Are there any swimmable hot springs in Yellowstone?
The Boiling River is one of only a few hot springs in Yellowstone National Park for swimming.
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There are no outdoor soaking opportunities in the park.However, Bathhouse Row does have 2 available facilities that offer visitors the chance to fully submerge and relax in the thermal water.
The Boiling River is one of very few legal swimming and soaking locations in Yellowstone National Park- but it still requires plenty of caution and care. Located where the Gardner River meets the Boiling River Hot Spring, the Boiling River is safe enough to swim in.
But Yellowstone's thermal features don't flow cold water like you're used to. Don't touch any water in or around thermal features. Never swim, soak, or wade in thermal features. More than 20 people have died from intentionally entering or falling into hot springs.
But Yellowstone's thermal features don't flow cold water like you're used to. Don't touch any water in or around thermal features. Never swim, soak, or wade in thermal features. More than 20 people have died from intentionally entering or falling into hot springs.
Swimming is only permitted during designated hours. The Firehole Swim area is closed at night. Bathing suits are required. No food, drink, or alcohol allowed.
Then, with the work of Mother Nature, the Boiling River ceased to exist as we know it as historic flooding in 2022 destroyed the area. Before and after photos show the area where the Boiling River sat is now a rocky area as the floods changed the river channel.
Due to high spring water levels, the swimming area isn't usually open until the middle of summer and closes before winter. Some years, the snow runoff and currents are too aggressive and cause the site to stay closed for the entire normally-open season.
Hot Springs National Park is a fee-free park! There is no entrance free nor are there any additional charges for the park's brochure, junior ranger program, or ranger-led tours. The park does have certain America the Beautiful Passes available at the Fordyce Bathhouse.
If you do any hiking or camping in Yellowstone, you SHOULD bring bear spray. Generally, you don't need bear spray when visiting the popular and crowded geyser areas and villages, such as Old Faithful and Canyon Village.
In October 2021, a 20-year-old woman suffered second-degree burns after she rushed into a hot spring at Yellowstone while trying to rescue her dog. The hot spring that she entered, Maiden's Grave Spring, has an average temperature of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, per the NPS.
The only campgrounds inside Yellowstone Park that have shower facilities on-site are Grant, Fishing Bridge, and Canyon. Anyone can pay to utilize them. Last year, I believe the cost of about $3.75 per shower. You can also purchase showers at Mammoth Hotel, Old Faithful Inn, and Roosevelt Lodge.
It's best not to eat before bathing in the onsen, but you need to drink a lot of water before and after your onsen bath. Keep your bath to a minimum. Staying too long may cause dehydration. While an onsen is relaxing and beneficial to your health, it's generally not a good idea to enter more than three times a day.