Located in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, the Mammoth Hot Springs are a collection of hydrothermal features which have created enormous and intricate natural sculptures. With temperatures up to 163'F the mineral-rich hot springs have, over the centuries, created numerous 'terraces' colored by heat-loving microorganisms in hues of orange, yellow, green, and brown. The springs are also highly changeable, with some going dormant and some becoming active almost yearly. You really never know what you'll see. An extensive network of boardwalks allows visitors to explore the terraces, which are designated in three levels: Lower, Main, and Upper. This album follows our quick walk through of the hot springs, covering all three terrace levels and visiting most of the features seen along them. I've utilized the NPS Trail Guide to caption many of the photos as it does a better job of explaining what you're seeing than I could.

Mammoth Hot Springs was another incredibly beautiful and fascinating stop on our multi-day tour of Yellowstone National Park. There's good reason that Mammoth is one of the busier attractions to be found there. Don't let the inevitable crowds deter you, the Mammoth Hot Springs are a wonder of nature you won't want to miss. With that I now invite you on a quick tour through yet another of Yellowstone's natural wonders...and, as always, I hope you ENJOY!!

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 44.973880, -110.704365

Location: Northwestern Yellowstone

Hike Length: 2.3 miles

Hike Duration: 2:00

Elevation: 6,300'-6,600'

Hot Springs: Angel Terrace, Canary Spring, Cupid Spring, Grassy Spring, Jupiter & Mound Terraces, Minerva Terrace, New Blue Spring, New Highland Terrace, Palette Spring

Yellowstone National Park - Mammoth Hot Springs (4-19-20)

Horace M. Albright Visitor Center
The visitor center at Mammoth Hot Springs is located in one of the historic former barracks of old Fort Yellowstone. The structure was constructed in 1909 and housed bachelor cavalry officers who patrolled the park...
Liberty Cap (A Hot Spring Cone)
"The 37-foot Liberty Cap was created by a hot spring that was active in one location for a long time. Its internal pressure was sufficient to raise the water to a great height, allowing mineral deposits to build slowly and continuously for perhaps hundreds of years." -- NPS Trail Guide
Palette Spring & Devils Thumb
"Water flows in crisscrossing patterns down a steep ridge where colorful thermophiles create a changing palette dominated by hues of orange and brown. This effect is much the same as an artist would achieve by allowing watercolors to run down a vertical surface." -- NPS Trail Guide
Palette Spring & Devils Thumb
"Water flows in crisscrossing patterns down a steep ridge where colorful thermophiles create a changing palette dominated by hues of orange and brown. This effect is much the same as an artist would achieve by allowing watercolors to run down a vertical surface." -- NPS Trail Guide
Minerva Terrace (Lower)
"Activity shifts dramatically around this terrace. The cascades of travertine beside the boardwalks were formed in the 1990's. Some years, they are dry. Whatever its level of activity, you can see why Minerva Terrace was named for the Roman goddess of artists and sculptors. Its ornate travertine formations create the look of layer cakes and lace-edged pools. In the dry areas, you can clearly see the many layers and the varying depths." -- NPS Trail Guide
Minerva Terrace (Lower)
"Activity shifts dramatically around this terrace. The cascades of travertine beside the boardwalks were formed in the 1990's. Some years, they are dry. Whatever its level of activity, you can see why Minerva Terrace was named for the Roman goddess of artists and sculptors. Its ornate travertine formations create the look of layer cakes and lace-edged pools. In the dry areas, you can clearly see the many layers and the varying depths." -- NPS Trail Guide
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Looking up towards the Main Terrace from the boardwalk along the Lower Terrace near Palette Spring...
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Looking back towards Mammoth Hot Springs as we climb from the Lower to the Middle Terrace...
Minerva Terrace
"Activity shifts dramatically around this terrace. The cascades of travertine beside the boardwalks were formed in the 1990's. Some years, they are dry. Whatever its level of activity, you can see why Minerva Terrace was named for the Roman goddess of artists and sculptors. Its ornate travertine formations create the look of layer cakes and lace-edged pools. In the dry areas, you can clearly see the many layers and the varying depths." -- NPS Trail Guide
Minerva Terrace
"Activity shifts dramatically around this terrace. The cascades of travertine beside the boardwalks were formed in the 1990's. Some years, they are dry. Whatever its level of activity, you can see why Minerva Terrace was named for the Roman goddess of artists and sculptors. Its ornate travertine formations create the look of layer cakes and lace-edged pools. In the dry areas, you can clearly see the many layers and the varying depths." -- NPS Trail Guide
Jupiter & Mound Terrace
"These terraces display cycles of activity typical of Mammoth Hot Springs. In 1937, Mound Terrace was called 'the most beautifully colored spring.' Inactive for decades, its weathered travertine shows new patterns where chunks of the soft rock have broken or fallen. Recently, Mound Terrace began flowing again. In the 1980's, Jupiter Terrace flowed heavily and overtook boardwalks several times." -- NPS Trail Guide
Jupiter & Mound Terrace
"These terraces display cycles of activity typical of Mammoth Hot Springs. In 1937, Mound Terrace was called 'the most beautifully colored spring.' Inactive for decades, its weathered travertine shows new patterns where chunks of the soft rock have broken or fallen. Recently, Mound Terrace began flowing again. In the 1980's, Jupiter Terrace flowed heavily and overtook boardwalks several times." -- NPS Trail Guide
Mound Spring
"These terraces display cycles of activity typical of Mammoth Hot Springs. In 1937, Mound Terrace was called 'the most beautifully colored spring.' Inactive for decades, its weathered travertine shows new patterns where chunks of the soft rock have broken or fallen. Recently, Mound Terrace began flowing again. In the 1980's, Jupiter Terrace flowed heavily and overtook boardwalks several times." -- NPS Trail Guide
Mound Spring
"These terraces display cycles of activity typical of Mammoth Hot Springs. In 1937, Mound Terrace was called 'the most beautifully colored spring.' Inactive for decades, its weathered travertine shows new patterns where chunks of the soft rock have broken or fallen. Recently, Mound Terrace began flowing again. In the 1980's, Jupiter Terrace flowed heavily and overtook boardwalks several times." -- NPS Trail Guide
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Climbing from the Middle to Upper Terrace there were beautiful views to enjoy to the east of Mount Everts (7,842')...
New Blue Spring
"One of the best examples of the area's dynamic character, New Blue Spring shifts activity frequently and can become active or inactive several times in one year." -- NPS Trail Guide
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
The view of Mammoth Hot Springs and the Montana mountains beyond from the Upper Terrace...
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Looking across to Mount Everts (7,842') again, with Mound Spring visible below...
New Highland Terrace
"Tree skeletons stand as monuments to a landscape created from the 1950's-1980's, when New Highland was very active. In 2011, this spring resumed some activity." -- NPS Trail Guide
Angel Terrace
"The dramatic presence of this feature comes from abundant water, white formations, and colorful thermophiles that thrive in hot water. Angel Terrace was dry and crumbling for decades, but resumed activity in 1985." -- NPS Trail Guide
Angel Terrace
"The dramatic presence of this feature comes from abundant water, white formations, and colorful thermophiles that thrive in hot water. Angel Terrace was dry and crumbling for decades, but resumed activity in 1985." -- NPS Trail Guide
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Tree skeletons are a common sight along the boardwalks and trails here...
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Tiny, delicate formations can be seen everywhere...particularly in the shallow pools surrounding the hot springs...
Canary Spring
"You will likely find flowing hot water, new travertine formations, and shade as you walk alongside Canary Spring. Imagine you were here in the 1800's, a time when yellow filamentous bacteria was prominent. Today, the spring exhibits the orange, brown, and green seen in other hot springs of the area. Occasionally, the spring goes dormant for brief periods of time and vibrant pinks and neon greens can also be seen." -- NPS Trail Guide
Terraces below Canary Spring
"You will likely find flowing hot water, new travertine formations, and shade as you walk alongside Canary Spring. Imagine you were here in the 1800's, a time when yellow filamentous bacteria was prominent. Today, the spring exhibits the orange, brown, and green seen in other hot springs of the area. Occasionally, the spring goes dormant for brief periods of time and vibrant pinks and neon greens can also be seen." -- NPS Trail Guide
Terraces below Canary Spring
"You will likely find flowing hot water, new travertine formations, and shade as you walk alongside Canary Spring. Imagine you were here in the 1800's, a time when yellow filamentous bacteria was prominent. Today, the spring exhibits the orange, brown, and green seen in other hot springs of the area. Occasionally, the spring goes dormant for brief periods of time and vibrant pinks and neon greens can also be seen." -- NPS Trail Guide
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Mountain views from the Upper Terrace...
Grassy Spring
Just above Canary Spring was Grassy Spring, which was showing off some brilliant oranges and greens...
Cupid Spring
Adjacent to Grassy Spring, our guidebook failed to explain just how Cupid Spring got its name. Regardless, it was yet another beautiful formation...
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
A panorama from one of the overlooks above the Main Terrace. Across the valley is Mount Everts (7,842') with the town of Mammoth Hot Springs to the left...
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
A colorful little hot spring seen as we finish up our time by descending from the Upper Terrace. Mammoth Hot Springs had been yet another fascinating and beautiful stop in our multi-day tour of Yellowstone.

dwhike

Yellowstone National Park - Mammoth Hot Springs

Yellowstone National Park - Mammoth Hot Springs (4-19-20)