Can you swim in Yellowstone?

Yellowstone National Park isn't exactly known for its swimming holes. Due to the thermal activity in the park, most rivers and lakes in Yellowstone are closed to swimmers. However, if you're up for an adventure, the park has opened up a few alluring areas to the public.



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A hole in the ground fifty-three feet deep, Abyss Pool is one of the deepest pools in Yellowstone National Park. It may look like an inviting place for a swim, but at temperatures reaching 180 degrees Fahrenheit you'd best keep your toes out of this water.

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The river is usually closed to swimming until mid-summer due to high water and strong currents. During years with significant snowpack and runoff, the swim area may remain closed for the entire season.

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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.

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The world's most famous geyser, Old Faithful in Yellowstone, currently erupts around 20 times a day. These eruptions are predicted with a 90 percent confidence rate, within a 10 minute variation, based on the duration and height of the previous eruption.

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With an estimated 10,000 hydrothermal features, Yellowstone is a veritable treasure trove of geothermal wonders. The majority of these 10,000 features are hot springs, each one more breathtaking than the last. With literally thousands of hot springs in the park, which ones are the most iconic?

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This is a remarkable accumulation of buffalo bones on the floor of a hot spring in the River Group of Yellowstone's Lower Geyser Basin. The object at center is the skull of an American buffalo (Bison bison).

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Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature. Keep your children close and don't let them run. Animals that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and have to be killed. Keep all food, garbage, or other smelly items packed away when not in use.

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By locating these tremor signals, the fluid pathway of Old Faithful geyser down to a depth of ~260 feet (80 meters) is illuminated.

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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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