The Mushpots

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.6340°N, 110.2260°W · 8,093 ft
Hot 26°F air · Good soaking weather 8,093 ft Open Backcountry National Park Service Camping nearby (16.5 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around The Mushpots LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around The Mushpots
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.

The Mushpots are a thermal feature in the Yellowstone backcountry, close to seven miles from the East Entrance Road. No measured temperature is on file, though the record tags the feature as hot. Not a soaking spot. Public access is open, and this is National Park Service land, with the park's rules on thermal areas in force.

Location

Deep in the park, at over 8,000 feet. The nearest road is the East Entrance Road, 6.8 miles away, and that distance is walked. Snow totals run about 150 inches a year, the heaviest of any Yellowstone spring on this site. Wet for the Rockies. No trail name or route detail is on file.

No best months are recorded. With that snow load, the summer window will be short. Threemile Campground is the closest listed, about sixteen miles off. A backcountry permit is a park matter and is not described in the record. Without a temperature, treat any water here as potentially scalding.

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 The Mushpots.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the east.
Highest ground nearby
274 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
85 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 23% 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
16°
Feb
24°
Mar
29°
Apr
37°
May
47°
Jun
58°
Jul
58°
Aug
49°
Sep
34°
Oct
23°
Nov
14°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.8 in Annual Snow: 150.1 in
Current Conditions
26°F
N 0.0 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Today 59° Low 31° Sunny
Wednesday 64° Low 35° Sunny 3% precip
Thursday 63° Low 37° Showers And Thunderstorms 79% precip
Friday 55° Low 31° Rain Showers Likely 63% precip
Saturday 58° Low 30° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 32% precip
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Threemile Campground 16.5 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 →
High Altitude Advisory 8,093 ft

At 8,093 feet, The Mushpots 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 32% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.

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Temperature
Hot
Warm Hot Boiling
Avg Air Temp 34°F
Access
Open
Road Access Backcountry
Nearest Road East Entrance Road
Distance to Road 6.8 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 The Mushpots?
The Mushpots is classified as hot. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.
Where is The Mushpots located?
The Mushpots is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 8,093 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.6340°N, 110.2260°W.
How do I get to The Mushpots?
The Mushpots has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being East Entrance Road (6.8 mi from the road).
Is The Mushpots free to visit?
The Mushpots has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near The Mushpots?
Yes, Threemile Campground is located nearby (16.5 miles away).