Sevenmile Hole

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.7540°N, 110.4030°W · 6,704 ft
154°F 38°F air · Good soaking weather 6,704 ft Open Hike National Park Service Camping nearby (9.4 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 154°F, the source water at Sevenmile Hole 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.

A hike of a bit under three miles off the closest road puts you at Sevenmile Hole, a hot spring in the Gallatin County part of Yellowstone. Scalding water. At around 6,700 feet it sits lower than most thermal points in the park. The nearest town listed is West Yellowstone. Open ground, Park Service.

Location

The record lists a hike of 2.7 miles but does not name the road it begins from. Elevation is comparatively low for Yellowstone, which is likely why the average temperature on record is a degree or two warmer than nearby features. Snow still runs around eleven feet. Moderate precipitation. National park, no further designation.

Scalding water; stay out of it and off the edge. December through February are the months on record as best, which for a near-three-mile hike in this snow country means skis. Tower Fall Campground is the closest camp listed, about nine miles away. No fee on file. Ask the park about trail status before going.

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 Sevenmile Hole.

Aerial view of the ground around Sevenmile Hole LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Sevenmile Hole
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.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
555 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
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
135 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 86% 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
19°
Jan
20°
Feb
28°
Mar
34°
Apr
42°
May
52°
Jun
63°
Jul
62°
Aug
53°
Sep
38°
Oct
26°
Nov
17°
Dec
Annual Precip: 26.8 in Annual Snow: 133.1 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 17°F · Water 154°F · +137° contrast
January Air 19°F · Water 154°F · +135° contrast
February Air 20°F · Water 154°F · +134° contrast
December offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
38°F
ESE 6.1 mph 63% Good soaking weather
Today 63° Low 34° Sunny
Spring is +91° warmer
Wednesday 69° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +85° warmer
Thursday 67° Low 40° Showers And Thunderstorms 75% precip
Spring is +87° warmer
Friday 59° Low 34° Rain Showers Likely 62% precip
Spring is +95° warmer
Saturday 62° Low 34° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 31% precip
Spring is +92° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Tower Fall Campground 9.4 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 →
Mile-High Advisory 6,704 ft

Sevenmile Hole sits at 6,704 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
154°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 154°F (68°C)
Avg Air Temp 38°F
Above Ambient +116°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 2.7 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 Sevenmile Hole?
Sevenmile Hole has a water temperature of 154°F (68°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Sevenmile Hole located?
Sevenmile Hole is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 6,704 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.7540°N, 110.4030°W.
How do I get to Sevenmile Hole?
Sevenmile Hole has Hike road access (2.7 mi from the road).
Is Sevenmile Hole free to visit?
Sevenmile Hole has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Sevenmile Hole?
Yes, Tower Fall Campground is located nearby (9.4 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Sevenmile Hole?
No, not at the source. The water at Sevenmile Hole reaches 154°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.