brightest yellow marks the warmest ground, roughly 19°F warmer than the land around it.

Aerial view of the ground around Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake Landsat thermal view of the same ground around Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake
Aerial Thermal

Drag to compare. The view is about 2½ miles across, and each thermal pixel covers roughly 300 feet of ground, so individual pools blur into one warm patch.

Thermal: Landsat 8/9 surface temperature, USGS (public domain), via Microsoft Planetary Computer. Aerial: USGS The National Map. More springs seen from space.

Heat Below
127 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 78% 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
12°
Jan
14°
Feb
22°
Mar
27°
Apr
35°
May
47°
Jun
57°
Jul
56°
Aug
47°
Sep
31°
Oct
19°
Nov
10°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.7 in Annual Snow: 145.2 in
Current Conditions
26°F
N 0.0 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Today 59° Low 32° Sunny
Wednesday 65° Low 38° Sunny
Thursday 62° Low 37° Showers And Thunderstorms 80% precip
Friday 54° Low 32° Rain Showers Likely 61% precip
Saturday 57° Low 31° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 27% precip
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Indian Creek Campground (Wy) 20.9 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 →
High Altitude Advisory 8,500 ft

At 8,500 feet, Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake is in high-altitude territory where the air is noticeably thinner. Soaking in hot water accelerates dehydration and can amplify altitude effects like headache and fatigue. UV radiation is roughly 34% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.

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Temperature
Hot
Warm Hot Boiling
Avg Air Temp 32°F
Access
Open
Road Access Backcountry
Nearest Road Grand Loop Road
Distance to Road 7.4 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 Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake?
Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake is classified as hot. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.
Where is Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake located?
Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 8,500 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.5950°N, 110.6220°W.
How do I get to Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake?
Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Grand Loop Road (7.4 mi from the road).
Is Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake free to visit?
Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Gas Vents Southeast Of Mary Lake?
Yes, Indian Creek Campground (Wy) is located nearby (20.9 miles away).