Amphitheater Springs
Amphitheater Springs reach 196°F in Yellowstone National Park's Norris Geyser Basin, one of Earth's most dynamic thermal areas. The springs sit at 7,540 feet elevation in Gallatin County, Montana (just across the park boundary from Wyoming), emerging 161.2 degrees warmer than the 34.8°F annual average air temperature. A 481-meter walk accesses these boiling features under National Park Service permanent protection.
Located in the Norris Geyser Basin, the springs occupy a barren thermal landscape where acidic waters (pH 6.0) and extreme temperatures prevent vegetation growth. At 7,540 feet elevation in Yellowstone's high volcanic plateau, the basin features steaming vents, colored mineral deposits, and constantly changing thermal activity driven by the underlying supervolcano's heat. Annual snowfall totals 138.2 inches while precipitation reaches 27.7 inches, blanketing the landscape in deep snow for six months yearly. Lodgepole pine forests surround the basin's margins, with bare thermal ground dominating the active zone where Amphitheater Springs emerges.
Norris Geyser Basin, including Amphitheater Springs, represents Yellowstone's oldest continuously active thermal area. The basin's documented thermal features have undergone constant change since park establishment in 1872, with new vents appearing and old springs ceasing flow as underground plumbing shifts. The name likely derives from the amphitheater-like terrain surrounding the spring complex. Indigenous peoples avoided building permanent settlements in active thermal areas, though evidence suggests they traveled through the region seasonally.
Visit from late May through October when park roads are open; winter access requires snowcoach or snowmobile tours. The 481-meter boardwalk walk protects both visitors and fragile thermal formations; remain on designated paths. Indian Creek Campground 10.0 km away offers quieter, more primitive camping than busier park locations. Water at 196°F is dangerously hot; maintain safe distances from all thermal features. Expect subfreezing nights even in summer at this elevation.
Is Amphitheater Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Amphitheater Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.0).
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Overview Located about eight miles (13 km) south of Mammoth Hot Springs on the road to Norris, Indian Creek Campground—elevation 7,300 feet (2225 m)—sits near the base of the Gallatin Mountains and offers breathtaking views of Electric Peak. The area offers easy access to fishing and hiking. The campground is away from the main road and provides a quieter, more primitive, experience than many other locations. For reservations at the campgrounds managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Fi...