Turbid Springs

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.5440°N, 110.2580°W · 7,858 ft
198°F 28°F air · Good soaking weather 7,858 ft Open Hike National Park Service Camping nearby (15.5 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 198°F, the source water at Turbid 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 Turbid Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Turbid 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.

Turbid Springs is a hot spring in Yellowstone reached by a hike of about a mile and a half from the East Entrance Road. Near-boiling on record. Gallatin County, with West Yellowstone as the nearest town on file. Park Service land, open. Nothing on record describes the water beyond its temperature.

Location

Start at the East Entrance Road and walk 1.6 miles. Elevation near 7,900 feet. This is the snowiest point in the East Entrance group on record, thirteen feet a season, with moderate precipitation and an annual average in the mid thirties. National park land. No trail details are on file. High country, cold most of the year.

Near-boiling; keep well back. The months on record as best are January, December and February, which for a mile-and-a-half walk under thirteen feet of snow means skis and a plowed road, so check both. Threemile Campground is the nearest camp listed, about fifteen miles away. No fee on file.

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 Turbid Springs.

Setting
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
164 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
87 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 25% 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
17°
Feb
25°
Mar
30°
Apr
38°
May
48°
Jun
59°
Jul
59°
Aug
51°
Sep
36°
Oct
25°
Nov
16°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.4 in Annual Snow: 155.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 16°F · Water 198°F · +182° contrast
December Air 16°F · Water 198°F · +182° contrast
February Air 17°F · Water 198°F · +181° contrast
January offers 43°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
28°F
N 0.0 mph 85% Good soaking weather
Today 61° Low 32° Sunny
Spring is +137° warmer
Wednesday 66° Low 36° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +132° warmer
Thursday 64° Low 37° Showers And Thunderstorms 79% precip
Spring is +134° warmer
Friday 56° Low 31° Rain Showers Likely 62% precip
Spring is +142° warmer
Saturday 59° Low 31° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 32% precip
Spring is +139° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Threemile Campground 15.5 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 →
Mile-High Advisory 7,858 ft

Turbid Springs sits at 7,858 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 31% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
198°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 198°F (92°C)
Avg Air Temp 35°F
Above Ambient +163°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Nearest Road East Entrance Road
Distance to Road 1.6 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 Turbid Springs?
Turbid Springs has a water temperature of 198°F (92°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Turbid Springs located?
Turbid Springs is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,858 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.5440°N, 110.2580°W.
How do I get to Turbid Springs?
Turbid Springs has Hike road access, with the nearest road being East Entrance Road (1.6 mi from the road).
Is Turbid Springs free to visit?
Turbid Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Turbid Springs?
Yes, Threemile Campground is located nearby (15.5 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Turbid Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Turbid Springs reaches 198°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.