Highland Hot Springs

Gallatin County, Wyoming · Near West Yellowstone
44.6160°N, 110.6160°W · 8,181 ft
Hot 51°F air · Good soaking weather 8,181 ft Open Backcountry National Park Service Camping nearby (19.6 mi)

Highland Hot Springs sits deep in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park, six miles or so out from the Norris-Canyon Road, in Gallatin County, Wyoming. Hot is all the record says; nobody measured it. Nobody has sampled the water or photographed it. Nine miles out lies West Yellowstone, the closest town in the record. Park Service land with open access, and a long walk either way.

Location

Norris-Canyon Road ends up a bit over six miles away, and how you cover that ground is not written down anywhere. The elevation runs high, near 8,180 feet. Cold year round, and the snow stacks up to roughly a hundred and forty-five inches. This is National Park Service backcountry in Yellowstone.

No best months recorded. With this much snow, reachability depends on the park's backcountry rules and on the seasonal road status. Indian Creek Campground, a little under twenty miles out, is the camping nearest to it. The temperature has never been measured, so do not build a soak into the plan, and keep out of the water until you know what it is.

Monthly Climate
14°
Jan
16°
Feb
24°
Mar
29°
Apr
37°
May
48°
Jun
59°
Jul
58°
Aug
49°
Sep
33°
Oct
21°
Nov
12°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.7 in Annual Snow: 145.2 in
Current Conditions
51°F
N 0.0 mph 50% Good soaking weather
Labor Day 53° Low 41° Mostly Sunny 9% precip
Tuesday 55° Low 32° Sunny
Wednesday 61° Low 31° Sunny
Thursday 63° Low 36° Sunny
Friday 59° Low 39° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 11% precip
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Indian Creek Campground (Wy) 19.6 mi away

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...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
High Altitude Advisory 8,181 ft

At 8,181 feet, Highland Hot Springs is in high-altitude territory where the air is noticeably thinner. Soaking in hot water accelerates dehydration and can amplify altitude effects like headache and fatigue. UV radiation is roughly 33% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.

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Temperature
Hot
Warm Hot Boiling
Avg Air Temp 33°F
Access
Open
Road Access Backcountry
Nearest Road Norris-Canyon Road
Distance to Road 6.1 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency National Park Service
Designation National Park
Unit Yellowstone National Park
Manager National Park Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Highland Hot Springs?
Highland Hot Springs is classified as hot. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.
Where is Highland Hot Springs located?
Highland Hot Springs is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 8,181 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.6160°N, 110.6160°W.
How do I get to Highland Hot Springs?
Highland Hot Springs has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Norris-Canyon Road (6.1 mi from the road).
Is Highland Hot Springs free to visit?
Highland Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Highland Hot Springs?
Yes, Indian Creek Campground (Wy) is located nearby (19.6 miles away).