Hot Spring Basin Group

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.7390°N, 110.2580°W · 8,416 ft
153°F 8,416 ft Open Backcountry National Park Service Camping nearby (12.2 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 153°F, the source water at Hot Spring Basin Group 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.

Aerial view of the ground around Hot Spring Basin Group LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hot Spring Basin Group
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.

Hot Spring Basin Group turns up twice in the record, and this is the second one, backcountry like the first, sitting nine and a half miles or so off the Northeast Entrance Road in Yellowstone, Gallatin County, Wyoming. Scalding water. The closest town to it is West Yellowstone at roughly twenty-four miles. Park Service ground, open to whoever makes the walk.

Location

Backcountry, close to nine and a half miles from the Northeast Entrance Road, with no route on file. The elevation is a little over 8,400 feet. Cold climate on record, with around a hundred and thirty-six inches of snow a year and an average temperature at the freezing mark. National Park Service land, Yellowstone.

December through February are the record's best months, and at this distance from a road in that much snow, you should ask the park what that means in practice. Tower Fall Campground, about twelve miles out, is where camping is listed. The water is scalding. Do not approach it as a soak.

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 Spring Basin Group.

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

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
118 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 70% 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
13°
Jan
15°
Feb
23°
Mar
28°
Apr
36°
May
46°
Jun
57°
Jul
56°
Aug
47°
Sep
32°
Oct
21°
Nov
12°
Dec
Annual Precip: 27.4 in Annual Snow: 135.7 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 12°F · Water 153°F · +141° contrast
January Air 13°F · Water 153°F · +140° contrast
February Air 15°F · Water 153°F · +138° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
NNW 0.0 mph
Today 58° Low 30° Sunny
Spring is +95° warmer
Wednesday 63° Low 34° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +90° warmer
Thursday 62° Low 36° Showers And Thunderstorms 77% precip
Spring is +91° warmer
Friday 54° Low 30° Rain Showers Likely 63% precip
Spring is +99° warmer
Saturday 57° Low 29° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 32% precip
Spring is +96° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Tower Fall Campground 12.2 mi away

Overview Tower Fall Campground—elevation 6,600 feet (2012 m)—is on the north side of the steep, winding, road to Dunraven Pass. The campground is near the Tower General Store and Tower Fall. The Lamar Valley, with spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities, is nearby as are several Day Hikes in the Tower and Northeast Area. Roosevelt Lodge, a short drive from the campground, offers dining and horseback riding. For reservations at the campgrounds managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (F...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
High Altitude Advisory 8,416 ft

At 8,416 feet, Hot Spring Basin Group 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
153°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 153°F (67°C)
Avg Air Temp 32°F
Above Ambient +121°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Backcountry
Nearest Road Northeast Entrance Road
Distance to Road 9.5 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 Spring Basin Group?
Hot Spring Basin Group has a water temperature of 153°F (67°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Spring Basin Group located?
Hot Spring Basin Group is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 8,416 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.7390°N, 110.2580°W.
How do I get to Hot Spring Basin Group?
Hot Spring Basin Group has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Northeast Entrance Road (9.5 mi from the road).
Is Hot Spring Basin Group free to visit?
Hot Spring Basin Group has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Hot Spring Basin Group?
Yes, Tower Fall Campground is located nearby (12.2 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Hot Spring Basin Group?
No, not at the source. The water at Hot Spring Basin Group reaches 153°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.