Boiling River Hot Springs (Yellowstone National Park), Wyoming

It was literally free-flowing.

I was so excited about the massive amount of hot water, while I might be under the cold eyes of buffalos and elks.

Yellowstone National Park

Over ten thousand of thermal features can be seen in Yellowstone National Park.

Mammoth Hot Springs

If people build bathhouses by each spring, the United States would become one of the best countries for the use of hot springs.

Morning Glory Pool

Unfortunately, almost all thermal features are for viewing only.

Punch Bowl Spring

Even though they are not for soaking, hot springs enthusiasts will still have no time to spare going around to great spectacles.

Grand Prismatic Spring

There is an exception where is officially open to public for enjoying the water.

Excelsior Geyser

Boiling River Hot Springs

Gardiner, Montana is the northern entrance of Yellowstone.

It is less than ten minutes’ drive to south to get to the parking lot of Boiling River.

The state border is crossing right behind the signboard; hot springs are in the state of Wyoming.

Only ten minutes’ walk took me to the destination.

It was a nice trail; only my concern was an elk watching at me at close range.

I began excited as the white smoke got closer.

It was literally “boiling.”

The actual water temp is around 140 degrees F, so that it cannot be boiling, actually.

However massive amount of hot water gushing creates the turbulent waves.

The source of the springs is in the left bank of the Gardiner River, flowing to north.

The hot springs’ river goes along with it, and eventually joins together.

The confluence zone is for soakers.

Entering is allowed between 7 AM and 6 PM.

Clothing is required.

The boardwalk continues on the bank dividing the Gardiner River and hot springs’ river.

The quick water reminded me of attractions of an amusement park.

It was below freezing on that day.

I carefully stepped into the Gardiner River, which was cold enough to lose sensation.

Coldness made me mad to jump into the hot water.

Ouch!

Yeah…I knew it was 140 degrees F.

Between the extreme hotness and coldness, I found there were no such place that kept comfortable temperature for soaking.

Despite the unfavorable fact, I realized that I really enjoyed Yellowstone from my heart.

Summary