Mammoth Hot Springs
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Mammoth Hot Springs is a vast terraced landscape of travertine formed where geothermally heated water rises through limestone at Yellowstone's north entrance. The mineral-rich water deposits…
What it's like here
Mammoth Hot Springs is a vast terraced landscape of travertine formed where geothermally heated water rises through limestone at Yellowstone's north entrance. The mineral-rich water deposits calcium carbonate as it cools, building bright white and ochre stepped hillsides that shift and change visibly year to year. Springs here die off and restart elsewhere on a timescale of months, so what was a brilliant white terrace one season can turn dry and grey the next—that flux is what makes the place genuinely unusual.
Unlike Yellowstone's geyser basins to the south, which sit on different geology, Mammoth's limestone bedrock creates this distinctive stepped architecture. Boardwalks thread between the active terraces, passing through sections that are steaming and actively depositing minerals, and others that have gone dormant. Canary Spring is usually the most visibly active and colourful, while Minerva Terrace and Palette Spring anchor the lower sections. Above the main terraces, Upper Terrace Drive loops through the landscape on a road, offering wider views of the formation.
Below the terraces sit the historic Fort Yellowstone buildings, now the park's administrative headquarters. Elk commonly graze the surrounding meadows and village lawns, particularly in autumn, entirely indifferent to visitors—a reminder of the place's genuinely wild context. The Albright Visitor Center sits nearby, and basic facilities, lodging and dining are available at Mammoth Hot Springs village.
Visitors should expect significant stairs on the Lower Terrace boardwalks; the route takes 1–2 hours for a thorough walk. Much of this section is accessible to wheelchairs, though the upper sections are not. The ground around the springs is thin and unstable, and the water is scalding—people are seriously injured every year stepping off the boardwalks, so staying on the marked routes is not optional. Upper Terrace Drive closes to vehicles in winter, though the terraces themselves remain open 24 hours year-round. Elk are wild and unpredictable, especially during the autumn rut and spring calving; keep at least 25 yards clear. The terraces attract photographers and nature enthusiasts, families, couples and solo visitors—there is something to see at different times of day, from morning light to sunset, though the site has no specific viewing season and works equally well in summer or winter.
Highlights
- The Lower Terraces boardwalk system with Palette Spring and Minerva Terrace
- Canary Spring, usually the most active and colourful area
- Upper Terrace Drive, a loop road with wider views above the main formations
- Liberty Cap, an 11-metre dormant hot spring cone
- Elk herds grazing the village meadows and historic Fort Yellowstone buildings
Good to know
Yellowstone charges a park entrance fee at the gate; the north entrance at Gardiner is the only one open to vehicles year-round. The terraces are free to visit within the park and open 24 hours. Stay strictly on boardwalks—the ground is thin, the water is scalding, and injuries occur regularly. Upper Terrace Drive closes to vehicles in winter and has length restrictions. Allow 1–2 hours for the boardwalks; the Lower Terraces involve many stairs, though parts are wheelchair-accessible. Elk are wild and dangerous, especially during autumn rut and spring calving—maintain 25 yards distance. Facilities, lodging and dining are at Mammoth Hot Springs village below.
You might also like
.avif)
Questions people ask
Why do the terraces look different from photos I've seen?
The terraces change noticeably over time. Springs shut off and reopen elsewhere within months, so a bright white terrace one year can turn dry and grey the next.
Can I get in the water?
No. The water is scalding and the ground around it is unstable. Stay on the boardwalks at all times.
Is Mammoth Hot Springs open in winter?
Yes. The north entrance to Yellowstone stays open to vehicles year-round, though Upper Terrace Drive closes to vehicles during winter months. The terraces and boardwalks remain accessible.
Attributes & facilities
Experience
Features
Accessibility
Time
Last verified: September 7, 2026