Jackson Lake Hot Springs

Teton County, Wyoming · Near Moose Wilson Road
43.9580°N, 110.6960°W · 6,748 ft
162°F 6,748 ft Open Hike National Park Service Camping nearby (3.2 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 162°F, the source water at Jackson Lake Hot Springs 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 Jackson Lake Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Jackson Lake Hot Springs
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.

Jackson Lake Hot Springs is a scalding spring in the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park, Teton County, Wyoming. The water on record is 162 degrees, far too hot to enter, and the spring is a hike of a bit over two miles from the nearest road access, which the record gives as the Lakeview Picnic Area. Park Service land, open to the public on foot.

Location

Snow is the defining fact: about fourteen feet a winter, with total precipitation near three feet, so this is wet, high ground at roughly 6,700 feet. The approach begins at Lakeview Picnic Area, per the record. Lizard Creek Campground is three miles away, the closest listed.

The heat is well past scalding, so keep skin out of it. Winter tops the record's season list; in winter the hike in is on snow. Lizard Creek Campground is close. No fee is on file, and there is no water chemistry in the record. Grand Teton's backcountry 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 Jackson Lake Hot Springs.

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

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 15% 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
20°
Jan
22°
Feb
29°
Mar
34°
Apr
41°
May
52°
Jun
63°
Jul
63°
Aug
54°
Sep
40°
Oct
29°
Nov
20°
Dec
Annual Precip: 34.1 in Annual Snow: 169.7 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 20°F · Water 162°F · +142° contrast
December Air 20°F · Water 162°F · +142° contrast
February Air 22°F · Water 162°F · +140° contrast
January offers 43°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
Today 65° Low 35° Sunny
Spring is +97° warmer
Wednesday 69° Low 40° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 11% precip
Spring is +93° warmer
Thursday 66° Low 38° Showers And Thunderstorms 86% precip
Spring is +96° warmer
Friday 60° Low 33° Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 48% precip
Spring is +102° warmer
Saturday 63° Low 32° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 23% precip
Spring is +99° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Lizard Creek Campground 3.2 mi away

Overview The Lizard Creek Campground is located in the northern portion of Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) and provides a convenient basecamp for campers taking day trips to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. This 60-site campground sits on the northern shore of Jackson Lake and offers access to the lake waters and views of the northern Teton Mountain Range. The area is frequented by various park wildlife, large and small as well as a variety of bird species. This Campground i...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,748 ft

Jackson Lake Hot Springs sits at 6,748 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
162°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 162°F (72°C)
Avg Air Temp 39°F
Above Ambient +123°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road Lakeview Picnic Area
Distance to Road 2.3 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency National Park Service
Designation National Park
Unit Grand Teton National Park
Manager National Park Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Jackson Lake Hot Springs?
Jackson Lake Hot Springs has a water temperature of 162°F (72°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Jackson Lake Hot Springs located?
Jackson Lake Hot Springs is located in Teton County, Wyoming at 6,748 feet elevation, near Moose Wilson Road. Coordinates: 43.9580°N, 110.6960°W.
How do I get to Jackson Lake Hot Springs?
Jackson Lake Hot Springs has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Lakeview Picnic Area (2.3 mi from the road).
Is Jackson Lake Hot Springs free to visit?
Jackson Lake Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Jackson Lake Hot Springs?
Yes, Lizard Creek Campground is located nearby (3.2 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Jackson Lake Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Jackson Lake Hot Springs reaches 162°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS