Overview

One of the most popular destinations in Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth Hot Springs is in the northwest corner of the park, close to Fort Yellowstone.

Location

Mammoth Hot Springs is located near the northern (Gardiner, Montana) entrance to Yellowstone, 48 miles northeast of West Yellowstone, making it an ideal day-trip attraction.

Seasons

Mammoth Hot Springs is accessible the year round.

Activities

Mammoth Hot Springs features unique hot spring pools, called terraces, where geologic formations have come about from the heat, flowing water and limestone. These terraces are an amazing sight.

The Lower Terraces are great to visit. You’ll see the Opal Terrace flowing from the base of Capitol Hill. Don’t miss Liberty Cap which is a cone-shaped spring more than 30 feet tall. If you stop at Palette Spring, you’ll see where it got its name, from the colors of brown, orange and green in the water. Hike along the one-mile Lower Terrace Trail to get to a beautiful overlook.

The Upper Terrace Loop is comprised of the Upper Terrace Overlook, where you can view the entire Mammoth Hot Springs area, Canary Spring with its yellow coloring, White Elephant Back Terrace and Angel Terrace.

You are also in easy reach of the Yellowstone North Entrance at Mammoth where you can see the Roosevelt Arch. Take a walking tour of Fort Yellowstone or stop by the Albright Visitor Center and Museum. There’s plenty to do for the whole family.

Additional Info

The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins is located here too. This wonderful park lodge provides some charming cabins, a full-service restaurant and grill. It’s open from May 1st to October 5th for the summer season, and from December 21st to March 7th for the winter season.