# Rainbow Springs, Wyoming

Rainbow Springs in Wyoming. 190°F (88°C). Backcountry · Public Land. Gallatin County.

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

## Can you soak at Rainbow Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 190°F, hot enough to burn skin. It sits deep in the backcountry. It's on National Park Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 190°F (88°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 8,115 ft |
| Access | Backcountry · Public Land, 7.7 mi from the nearest road (Northeast Entrance Road) |
| Land | Yellowstone National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Gallatin County |
| Nearest town | West Yellowstone |
| Coordinates | 44.76900, -110.26900 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Tower Fall Campground, 10.2 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 190°F, the source water at Rainbow Springs 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 Rainbow Springs

Rainbow Springs is a backcountry hot spring in the northeast part of Yellowstone, nearly eight miles from the Northeast Entrance Road. Scalding on record. High ground, above eight thousand feet. West Yellowstone is the town on file as nearest, though the park's northeast entrance is the road that matters. Open, Park Service land.

Seven point seven miles from the Northeast Entrance Road, all of it backcountry. High elevation, so the season is short and the nights cold. Snowfall on record runs around eleven feet, and the annual average temperature barely clears freezing. Yellowstone National Park, no other designation on file.

Backcountry permits are standard in the park; ask before you go. December through February are flagged as the best months on record, which at this depth of snow means ski or snowshoe travel over many miles. The water is scalding. Tower Fall Campground is about ten miles from the spring, the nearest camp on file. Fee not listed.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Cody](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/wyoming/cody), 56 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Wyoming](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming)
- [Hot Spring, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/hot-spring-gallatin-county-1): Hot, Backcountry, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Hot Springs, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/hot-springs-gallatin-county-3): Hot, Backcountry, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Coffee Pot Hot Springs, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/coffee-pot-hot-springs): 196°F source, Backcountry, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Hot Spring Basin Group, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/hot-spring-basin-group-2): 153°F source, Backcountry, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Hot Spring Basin Group, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/hot-spring-basin-group-1): 198°F source, Backcountry, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Josephs Coat Springs, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/josephs-coat-springs): 199°F source, Backcountry, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Rainbow Springs?**
Rainbow Springs has a water temperature of 190°F (88°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Rainbow Springs located?**
Rainbow Springs is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 8,115 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.7690°N, 110.2690°W.

**How do I get to Rainbow Springs?**
Rainbow Springs has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Northeast Entrance Road (7.7 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Rainbow Springs?**
Yes, Tower Fall Campground is located nearby (10.2 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Rainbow Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Rainbow Springs reaches 190°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