Hot Springs In Pelican Valley

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.5980°N, 110.2360°W · 7,900 ft
156°F 26°F air · Good soaking weather 7,900 ft Open Hike National Park Service Camping nearby (15.7 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 156°F, the source water at Hot Springs In Pelican Valley 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 Springs In Pelican Valley LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hot Springs In Pelican Valley
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.

Pelican Valley lies in the eastern reaches of Yellowstone National Park, and the hot springs here are scalding, well above any temperature a person could tolerate. This is Gallatin County, on Park Service ground. The public gets in. West Yellowstone, the town on file, is about twenty-six miles away. There is no soaking to be had; it is a thermal area reached by trail.

Location

Hike in four and a half miles from the East Entrance Road, the closest road on record. Elevation falls a little short of eight thousand feet. Snow is heavy, thirteen feet in a typical year, and the year's mean is a few degrees above freezing. Precipitation is moderate. The land carries national park designation.

December through February come up as best months on the climate record, which in Pelican Valley means deep snow and winter travel, so learn what the park allows before planning around that. Threemile Campground, sixteen-odd miles away, is the camping on file. The water will scald on contact. Keep to firm ground. The record shows open access with no charge.

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 Springs In Pelican Valley.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the north.
Highest ground nearby
128 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
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
81 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 18% 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
15°
Jan
17°
Feb
25°
Mar
29°
Apr
38°
May
48°
Jun
59°
Jul
58°
Aug
50°
Sep
35°
Oct
24°
Nov
15°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.4 in Annual Snow: 155.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 15°F · Water 156°F · +142° contrast
January Air 15°F · Water 156°F · +141° contrast
February Air 17°F · Water 156°F · +139° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
26°F
N 0.0 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Today 61° Low 29° Sunny
Spring is +95° warmer
Wednesday 67° Low 33° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +89° warmer
Thursday 64° Low 35° Showers And Thunderstorms 79% precip
Spring is +92° warmer
Friday 57° Low 29° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 63% precip
Spring is +99° warmer
Saturday 59° Low 28° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 32% precip
Spring is +97° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Threemile Campground 15.7 mi away

Overview Threemile Campground is located just three miles from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park, and 50 miles from the full service gateway community of Cody, in northwestern Wyoming. The area is an ideal destination for a family getaway, with many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Hard-sided camp trailers and RVs are required.Recreation Great opportunities for hiking, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing are available around the campground. The North Fork of the Sho...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 7,900 ft

Hot Springs In Pelican Valley sits at 7,900 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 32% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
156°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 156°F (69°C)
Avg Air Temp 34°F
Above Ambient +122°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road East Entrance Road
Distance to Road 4.5 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 Springs In Pelican Valley?
Hot Springs In Pelican Valley has a water temperature of 156°F (69°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Springs In Pelican Valley located?
Hot Springs In Pelican Valley is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,900 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.5980°N, 110.2360°W.
How do I get to Hot Springs In Pelican Valley?
Hot Springs In Pelican Valley has Hike road access, with the nearest road being East Entrance Road (4.5 mi from the road).
Is Hot Springs In Pelican Valley free to visit?
Hot Springs In Pelican Valley has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Hot Springs In Pelican Valley?
Yes, Threemile Campground is located nearby (15.7 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Hot Springs In Pelican Valley?
No, not at the source. The water at Hot Springs In Pelican Valley reaches 156°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.