Coffee Pot Hot Springs
Coffee Pot Hot Springs flows at 196 degrees Fahrenheit in remote backcountry at 8,398 feet elevation, making it one of Yellowstone's highest thermal features. Located 11.5 kilometers from the nearest road, this National Park Service-managed spring heats water 164 degrees above the site's 32-degree annual average temperature, where extreme winter conditions bring 136 inches of snow.
The spring emerges in high subalpine terrain in Yellowstone's northeast quadrant, where timberline forest thins and open meadows dominate at this elevation. The remote setting receives 27 inches of precipitation, with the majority falling as snow during prolonged winters. Thermal runoff creates isolated patches of ice-free ground and supports specialized vegetation year-round in an otherwise harsh alpine environment.
Historical documentation of this backcountry spring is sparse compared to roadside features. The name likely derives from early backcountry travelers who noted the bubbling, percolating action of the hot water. Access has remained limited throughout the park's history, with few visitors reaching this remote location even during peak summer months when backcountry travel is feasible.
Access requires a strenuous 11.5-kilometer hike from the Grand Loop Road with significant elevation gain. Obtain a backcountry permit from park rangers before attempting the journey. Summer months from July through September offer the only practical access window, as winter conditions make the route impassable. Carry overnight gear if planning to reach the spring, as round-trip day hiking is extremely demanding. Tower Fall Campground provides frontcountry base camping 16 kilometers from the trailhead.
Is Coffee Pot Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Backpacking adventures
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
- Day trips with young children
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Overview Tower Fall Campground—elevation 6,600 feet (2012 m)—is on the north side of the steep, winding, road to Dunraven Pass. The campground is near the Tower General Store and Tower Fall. The Lamar Valley, with spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities, is nearby as are several Day Hikes in the Tower and Northeast Area. Roosevelt Lodge, a short drive from the campground, offers dining and horseback riding. For reservations at the campgrounds managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (F...