Yellowstone National Park: Mammoth Hot Springs
Explore the otherworldly landscape of Mammoth Hot Springs on this easy, 1.7-mile boardwalk loop in northern reaches of Yellowstone National Park.
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Tour the spectacular geothermal features of Mammoth Hot Springs on this 1.7-mile hike past hot springs, thermal pools and terrace structures. Although Yellowstone National Park is home to half the world’s known geothermal features and has the world’s largest concentration of geysers, Mammoth Hot Springs is especially unique. The water in this area ascends through ancient limestone deposits rather than the lava flows common in other parts of the park. The result: A wonderland of otherworldly-looking features unique to Yellowstone National Park.
Starting from the Mammoth Terraces Boardwalk, head north for 0.4 mile before reaching the constantly-changing Main Terrace. This feature is characterized by eerily-stunted trees, countless travertine cascades, and clouds of steamy vapors filtering the view of Mount Everts in the background.
Next, pass New Blue Spring, Cleopatra Terrace, and Palette Springs as you continue your boardwalk loop. Vividly colored by the heat-loving bacteria living in and around them, these features serve as appetizers for one of Mammoth’s most popular attractions, the multi-tiered Minerva Terrace. Plunging down 30 feet of intricate travertine steps, this feature is constantly growing, thanks to the 500 gallons of mineral-rich water that flows from it each minute.
Continuing your loop, you’ll pass the Mound Terrace—another magnificent structure—as you head toward the hike’s grand finale: a breathtaking vista of the Main Terrace spilling over the edge of a plateau with views of the Gardner River Canyon and Snow Mountains in the distance. Spend some time here and take in the scene before heading back to Waypoint 11 and turning left to return to the trailhead.
MORE PARK INFO: Yellowstone National Park, (307) 344-7381; nps.gov/yell/.
-Mapped by Jeff Chow
Trail Facts
- Distance: 2.7
Waypoints
MAM001
Location: 44.9650959, -110.7080269
From the parking lot, head north through a bubbling, vaporous landscape on the Mammoth Terraces Trail.
MAM002
Location: 44.9672156, -110.7067461
Head left at the Y-junction.
MAM003
Location: 44.9679519, -110.7074636
Pass a trail on the right: The once-vibrant spring the trail leads to is now dormant.
MAM004
Location: 44.968455, -110.707312
Main Terrace: This plateau-like terrace is comprised of white travertine (a sedimentary rock that forms when calcium bicarbonate is deposited by mineral or hot springs). Because of the unstable nature of the area, the Main Terrace may appear different from one visit to the next.
MAM005
Location: 44.968902, -110.707496
New Blue Spring: An expansive travertine structure with several pools fed by one active pool in the middle. With Mount Everts looming in the background, the New Blue Springs provides postcard-like vistas.
MAM006
Location: 44.970147, -110.70638
To the left, take in views of what is now known as Cleopatra Terrace (the nearby original Cleopatra Terrace is now called Minerva Springs). This active hot spring owes its eye-catching white and orange hues to millions of tiny bacteria.
MAM007
Location: 44.971988, -110.705817
The aptly-named Palette Spring spouts steaming water down a terraced slope painted in vivid shades of green, brown, and orange.
MAM008
Location: 44.970806, -110.7048941
Widely considered to be one of the more dazzling displays of Mammoth Hot Springs, the multi-tiered Minerva Terrace features 30 feet of intricate travertine steps. When active, travertine accumulates at a rate of 8.5 inches per year. The terrace run-off channels sport a rainbow-like display of reds, yellows, oranges and greens.
MAM009
Location: 44.9706162, -110.7043254
Turn right to head west at the Y-junction.
MAM010
Location: 44.9701361, -110.704599
Pass by the monumental Mound Terrace, which frames the Main Terrace like the walls of a castle. At the Y-junction, turn right to head west.
MAM011
Location: 44.9701266, -110.7063492
Bear left and head south at the Y-junction.
MAM011
Location: 44.9671948, -110.7067153
Take the short spur to the left for a incredible views of the Main Terrace and Gardner River Canyon.
MAM012
Location: 44.966808, -110.705185
At the end of the boardwalk, catch awe-inspiring views of the Main Terrace cascading into the valley below. The Gardner River Canyon to the east and the Gallatin National Forest and Snow Mountains to the north form the backdrop. To return to the trailhead, retrace your steps back to Waypoint 11 and turn left.
Standing Symbols Of Change
Location: 44.967213, -110.706723
Trees suffocate as calcium carbonate released from the springs slowly builds around their trunks and clogs their roots.
Terraces
Location: 44.967229, -110.706823
Glimpse of the edges of Main Terrace.
Keep Off!
Location: 44.970563, -110.706606
What appears to be solid ground in active and frequently changing thermal areas may only be a thin crust covering the springs’ scalding waters. Exercise caution and observe all warning signs.
Terraces at Sunset
Location: 44.970637, -110.706755
Cleopatra Terrace
Location: 44.970637, -110.706755
The terrace gets its colors from the microbes and bacteria that populate the stream.
Minerva Terrace
Location: 44.971861, -110.70561
Comprised of countless tinier terraces, Minerva Terrace is one of the most popular attractions in the park.
Minerva Terrace Panorama
Location: 44.971861, -110.70561
Because the terraces grow so rapidly, the terrain seen today differs drastically than the terrain seen in generations past.
Sunset over Lower Terrace
Location: 44.971149, -110.704825
Take in northern panoramas of the Lower Terrace, the outpost of Mammoth, and the far-off Elk Plaza plateau.
Mound Terrace
Location: 44.9704037, -110.7046956
In dry times, imagine these rounded hills of calcium carbonate alive with colorful microbes and steaming water from hot springs above.
