Best 11 hot springs in and near Yellowstone National Park

Are you looking for the best hot springs in or near Yellowstone National Park? If so, you’re in the right place.

Yellowstone National Park has several hot springs located inside the park boundaries. Plus, several wonderful hot springs are within a 30-minute drive from the park. And a bit futher, there are even more.

Read on for a list of the eleven best hot springs in or near Yellowstone National Park.

11 hot springs in or near Yellowstone National Park

Table of contents:

1. Firehole River Swimming Area (MT)
2. Boiling River (MT)
3. Yellowstone Hot Springs (MT)
4. Chico Hot Springs (MT)
5. Bozeman Hot Springs (MT)
6. Norris Hot Springs (MT)
7. Potosi Hot Springs (MT)
8. Renova Hot Springs (MT)
9. Granite Hot Springs & Camp (WY)
10. Green Canyon Hot Springs and Resort (ID)
11. Heise Hot Springs (ID)

Montana

The first eight hot springs near Yellowstone National Park on this list are located in Montana.

1. Firehole River Swimming Area

Quick facts

• Rate: None
• Opening hours: Closed at night
• Temperature: 75°F to 86°F (23.8°C to 30°C)
• Accommodation: None
• Amenities: Toilet
• Location: About 10 minutes north of the Lower Geyser Basin on Firehole Canyon Drive (Highway 191) inside the park
• Access: On-site parking
• Pets: Not allowed

A river that steams

The Firehole River received its name from early trappers exploring the Yellowstone area before the region was established as a national park. They named the river for the steam that rises from its surface, giving the impression that the river is on fire.

The Firehole River flows roughly 21 miles (34 km) from its source in the southwestern region of the park to the Madison River in the northwest region of the park.

The water of the Firehole River is heated by surrounding geothermal features that flow into the river. The water near the geothermal area is roughly 41°F to 50°F (5°C to 10°C) hotter than it is upstream.

Swimming area

The Firehole swimming area is located just a 10-minute drive north of the Lower Geyser Basin (where Grand Prismatic Spring and Fountain Paint Pots are located) on Firehole Canyon Drive. Park your car in designated parking spaces along the roadside, grab your gear, and walk down the boardwalk to the water.

The boardwalk leads to a wide spot in the river that’s suitable for swimming. However, the river still has a swift current, and there are no lifeguards on duty. It’s suitable only for strong swimmers. Swim at your own risk.

The water isn’t hot, but it’s a comfortable 75°F to 86°F (23.8°C to 30°C).

Swimming and soaking rules

• Swimming is allowed only during designated opening hours. The swimming area is closed at night.
• Bathing suits are mandatory.
• No food or drink is allowed. Cans, bottles, and plastic containers are forbidden.
• Use of soap, shampoo, and other substances is prohibited (even the biodegradable sorts).
• Climbing, diving, or jumping from the cliffs or trees is forbidden.
• Rafts, tubes, noodles, and other types of floats and toys are forbidden.
• Water wings and life jackets are allowed and recommended.

*Seasonal closures

The Firehole swimming area is usually closed until mid-summer due to high water levels from spring runoff. During seasons with high snowpack, the swimming area can be closed all season. Check the NPS official website for road closures and other important notices.

Find Firehole River Swimming Area on the map

2. Boiling River

*Due to the 2022 flooding on the Gardner River, Boiling River Hot Spring is closed indefinitely.

Quick facts

• Rate: None
• Opening hours:
  • Early Jul – Early Sep: 6 am – 8 pm 
  • Fall/Spring/Winter: 7 am – 6 pm
• Temperature: 140°F (60°C) at the source, with year-round fluctuations in the soaking area
• Accommodation: None (the closest accommodation is in Gardiner)
• Location: About 10 min south of Gardiner inside the park on the North Entrance Road
• Access: ​Park in the lots on either side of North Entrance Road. Walk to the hot spring
• Pets: Dogs must be leashed and shouldn’t go in the hot springs

Undeveloped and pure

Boiling River is the second of two hot springs located inside Yellowstone National Park (the first being the Firehole River swimming area). The Boiling River Hot Spring is located just 15 minutes south of the park’s north entrance on North Entrance Road.

Here, the piping hot geothermally heated water from the nearby Boiling River flows down over a travertine and into the cool waters of the Gardner River. The warm water is trapped by stacked rocks where it mixes with the cool river water and forms perfect soaking pools.

The boiling river is about 140°F (60°C) at its source, but cools significantly when it mixes with the waters of the Gardner River. Park your car at the parking areas on either side of the north entrance road and walk the path to the unmistakable soaking area.

Check Boiling River water temperatures at waterdata.usgs.gov before you go.

Want to spend the night?

The nearest accommodation is in Gardiner.

Find Boiling River on the map

3. Yellowstone Hot Springs

Quick facts

• Rate:
  • With lodging: Included
  • Without lodging:
    • Age 13+: $12
    • Seniors/Veterans: $9
    • Age 4 – 12: $8
    • Age 0 – 3: Free
    • YNP Employees: $9
• Opening hours:
  • Wed – Sun: 9 am – 9 pm
  • Mon & Tues: Closed
• Temperatures: 102°F (39°C)
• Accommodation:
  • Cabins
  • RV pitches
  • Tent camping
• Location: About ten minutes north of the north park entrance.
• Access: ​On-site parking 
• Pets: Not allowed

Modern amenities in Paradise Valley

Yellowstone Hot Springs is one of the most historic hot springs near Yellowstone National Park. With a recent renovation, it offers a full range of amenities, including baby changing stations.

Outside, visitors enjoy a main pool surrounded by smaller pools. All of the pools are around 102°F (39°C) and are flow-through, meaning naturally heated spring waters from beneath the earth’s surface constantly flow through the pools, pumping fresh water in and pushing old water out.

Amenities

• Restrooms
• Showers
• Baby changing stations

Accommodation

• Cabins*
• RV pitches*
• Tent campsites*

*Soaking included.

Find Yellowstone Hot Springs on the map

4. Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa

Quick facts

• Rate:
  • With lodging: Included
  • Without lodging:
    • Age 7+: $10.00
    • Age 65+: $5.00 
    • Age 3 – 6: $5.00 
• Opening hours:
  • With lodging: 7 am – 11 pm, daily
  • Without lodging: 8 am – 11 pm, daily
• Temperatures:
  • Large pool: 106°F (41°C)
  • Small pool: 96°F (36°C)
• Accommodation:
  • Rooms
  • Houses
  • Cabins
  • Caboose
  • Covered wagon
• Location: About 30 min south of Livingston off Highway 540 near Pray, Montana.
• Access: ​On-site parking 
• Pets: Allowed

A classic

Chico Hot Springs is another of the classic hot springs near Yellowstone National Park, with more than 100 years of history and modern amenities.

Guests here usually make a weekend out of it, staying in one of the many accommodation options, which range from rooms to a renovated caboose. On-site, there are two hot spring pools: a large one at 96°F (36 °C), and a small one at 106°F (41°C).

Chico is a large resort, perfect for singles, families, and large gatherings. The pool area is big and modern, and the surrounding property is spacious and beautiful. Chico is a great venue for events and celebrations.

On-site amenities

• Several restaurants
• Day spa
• Gardens
• Disc golf course

Guests can also partake in outdoor activities, such as scenic river adventures and day trips to Pray. 

Accommodation

• Historic lodges
• Cabins
• Rooms
• Cowboy camp, featuring a converted wagon

Find Chico Hot Springs on the map

5. Bozeman Hot Springs

Quick facts

• Pools only

Weekday	Weekends & Holidays
Age 14+: $17	Age 14+: $12
Age 60+: $12	Age 60+: $15
Age 5 – 13: $15	Age 5 – 13: $17
Age 0 – 4: $8	Age 0 – 4: $10
Military: $12	Military: $12

• Pools & Fitness

Weekday: $25

Weekend: $30

• Opening hours*:
  • Mon-Thur: 6 am – 11 pm
  • Fri: 6 am – 12:30 am
  • Sat: 1:30 am – 11:59 pm
  • Sun: 8:00 am – 11:00 pm

*depending on the season

• Temperatures: 59°F – 106°F (15°C – 41°C)
• Accommodation: 
  • Cabins
  • RV pitches
  • Tent camping
• Location: About 20 min west of Bozeman off Highway 191 (left at Four Corners).
• Access: ​On-site parking 
• Pets: Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, but must be leashed

A modern hot spring grounds near Bozeman

Bozeman Hot Springs is a perfect stop for anyone passing through Bozeman on their way to Yellowstone National Park. This hot spring sits just outside of town, a few minutes south of Four Corners.

Bozeman Hot Springs is a large establishment with numerous pools and onsite amenities, making it the perfect place for anyone from singles to large groups and events. On-site, visitors enjoy access to 12 pools (indoor and outdoor), ranging from 59°F to 106°F (15°C – 41°C).

They’ve recently renovated the entire grounds, offering visitors a modern, pleasant atmosphere that will have you coming back again and again. Check the Bozeman Hot Springs’ online event schedule for live weekly music events that take place in the outdoor poolside stage.

On-site amenities

• Wet and dry saunas
• Childcare services
• Swimming lessons
• Gym

Accommodation

The nearest accommodation is just down the street at the Bozeman Campground. This is a separate business from the pools, but offers the following amenities:

• RV pitches
• Tent sites
• Cabins

Find Bozeman Hot Springs on the map

6. Norris Hot Springs

Quick facts

• Rate:
  • Age 12+: $10
  • Age 64+: $5
  • Age 0 – 11: $3
  • Music cover: $2
• Opening hours:
  • Thurs – Sun: 10 am – 10 pm daily
• Temperature:
  • Winter: 106°F (41°C)
  • Summer: 100°F (38°C)
• Accommodation:
  • RV pitches
    • Full hookups: $33/day
    • No hookups: $22/day
  • Tent camping

*No fires, outdoor stoves, or generators

• Location: About 45 min west of Bozeman on MT 84 in Norris, Montana
• Access: ​Parking lot
• Pets: Dogs are allowed in the campgrounds, but must be on a leash

An oasis in the hills

Norris Hot Springs is another perfect stop-off if you’re passing through the Gallatin Valley on your way to Yellowstone National Park. Norris is an oasis tucked away in the hills about 45 minutes west of Bozeman in Norris.

This quaint hot springs features a single pool, a poolside stage for live music performances, and an onsite restaurant that serves local cuisine made from local ingredients.

Accommodation

• RV pitches
• Tent camping

Find Norris Hot Springs on the map

7. Potosi Hot Springs

Quick facts

• Rate:
  • With lodging: Included
  • Without lodging: $200 base rate, includes 10 people, + $15 per extra person, max 20 people, 12 pm – 2 pm, Wed – Sat
• Opening hours:
  • Without lodging:
    • Wed – Sat: 12 pm – 2 pm
• Temperatures:
  • Large pool: 93°F (34°C)
  • Indoor tub: 102°F (39°C)
• Accommodation: Four six-person cabins with kitchens, balconies, and stone fireplaces
• Location: About 30 min (20 mi) west of Norris on Highway 12
• Access: ​On-site parking
• Pets: Couldn’t confirm

A small, modern hot spring in a wooded valley

Potosi Hot Springs in Montana is another perfect stop-off not far from Yellowstone National Park. However, it’s still about a 2-hour drive to the west entrance of the park from Potosi, so it’s best visited on your way to or from the park.

This family-owned and operated oasis sits in a green valley of the Tobacco Root Mountains. It’s the perfect place for silence and relaxation. One end of the main pool is built into the side of a beautiful rock outcropping. The pool sits at roughly 93°F (34°C) and offers an immersive experience.

The hot springs here are only available to overnight guests, save for a two-hour time block from 12 pm to 2 pm, when opens to the public by reservation.

Amenities

Sauna

Accommodation

Cabins: Four six-person cabins, kitchens, balconies, and stone fireplaces

Find Potosi Hot Springs on the map

8. Renova Hot Springs

Quick facts

• Rate: None
• Opening hours: Year-round
• Temperature: 110 – 122°F (43°C – 50°C) at the source
• Accommodation: None
• Location: About 10 min (10 mi) by car south of Whitehall on MT 81
• Access: On-site parking space
• Pets: Dogs must be leashed and shouldn’t go in the hot springs

Hot pots on the Jefferson River valley

Renova Hot Springs is a little paradise along the banks of an estuary of the Jefferson River, tucked away beneath the Highland Mountains in southwest Montana.

This is a perfect spot to soak in mid-summer if you’re looking for an undeveloped natural hot springs near Yellowstone National Park. However, it’s still about a 2.5-hour drive to the nearest park entrance at West Yellowstone. It’s a perfect stop-off for anyone approaching the park from the west.

Here, stacked rock retaining walls collect hot spring water that flows down the bank and into the estuary. There are a couple of pools, each offering pleasant views across the valley.

Getting there: The road to Renova requires a 4×4 with good clearance. When road conditions are wet, it’s not reachable.

When to go: Renova Hot Springs gets washed out during the spring runoff, during which time it isn’t accessible. The best time to visit is from July to October when the river level is low.

Drinking, DUIs, and drug use: Renova Hot Springs has a reputation for being a location for drinking and drug use. It’s worth knowing about this beautiful spot, but consider another location if you’re a family.

Find Renova Hot Springs on the map

Wyoming

Below, we list hot springs near Yellowstone National Park, located in Wyoming.

9. Granite Hot Springs & Camp

Quick facts

• Rate (cash only):
  • Adult: $8
  • Child: $5
• Opening hours (weather dependent – call ahead 307-690-6323):
  • May 15 – Oct 31: 10 am to 8 pm
  • Early Dec – early April: 10 am to 5 pm (only accessible by snowmobile, snowshoe, cross-country skis)
• Temperatures:
  • Winter: 112 °F (44 °C)
  • Summer (peak snow melt): mid 80s°F to mid 90s°F (29°C to 35°C)
• Accommodation: Granite Creek Campground features 51 tent camping sites and 6 pull-through RV sites on a first-come-first-served basis. $15/night
• Location: About 2.5 hours (104 mi) south of the park’s south entrance
• Access: ​Rough, dirt road with a parking lot at the hot spring
• Pets: Pet-friendly

Large, manmade pool in an off-the-beaten-path location

Granite Hot Springs and Camp is a large, well-developed, manmade pool in an off-the-beaten-path location south of Yellowstone National Park. It’s located in the Gros Ventre Mountain Range about an hour southeast of Jackson, Wyoming.

To get here in the summer, you’ll want a car with a good suspension and some clearance. It’s a slow, bumpy road to the spring. However, it’s well worth it once you arrive. The fee is $8 for adults and $5 for children, cash only. Remember to bring your own towel.

The grounds feature a large, manmade pool with a wooden deck, a sitting area, and a wooden fence. In the corner, closer to the spring, the water is hotter, while the rest of the pool sits at a comfortably warm temperature.

Visitors here can also enjoy fishing in Granite Creek or hiking further into the Gros Ventre Mountain Range. 

Amenities

• Bathroom
• Changing rooms
• Picnic tables
• Information kiosks

Accommodation

Granite Creek Campground features 51 tent camping sites and 6 pull-through RV sites on a first-come-first-serve basis, each for $15/night.

Find Granite Creek Hot Springs on the map

Idaho

Below, we list the hot springs near Yellowstone National Park that lie in Idaho.

10. Green Canyon Hot Springs and Resort

Quick facts

• Rate:
  • Age 3+: $9.75 regular, $8.75 discounted*
  • Age 2 and under: $2.50
  • *Discount rate conditions:
    • Groups: Group of 12 or more
    • Families: Dad + mom + at least 2 kids / Dad or mom + 3 kids
    • Students: With current ID
    • Seniors: Age 60+
    • Military: With card
    • Registered campers
• Opening hours:
  • Summer (Memorial Day – Labor Day):
    • Mon-Fri: Noon – 10 pm
    • Sat: 10 am – 10 pm
  • Off-Season (Labor Day – Memorial Day):
    • Mon, Tues, Fri: 5 pm – 9 pm
    • Sat: Noon – 9 pm
  • Holidays:
    • Closed:
      • Thanksgiving Day
      • Christmas Eve
      • Christmas Day
      • All Sundays (including holiday Sundays)
    • Open:
      • Civil Rights Day: Noon – 9 pm
      • Presidents Day: Noon – 9 pm
      • Memorial Day: Noon – 10 pm
      • Labor Day: Noon – 10 pm
      • Day after Thanksgiving:   Noon – 9 pm
      • Dec. 26 – Jan. 1: Noon – 9 pm
• Temperatures:
  • Spring (source): 115°F (46°C)
  • Large pool: 96°F (36°C)
  • Hot pool: 105°F (41°C)
  • Cold pool: 55°F (13°C)
• Accommodation:
  • RV pitches
  • Tent sites
• Location: About 1.5 hours south of West Yellowstone off Highway 33.
• Access: ​Paved road, parking lot
• Pets: Pet-friendly

Steeped in history

Green Canyon Hot Springs and Resort lies in Idaho, about 87 miles (140 km) from West Yellowstone, the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

This historic hot springs resort features well-kept facilities dating back to the 50s. The original establishment started in 1903, located on a hill not far from the current resort. The current resort building was constructed in 1947. Expect a vintage vibe.

Guests enjoy access to three pools: a large pool (96°F, 36 °C), a hot pool (105°F, 41°C), and a cold pool (55°F, 13 °C). While the facilities are dated, the water is always clean.

Guests and their children can also partake in week-long swim camps (swimming lessons).

Amenities

• Bathrooms
• Showers
• Grill and snack bar
• Indoor fireplaces (for public use)

Accommodation

• RV pitches (full hookups, partial hookups)
• Tent sites

Find Green Canyon Hot Springs on the map

11. Heise Hot Springs

Quick facts

• Fee:
  • Ages 12+: $12 + 6% sales tax
  • Ages 11 and under: $10 + 6% sales tax
• Opening hours:
  • Winter (Labor Day (1st Monday in Sep) – Thursday before Memorial Day weekend (last Monday of May)):
    • Monday – Friday: 2 pm to 10 pm
    • Saturday & Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm
    • Closed:
      • Oct 30 – Nov 5
      • Nov 20 – Nov 23
  • Summer (Friday before Memorial Day (last Monday of May) – Labor Day (1st Monday in Sep)):
    • Monday – Sunday: 10 am to 10 pm 
• Temperatures: 104°F (40°C)
• Accommodation:
  • Cabins
  • RV pitches
  • Tent sites
• Location: About 1.7 hours south of West Yellowstone off Highway 20 on East Heise Rd
• Access: ​Paved road, parking lot
• Pets: Allowed in the campground on a leash, but not in the cabins

A large resort with many activities

Heise Hot Springs is a large hot springs resort near Yellowstone National Park, located about 100 miles (161 km) south of West Yellowstone, the west entrance to the park.

Heise Hot Springs offers large pools, cabins, camping, and activities, including a golf course and a zip line. Its large size and ample recreation space make it a great place for singles as well as families.

It features several hot pools, all of which are roughly 104°F (40 °C). A warm, shallow pool sits at 92°F (33°C), making it a perfect option for children.

Amenities + other activities

In addition to hot geothermally heated hot spring pools, Heise offers a variety of other onsite activities, including:

• Summer pools
• Campground
• Golf course
• Summer snack bar
• Pizza parlor
• Zipline

Accommodation

• Cains
• RV pitches
• Tent camping

Find Heise Hot Springs on the map

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