Gibbon Hill Geyser

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.6970°N, 110.7240°W · 7,570 ft
199°F 24°F air · Good soaking weather 7,570 ft Open Short Walk National Park Service Camping nearby (13.2 mi)
Geyser: Not a Soaking Spring

Gibbon Hill Geyser is a geyser, not a traditional hot spring. These geothermal features can be extremely dangerous. Boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground are common hazards. Do not attempt to soak.

Gibbon Hill Geyser scalds. It sits in Gallatin County, Wyoming, inside Yellowstone National Park, under a mile of walking off the road. Near boiling by the record, and a 2006 sample came back acidic. West Yellowstone, the closest town, sits a bit over a mile away. No photo has been filed. The ground is Park Service land and anyone can visit.

Location

Under a mile on foot, about eight tenths, and the record does not name the road. Elevation is close to 7,570 feet. Cold climate on file, with a hundred and twenty-three inches of snow in a year and an average temperature in the mid thirties. National Park Service land inside Yellowstone.

December through February get the best rating, and that is also when snow lies deepest, so the park's open list settles the question. Short walk in, public access. Indian Creek Campground, about thirteen miles off, is where you would camp. The water is scalding. Keep well back from the vent and from whatever it throws out.

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 Gibbon Hill Geyser.

Aerial view of the ground around Gibbon Hill Geyser LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Gibbon Hill Geyser
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 northeast.
Highest ground nearby
341 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
132 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 82% 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
14°
Jan
17°
Feb
25°
Mar
31°
Apr
38°
May
50°
Jun
61°
Jul
60°
Aug
50°
Sep
34°
Oct
21°
Nov
13°
Dec
Annual Precip: 25.9 in Annual Snow: 123.1 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 13°F · Water 199°F · +186° contrast
January Air 14°F · Water 199°F · +185° contrast
February Air 17°F · Water 199°F · +182° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
24°F
ESE 0.0 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Today 62° Low 33° Sunny
Spring is +137° warmer
Wednesday 69° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +130° warmer
Thursday 66° Low 39° Showers And Thunderstorms 77% precip
Spring is +133° warmer
Friday 58° Low 33° Rain Showers Likely 61% precip
Spring is +141° warmer
Saturday 61° Low 32° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 26% precip
Spring is +138° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2006-07-23

The water at Gibbon Hill Geyser is slightly acidic (pH 5.6).

pH 5.6 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 9 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 69 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 9 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 16 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Indian Creek Campground (Wy) 13.2 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 7,570 ft

Gibbon Hill Geyser sits at 7,570 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
199°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 199°F (93°C)
Avg Air Temp 35°F
Above Ambient +164°F
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.8 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 Gibbon Hill Geyser?
Gibbon Hill Geyser has a water temperature of 199°F (93°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Gibbon Hill Geyser located?
Gibbon Hill Geyser is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,570 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.6970°N, 110.7240°W.
How do I get to Gibbon Hill Geyser?
Gibbon Hill Geyser has Short Walk road access (0.8 mi from the road).
Is Gibbon Hill Geyser free to visit?
Gibbon Hill Geyser has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Gibbon Hill Geyser?
Yes, Indian Creek Campground (Wy) is located nearby (13.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Gibbon Hill Geyser?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 5.6 (slightly acidic).
Is it safe to soak at Gibbon Hill Geyser?
No, not at the source. The water at Gibbon Hill Geyser reaches 199°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: USGS NWIS