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Quick FactsOverview
About Boiling River Hot Springs
Boiling River Hot Springs, Wyoming is a geothermal spring near Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park where a channel of hot spring water historically flowed into the Gardner River. The area is permanently closed and unsafe for soaking following the June 2022 Yellowstone floods. Those floods reshaped the Gardner River, shifted the geothermal vents, and washed out the trail. Where hot spring water once mixed with cold river water to create safe soaking temperatures, the water now runs at approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit with no cool water mixing. The NPS has officially deemed the area unsafe, and as of February 2026 there are no plans to reopen it.
Before 2022, Boiling River was one of the very few places inside Yellowstone where thermal soaking was permitted by the NPS. Visitors used river rocks to build pooled soaking areas where the hot and cold water converged. The area was seasonally closed during spring high water each year. The 2022 floods were part of a historic June event that surged the Gardner River to approximately four times its expected flow level, damaging roads, trails, and infrastructure across northern Yellowstone. The geothermal spring continues to flow, but the configuration that made soaking possible no longer exists.
Location & Access
Access to Boiling River Hot Springs
Boiling River Hot Springs is currently closed and inaccessible for soaking. The area has been officially closed by the National Park Service since the June 2022 floods with no reopening timeline. Do not attempt to access the hot spring for soaking purposes. Check nps.gov/yell for current conditions and any future status updates.
When the area was open, the trailhead was located on the North Entrance Road, Route 89, approximately 3 miles south of Gardiner, Montana and 2 miles north of Mammoth Hot Springs, just north of the Wyoming-Montana state line. A parking area with bathroom facilities was on the east side of the road. The half-mile trail along the west bank of the Gardner River led south to the spring outflow. The National Park entrance fee applied for all visitors. The site was located within a short drive of Mammoth Hot Springs and the park's northern facilities, making it one of the most accessible thermal soaking locations in Yellowstone for visitors staying at or near Mammoth. For those seeking hot springs near Mammoth Hot Springs Wyoming, the NPS website currently lists no legal soaking alternatives within the park boundaries, and outside the park the nearest developed options are commercial facilities north of Gardiner in Montana.
Suitability & Accessibility
Suitability and Former Accessibility of Boiling River Hot Springs
Boiling River Hot Springs is permanently closed and unsuitable for any visit intended for soaking. The geothermal water at the site now runs at approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit with no safe mixing zone. Contact with this water would cause immediate severe burns. Do not enter the water or approach the hot spring channel. The area may still be visited as a trail for observing the Gardner River and the geothermal landscape, but soaking is prohibited and would be dangerous without the former cool-water mixing conditions.
Before the 2022 floods, the site was one of the most accessible thermal soaking spots in the Western United States for visitors of all abilities. The trail was flat, hard-packed, and half a mile long with only 50 feet of elevation change, making it suitable for families, older visitors, and most fitness levels. The soaking area was in a shallow, calm stretch of river. The park entrance fee was the only cost, and no permits or reservations were required beyond the standard seasonal closure for high water each spring.
The loss of Boiling River has left a significant gap for visitors seeking hot springs near Mammoth Hot Springs Wyoming and within Yellowstone National Park. The Firehole River Swimming Area near Madison Junction is the only remaining NPS-designated swimming location inside the park, though it is not a hot spring and has also experienced full-season closures in recent years.
Safety & Etiquette
Boiling River Hot Springs Safety Information
Boiling River Hot Springs is permanently closed. Do not attempt to soak in the geothermal water. The June 2022 Yellowstone floods shifted the geothermal vents and eliminated the cold-water mixing zone that previously made soaking safe. The hot spring water now flows at approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Immersion in this water would cause severe and potentially fatal burns. The NPS has officially deemed the site unsafe with no reopening timeline as of February 2026.
If you visit the trailhead area, be aware of the following hazards. The trail and river banks were significantly altered by the 2022 floods. Original infrastructure including walkways was washed out. Terrain near the hot spring outflow area may be unstable or eroded. Keep a safe distance from any steam venting or geothermally heated ground. Never touch or enter any hydrothermal water in Yellowstone, including any hot spring outflows, regardless of apparent temperature or steam level. Hydrothermal waters in Yellowstone can cause serious skin rashes, infections, and in some cases primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, which can be rapidly fatal.
Standard Yellowstone safety applies throughout the area. Bears and other wildlife are present. Carry bear spray, make noise on the trail, and store food properly. The North Entrance Road along this section may have limited cell service. Emergency services in Yellowstone can be reached by calling 911 or the park emergency line. The nearest hospital is in Livingston, Montana, approximately 55 miles north of Mammoth Hot Springs.
Always check nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/conditions.htm for current closures before planning any visit to Boiling River or any other feature in Yellowstone National Park.
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