Chocolate Pots
Chocolate Pots flows at 124 degrees Fahrenheit along the Gibbon River, where iron concentrations exceeding 5,000 micrograms per liter create the distinctive rust-brown coloration of both the water and surrounding deposits. USGS measurements recorded 47.6-degree Celsius water with acidic pH of 5.8 at this roadside thermal feature located just 72 meters from the Grand Loop Road at 7,370 feet elevation.
The spring emerges in the Gibbon River valley within Yellowstone's western thermal zone, where open meadows border the river corridor and provide clear views of the iron-stained pools and outflow channels. The setting receives 26 inches of precipitation and 123 inches of snow annually, with lodgepole pine forest framing the valley margins and the Gallatin Mountains rising to the west.
The name references the dark brown iron oxide deposits that coat the spring's features, resembling melted chocolate in color and texture. The Gibbon drainage has been recognized for thermal activity since early park exploration, though specific documentation of the Chocolate Pots as a distinct named feature appears primarily in 20th-century survey catalogs and visitor guides.
Roadside access makes this one of Yellowstone's most easily viewed thermal features, requiring only a short walk from pullouts along the Grand Loop Road between Norris and Madison Junction. Visit year-round during periods when the road is open, though winter access requires oversnow vehicles or skiing. Indian Creek Campground, 19.6 kilometers south, offers reservable sites in a quieter setting away from major tourist corridors.
Is Chocolate Pots worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
The water at Chocolate Pots is slightly acidic (pH 5.8). It is notably rich in iron (iron-rich springs may support circulation).
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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...