Hot, On Lamar River

Park County, Wyoming · Near Livingston
44.8410°N, 110.1670°W · 6,777 ft
Warm 6,777 ft Open Hike National Park Service Camping nearby (10.1 mi)

The record names this one Hot, On Lamar River, a USGS-style label for a thermal point on the Lamar River in Yellowstone National Park, reached off the Northeast Entrance Road. No temperature is on file, only a note that the water is warm, so there is no soaking claim to make. It is a hike of nearly two miles from the road, inside the park, and access is listed as open.

Location

Park Service land at around 6,800 feet. The walk in starts from the Northeast Entrance Road and runs about two miles, by the record's measure. Winter snow here is deep, ten feet and then some. Slough Creek Campground is the nearest camping on record, ten miles away.

No best season is listed, and neither temperature nor chemistry is on record. What the record does say is that it is open and a hike in. Plan for summer given the snow, and treat the water as unknown: test it before assuming it is warm enough, or cool enough, for anything. Yellowstone's rules apply.

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 Hot, On Lamar River.

Aerial view of the ground around Hot, On Lamar River LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hot, On Lamar River
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
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the east.
Highest ground nearby
160 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
119 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 71% 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
18°
Jan
20°
Feb
28°
Mar
33°
Apr
41°
May
52°
Jun
63°
Jul
61°
Aug
52°
Sep
36°
Oct
25°
Nov
16°
Dec
Annual Precip: 26.7 in Annual Snow: 130.6 in
Current Conditions
NNW 0.0 mph
Today 64° Low 37° Sunny
Wednesday 69° Low 41° Sunny 3% precip
Thursday 67° Low 43° Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms 75% precip
Friday 60° Low 37° Rain Showers Likely 64% precip
Saturday 63° Low 36° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 34% precip
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Slough Creek Campground 10.1 mi away

Overview Slough Creek is near some of the best wildlife watching opportunities in the park. The campground is at the end of a two mile dirt road, and best suited for tents and small RVs. There are plenty of hiking and fishing opportunities in the area, including the Slough Creek Trail which begins nearby. Nighttime offers a quiet, unimpeded view of the stars and the possibility of hearing wolves howl. Elevation: 6,250 ft (1905 m). Recreation There are many opportunities for recreation in the...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,777 ft

Hot, On Lamar River sits at 6,777 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 27% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
Warm
Warm Hot Boiling
Avg Air Temp 37°F
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road Northeast Entrance Road
Distance to Road 1.9 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 Hot, On Lamar River?
Hot, On Lamar River is classified as warm. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.
Where is Hot, On Lamar River located?
Hot, On Lamar River is located in Park County, Wyoming at 6,777 feet elevation, near Livingston. Coordinates: 44.8410°N, 110.1670°W.
How do I get to Hot, On Lamar River?
Hot, On Lamar River has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Northeast Entrance Road (1.9 mi from the road).
Is Hot, On Lamar River free to visit?
Hot, On Lamar River has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Hot, On Lamar River?
Yes, Slough Creek Campground is located nearby (10.1 miles away).