# Horseshoe Spring, Wyoming

Horseshoe Spring in Wyoming. 187°F (86°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Gallatin County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/horseshoe-spring-2
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Horseshoe Spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 187°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 | 187°F (86°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 3.6 (Acidic) |
| Elevation | 7,480 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.6 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, -110.71200 |
| 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 187°F, the source water at Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Spring

Horseshoe Spring is a scalding, acidic spring in Yellowstone National Park, a couple of miles from West Yellowstone as the record measures. A 2007 sample put the pH at 3.6, strongly acidic, with iron among the dissolved minerals. The water is 187 degrees. Park land, open to visit, nothing to touch.

Six tenths of a mile from the Grand Loop Road, so a walk, on high ground around 7,500 feet where a winter's snow is measured in yards. Precipitation for the year is a bit over two feet. Indian Creek Campground is eleven miles off.

Treat this as a sight. The water would burn and the chemistry would sting. Winter months lead on the record. Getting to a spring half a mile off a Yellowstone road in January is its own project. No fee is noted on the record.

## 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)
- [Cistern Spring, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/cistern-spring): 199°F source, pH 3.6, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [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
- [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
- [Gas Vent, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/gas-vent-1): Hot, pH 3.0, 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
- [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

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Horseshoe Spring?**
Horseshoe Spring has a water temperature of 187°F (86°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Horseshoe Spring located?**
Horseshoe Spring is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,480 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.7330°N, 110.7120°W.

**How do I get to Horseshoe Spring?**
Horseshoe Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Grand Loop Road (0.6 mi from the road).

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

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

**What minerals are in the water at Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Horseshoe Spring reaches 187°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