Springs On Fairy Creek

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.5510°N, 110.8500°W · 7,217 ft
Hot 25°F air · Good soaking weather 7,217 ft Open Hike National Park Service Camping nearby (20.3 mi)
Springs On Fairy Creek
Image via Wikidata

Springs On Fairy Creek covers a set of thermal springs strung along Fairy Creek in Yellowstone, Gallatin County, something over a mile of hiking from the road. No temperature was ever recorded, so there is no telling if it is soakable, and nothing there should be assumed cool enough to touch. West Yellowstone stands as the closest listed town. Park land, open.

Location

The record lists a 1.3-mile hike without naming the road. Elevation around 7,200 feet. Snowfall on record is heavy, around thirteen feet, and the year is wetter than most of the park's thermal areas. Average temperature in the upper thirties. Park Service land, national park designation. Nothing else about the ground is on file.

No best months are on record and no temperature either, so treat it as unknown and hot. Summer is the practical window given the snow. Big Springs group area in Island Park is the campground on record, twenty miles away. No fee listed. The USGS lists a site here.

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 Springs On Fairy Creek.

Aerial view of the ground around Springs On Fairy Creek LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Springs On Fairy 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.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
16 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
165 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 96% 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
16°
Jan
19°
Feb
27°
Mar
32°
Apr
40°
May
52°
Jun
63°
Jul
62°
Aug
52°
Sep
36°
Oct
24°
Nov
15°
Dec
Annual Precip: 29.5 in Annual Snow: 151.6 in
Current Conditions
25°F
ESE 5.1 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Today 64° Low 26° Sunny
Wednesday 71° Low 35° Sunny
Thursday 68° Low 34° Showers And Thunderstorms 81% precip
Friday 60° Low 28° Rain Showers Likely 61% precip
Saturday 63° Low 27° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 19% precip
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Big Springs Grp. Area Island Park 20.3 mi away

Overview Big Springs Group Area is located 22 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana in beautiful Island Park, Idaho at an approximate elevation of 6,300 feet. Visitors love Island Park for its world-class fishing and outstanding scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.Recreation Big Springs is the headwaters of Henry's Fork and is one of the largest springs in the country. Henry's Fork is considered one of the best fly-fishing streams in the nation. Fishermen cast for rainbow and brook...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 7,217 ft

Springs On Fairy Creek sits at 7,217 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 29% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
Hot
Warm Hot Boiling
Avg Air Temp 37°F
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 1.3 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 Springs On Fairy Creek?
Springs On Fairy Creek is classified as hot. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.
Where is Springs On Fairy Creek located?
Springs On Fairy Creek is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,217 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.5510°N, 110.8500°W.
How do I get to Springs On Fairy Creek?
Springs On Fairy Creek has Hike road access (1.3 mi from the road).
Is Springs On Fairy Creek free to visit?
Springs On Fairy Creek has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Springs On Fairy Creek?
Yes, Big Springs Grp. Area Island Park is located nearby (20.3 miles away).