Hot Springs On Bog Creek
This near-boiling spring emerges at 199 degrees Fahrenheit at 8,271 feet elevation in Yellowstone's remote backcountry, exceeding ambient air temperature by 167 degrees. Located 4.4 miles from Grand Loop Road, the spring requires significant hiking to reach in National Park Service-managed wilderness.
Bog Creek flows through high alpine terrain in the park's interior, where elevation exceeds 8,200 feet and steep topography defines the landscape. The setting receives 133 inches of snow annually alongside 27 inches of total precipitation, creating a harsh environment where average annual air temperature measures only 32.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Dense lodgepole pine forests transition to subalpine meadows at this elevation, with thermal features creating localized zones of bare ground and mineral deposits.
The spring's name derives from Bog Creek, which drains this thermal area in Gallatin County. Documentation of this specific feature appears in NOAA thermal spring surveys from the 1970s, though Indigenous peoples and early park explorers certainly encountered these waters. The spring remains in pristine condition under permanent National Park Service protection established when Yellowstone became the world's first national park in 1872.
Access requires a multi-mile backcountry hike from Grand Loop Road with significant elevation gain. Visit July through September when snow has melted sufficiently for safe passage. Carry bear spray, topographic maps, and layers for rapidly changing weather. Backcountry permit required. Tower Fall Campground sits 22 kilometers away as the nearest developed camping option.
Is Hot Springs On Bog Creek worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
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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...