Can you swim in the Firehole River in Yellowstone?
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.
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That's why park visitors come to swim in the Firehole River swimming hole, where water temperatures hover at a moderate 75°F (23.8°C).
The hottest springs in the deepest part of the lake, at 125 m (410 ft) below the water, have a temperature of 174 °C (345 °F). Hot springs in the ocean are even deeper and under more water pressure and, therefore, they have temperatures of up to 400 °C (750 °F)!
No matter where you're swimming, avoiding water below 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a good rule of thumb for the average swimmer. The truth of the matter, though, is that 70 degrees is still pretty chilly. You'll probably have a better time if you wait for warmer water. In fact, you'll be safer, too.
Relax and unwind in Montana's newest hot springs experience – Yellowstone Hot Springs. We are located just eight miles north of the North entrance to Yellowstone Park, at the south end of beautiful Paradise Valley. Yellowstone Hot Springs is a soaking experience unique in the world.
So can you even swim in Yellowstone? The short answer is yes. The long answer is: it's pretty limited. Although there are many rivers, lakes, and springs in the park, it's very important to note that the vast majority of the waters are incredibly dangerous.
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.
The best months to visit Yellowstone are April, September, and October. These “off season” months provide more chances to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and enjoy thinner crowds. Bears emerge from hibernation between March and April, migrating birds arrive just before May, and the elk rut begins mid-September.
The third largest spring in the world, the Grand Prismatic is bigger than a football field at 370 feet in diameter. A gridiron is 360 feet long and 160 feet wide. The hot spring has bright bands of orange, yellow, and green ring the deep blue waters in the spring.
To view the Grand Prismatic Spring while in Yellowstone, head to the Midway Geyser Basin, about half-way between the Madison and Old Faithful regions of the park.