# River Group, Wyoming

River Group in Wyoming. 196°F (91°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Gallatin County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/river-group-1
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at River Group?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 196°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 | 196°F (91°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 7,191 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.8 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Yellowstone National Park, National Park Service |
| County | Gallatin County |
| Nearest town | West Yellowstone |
| Coordinates | 44.55600, -110.83200 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | BIG SPRINGS GRP. AREA - ISLAND PARK, 21.3 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 196°F, the source water at River Group 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 River Group

River Group is a cluster of hot springs in Yellowstone, Gallatin County, roughly 0.8 miles from the nearest road. The record lists it near boiling, so this one is for looking at. The nearest town on the map is West Yellowstone. Park land, open to visitors. A second entry on this site carries the same name for a separate point nearby, with its own record.

The walk in is short, under a mile, though the record does not name the road it starts from. Elevation sits just under 7,200 feet. Snow on record is heavy at around thirteen feet a season, and this is one of the wetter spots in the park by the precipitation total on file. Park Service land, national park designation.

Near-boiling water; keep to the path and keep your distance from the edge. The record calls winter the best season, which only holds if you are on skis. Camping on record is the Big Springs group area in Island Park, Idaho, a bit over twenty miles away. No fee is listed. USGS has a site number for it.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Jackson](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/wyoming/jackson), 70 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Wyoming](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming)
- [River Group, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/river-group-2): 205°F source, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Springs On Fairy Creek, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/springs-on-fairy-creek): Hot, Hike, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Fountain Group, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/fountain-group): 201°F source, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Unnamed thermal spring, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/unnamed-spring-gallatin-county-2): 199°F source, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Fountain Paint Pot, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/fountain-paint-pot): 136°F source, Roadside, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Morning Mist Springs, WY](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/wyoming/morning-mist-springs): 205°F source, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at River Group?**
River Group has a water temperature of 196°F (91°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is River Group located?**
River Group is located in Gallatin County, Wyoming at 7,191 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.5560°N, 110.8320°W.

**How do I get to River Group?**
River Group has Short Walk road access (0.8 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near River Group?**
Yes, Big Springs Grp. Area   Island Park is located nearby (21.3 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at River Group?**
No, not at the source. The water at River Group reaches 196°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