Hot Spring On Moss Creek

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.7230°N, 110.3580°W · 8,495 ft
115°F 8,495 ft Open Backcountry National Park Service Camping nearby (11.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Hot Spring On Moss Creek LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hot Spring On Moss Creek
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 On Moss Creek waits about five and a half miles off Inspiration Point Road, backcountry, inside Yellowstone National Park in Gallatin County, Wyoming. The heat on record pushes the upper limit of what skin will take. Nearest town going by the record is West Yellowstone, around nineteen miles. Park Service country with open access. No photo was ever filed.

Location

Inspiration Point Road lies five and a half miles back, and the backcountry between it and the spring goes undescribed. Elevation sits near 8,500 feet. Expect cold: an annual mean around freezing and snowfall in the neighborhood of a hundred and forty-three inches. Deep in Yellowstone, on National Park Service ground.

The record lists December through February as best, which at this elevation and snow total is worth confirming with the park before you believe it. Tower Fall Campground is the closest camping on file, a little under twelve miles. The water is hot, above comfortable soaking, so do not get in on the strength of the number alone. The wider setting is backcountry, and the park'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 Spring On Moss Creek.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the east.
Highest ground nearby
88 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from north to south, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
128 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
13°
Jan
14°
Feb
22°
Mar
27°
Apr
35°
May
46°
Jun
57°
Jul
56°
Aug
47°
Sep
32°
Oct
20°
Nov
11°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.2 in Annual Snow: 143.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 11°F · Water 115°F · +104° contrast
January Air 13°F · Water 115°F · +102° contrast
February Air 14°F · Water 115°F · +101° contrast
December offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
NNW 0.0 mph
Tuesday 57° Low 30° Sunny
Spring is +58° warmer
Wednesday 63° Low 35° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +52° warmer
Thursday 61° Low 39° Showers And Thunderstorms 76% precip
Spring is +54° warmer
Friday 54° Low 40° Rain Showers Likely 62% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Saturday 57° Low 35° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 31% precip
Spring is +58° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Tower Fall Campground 11.6 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 8,495 ft

At 8,495 feet, Hot Spring On Moss Creek 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
115°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 115°F (46°C)
Avg Air Temp 32°F
Above Ambient +83°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Backcountry
Nearest Road Inspiration Point Road
Distance to Road 5.5 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 On Moss Creek?
Hot Spring On Moss Creek has a water temperature of 115°F (46°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Spring On Moss Creek located?
Hot Spring On Moss Creek is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 8,495 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.7230°N, 110.3580°W.
How do I get to Hot Spring On Moss Creek?
Hot Spring On Moss Creek has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Inspiration Point Road (5.5 mi from the road).
Is Hot Spring On Moss Creek free to visit?
Hot Spring On Moss Creek has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Hot Spring On Moss Creek?
Yes, Tower Fall Campground is located nearby (11.6 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Hot Spring On Moss Creek?
With care. At 115°F Hot Spring On Moss Creek is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: Wikipedia