Bear Creek Springs
Bear Creek Springs discharges at 72°F -- only 31 degrees above ambient -- within Gallatin National Forest at 5,423 feet elevation. Classified as a warm spring rather than a true hot spring, it sits on federal land with open public access and requires a short walk of roughly 1,160 meters from Blanding Road.
The spring emerges in the upper Bear Creek drainage of Gallatin County, surrounded by dense conifer forest typical of the northern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. At this elevation, the landscape transitions between lodgepole pine stands and subalpine meadow. Annual snowfall exceeds 111 inches, blanketing the terrain from late October through May. West Yellowstone, the nearest town, lies in the broad Madison Plateau to the west. The Clark Fork of the Yellowstone River carves through nearby canyon terrain.
Visit between late June and mid-October when forest roads are reliably passable. The 1,162-meter walk from Blanding Road crosses unimproved terrain -- sturdy footwear and basic navigation skills are recommended. Eagle Creek Campground, 1.6 km away, accepts reservations and accommodates RVs up to 48 feet. Winter access requires snowshoes or skis. Carry drinking water; the thermal water is untreated.
Documentation on Bear Creek Springs is limited. The spring appears in the 1980 NOAA/NCEI thermal springs inventory as one of several low-temperature geothermal features in the Gallatin Range. No record of commercial development or resort use exists. The area remains under Forest Service management with protection status 3, allowing traditional extractive uses such as timber harvest while preserving the spring for public access.
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Overview Eagle Creek Campground is located 2 miles northeast of the town of Gardiner on Jardine Road and approximately 55 miles south of the city of Livingston along scenic HWY 89 S. At an elevation of 6100 feet, the campground overlooks Yellowstone National Park's majestic peaks. This 20-site campground has gravel roads with unpaved sites that accommodate a maximum of 48’ RVs. The Yellowstone River Trailhead is also located within this campground. Vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables,...
Bear Creek Springs sits at 5,423 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Bear Creek Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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