Hot Springs On Bog Creek

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.6900°N, 110.3840°W · 8,271 ft
199°F 26°F air · Good soaking weather 8,271 ft Open Hike National Park Service Camping nearby (13.8 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 199°F, the source water at Hot Springs On Bog Creek 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 On Bog Creek LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hot Springs On Bog 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.

Bog Creek runs through the Yellowstone backcountry in Gallatin County, and the springs on it come out close to boiling. Park land, access open. A long hike from the road. The town listed nearest is West Yellowstone, about eighteen miles away. Nothing about this is a soak; it is a remote thermal spot for people who want to see one.

Location

The hike in begins at the Grand Loop Road. Count on a bit over four miles. Elevation is above eighty-two hundred feet. The climate on file runs to a yearly average at freezing and about eleven feet of snow; precipitation moderate. National park backcountry with no facilities listed.

December to February is what the calendar favors, and that puts you in the Yellowstone high country in winter, so park access rules are the first phone call. Tower Fall Campground, about fourteen miles away, is the camping listed. The water is hot enough to cause serious burns, so stay back and keep to firm ground. Public access. No fee recorded.

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 On Bog Creek.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
227 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.

Seen From Space

Landsat's thermal camera passed over on a clear winter day, February 21, 2020. This spring's heat shows up from about 440 miles up. The brightest yellow marks the warmest ground, roughly 24°F warmer than the land around it.

Aerial view of the ground around Hot Springs On Bog Creek Landsat thermal view of the same ground around Hot Springs On Bog Creek
Aerial Thermal

Drag to compare. The view is about 2½ miles across, and each thermal pixel covers roughly 300 feet of ground, so individual pools blur into one warm patch.

Thermal: Landsat 8/9 surface temperature, USGS (public domain), via Microsoft Planetary Computer. Aerial: USGS The National Map. More springs seen from space.

Heat Below
133 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 83% 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
48°
Sep
32°
Oct
21°
Nov
12°
Dec
Annual Precip: 26.8 in Annual Snow: 133.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 12°F · Water 199°F · +187° contrast
January Air 13°F · Water 199°F · +186° contrast
February Air 15°F · Water 199°F · +184° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
26°F
N 0.0 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Today 58° Low 33° Sunny
Spring is +141° warmer
Wednesday 64° Low 37° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +135° warmer
Thursday 62° Low 38° Showers And Thunderstorms 77% precip
Spring is +137° warmer
Friday 54° Low 32° Rain Showers Likely 62% precip
Spring is +145° warmer
Saturday 57° Low 32° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 31% precip
Spring is +142° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Tower Fall Campground 13.8 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 8,271 ft

At 8,271 feet, Hot Springs On Bog 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 33% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.

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Temperature
199°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 199°F (93°C)
Avg Air Temp 32°F
Above Ambient +167°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road Grand Loop Road
Distance to Road 4.4 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 On Bog Creek?
Hot Springs On Bog Creek has a water temperature of 199°F (93°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hot Springs On Bog Creek located?
Hot Springs On Bog Creek is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 8,271 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.6900°N, 110.3840°W.
How do I get to Hot Springs On Bog Creek?
Hot Springs On Bog Creek has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Grand Loop Road (4.4 mi from the road).
Is Hot Springs On Bog Creek free to visit?
Hot Springs On Bog Creek has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Hot Springs On Bog Creek?
Yes, Tower Fall Campground is located nearby (13.8 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Hot Springs On Bog Creek?
No, not at the source. The water at Hot Springs On Bog Creek 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.