# Cistern Spring, Wyoming

Cistern Spring in Wyoming. 199°F (93°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Gallatin County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/cistern-spring
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Cistern Spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 199°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on National Park Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 199°F (93°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 3.6 (Acidic) |
| Elevation | 7,480 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.3 mi from the nearest road (Grand Loop Road) |
| Land | Yellowstone National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Gallatin County |
| Nearest town | West Yellowstone |
| Coordinates | 44.73300, -110.70300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Indian Creek Campground (WY), 10.7 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 199°F, the source water at Cistern Spring is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Cistern Spring

Cistern Spring is a near-boiling spring in Yellowstone National Park whose water is strongly acidic. West Yellowstone is the nearest town listed. Park Service ground, access open. Photo on file.

Grand Loop Road is the nearest road, about a third of a mile away. High, cold, snowy. Indian Creek Campground is the nearest camping, around eleven miles.

The USGS keeps a site here; its July 2007 sample recorded iron along with the dissolved minerals.

Winter months rate best on record. The water scalds and the acid on file is strong enough to matter. Stay on park-sanctioned ground. No fee listed. Sampled July 2007.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 2007-07-13 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 3.6 |
| Calcium | 2.24 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.07 mg/L |
| Sodium | 303 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 69.9 mg/L |
| Chloride | 532 mg/L |
| Iron | 410 µg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Cody](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/wyoming/cody), 76 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Wyoming](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming)
- [Unnamed thermal spring, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/unnamed-spring-gallatin-county-3): 192°F source, pH 7.2, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Horseshoe Spring, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/horseshoe-spring-2): 187°F source, pH 3.6, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Gas Vent, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/gas-vent-1): Hot, pH 3.0, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Echinus Geyser, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/echinus-geyser): 185°F source, pH 3.4, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/unnamed-spring-gallatin-county-4): 201°F source, pH 4.5, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/unnamed-spring-gallatin-county-5): 144°F source, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Cistern Spring?**
Cistern Spring has a water temperature of 199°F (93°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Cistern Spring located?**
Cistern Spring is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,480 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.7330°N, 110.7030°W.

**How do I get to Cistern Spring?**
Cistern Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Grand Loop Road (0.3 mi from the road).

**Is Cistern Spring free to visit?**
Cistern Spring has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.

**Can I camp near Cistern Spring?**
Yes, Indian Creek Campground (Wy) is located nearby (10.7 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Cistern Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 3.6 (acidic).

**Is it safe to soak at Cistern Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Cistern Spring reaches 199°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals