Located in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, the Mammoth Hot Springs area is open year-round. Due to its lower elevation, the roads are easier to keep open and it is accessible through the North Entrance. With close proximity to Bozeman, Montana, and its large airport, many visitors use the North Entrance. Home to Mammoth Hot Springs and Fort Yellowstone, this area is a must for a Yellowstone National Park trip. From its visitor center to the hot springs, here are the top things to see at Mammoth Hot Springs.
Yellowstone At a Glance
| Year Established: 1872 |
| Located: Northwestern Wyoming, Idaho and Southern Montana |
| Size: about 3,471 square miles |
| Top Features: Geothermal Geysers, Wildlife Viewing and Historic National Park Lodges |
Top Things to See at Mammoth Hot Springs
- Visit the Albright Visitor Center
- Walk the boardwalks of Mammoth Hot Springs
- See Liberty Cap
- Hike to Palette Spring
- See Opal Terrace
- Drive the scenic loop of the Upper Terraces
- Walk through Historic Fort Yellowstone
- Walk through the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel’s Map Room
- Spot Some Elk
Should You Visit Yellowstone in the Fall?
I’ve been to over 100 National Park Service sites over the years, and Yellowstone is still my favorite. Early Fall is an excellent time to visit.
However, keep in mind that some of the lodging and services close on Labor Day Weekend, right after the summer season ends. For wildlife viewing, fall is particularly active as many species enter a mating season.
Visit the Albright Visitor Center
Named after the second Director of the National Park Service, Horace Albright, this visitor center was once the 1909 bachelor officers’ quarters. It underwent a renovation and its interpretive area focuses on the wildlife of Yellowstone.
Visitors will find restrooms, water bottle fillers and a bookstore. The rangers are available for questions and hand out maps and Junior Ranger booklets. Fishing permits are also available at the Albright Visitor Center.
Located at Grand Loop Road and Parade Grounds Road. Open daily from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free to enter.
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Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
One of the top things to see at Mammoth Hot Springs is the most protected travertine-depositing hot springs in the world. Best of all, visitors can explore the terraced hot springs to see all the hot water action.
Visitors can climb the different levels of the terraced limestone through a series of boardwalks and overlooks. Starting either at the top (accessible by car) or the bottom, visitors can hike the Mammoth Hot Spring Trail.
Divided into the Upper and Lower Terraces, the boardwalk features a series of stairs to view all the limestone features. There is one trailhead for the Upper Terraces and three trailheads for the Lower Terraces.
Runoff water seeps into the fractures in the ground, where it is heated by a volcanic source. It then bubbles back up to the surface at Mammoth Hot Springs, depositing limestone as travertine.
Like many of Yellowstone’s geothermal areas, the water is hot (over 160F) and visitors need to stay on boardwalks. Visitors need to practice Leave No Trace principles and refrain from throwing anything into Mammoth Hot Springs.
Top Features of Mammoth Hot Springs
- Liberty Cap
- Devils Thumb
- Palette Spring and Terrace
- Minerva Spring and Terrace
- New Blue Spring
- Highland Terrace
- Canary Spring
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Best Hiking at Mammoth Hot Springs
Palette Spring
An add-on to the Mammoth Hot Springs Trail, it’s a .3-mile in-and-out trail with a 29-foot elevation gain. Find the trailhead along Grand Loop Road and its parking lots, and it’s the same area as the trailhead for Beaver Ponds Loop.
Opal Terrace
Located basically in the backyard of a historic 1908 house designed by Robert Reamer. It is located across the street from Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace.
Mammoth Terraces
If you hike the entire Mammoth Terraces Loop, it’s a 2.2-mile boardwalk with a 324-foot elevation gain, via stairs. It offers several trailheads along Grand Loop Road in the Mammoth Hot Springs Road.
Beaver Ponds Loop
It’s a moderate 5.5-mile loop with a 764-foot elevation gain. Find the trailhead at Grand Loop Road and its parking lots near Palette Spring Trailhead.
Bunsen Peak
This is a moderate peak hike closest to Mammoth Hot Springs. It is named after the inventor of the Bunsen Burner, who also studied geysers. It’s a 4.4-mile in-and-out trail with a 1,282-foot elevation gain.
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Scenic Drives at Mammoth Hot Springs
Upper Terrace Drive
This 1.5-mile one-way drive winds through the features of the upper terrace. It is a great alternative for those who don’t want to hike the boardwalks on Mammoth Hot Springs.
Fort Yellowstone
As the park’s headquarters, this area offers more than the Mammoth Hot Springs. In Yellowstone National Park’s first few decades, the U.S. Army patrolled the park, securing it from poachers and rogue campgrounds.
The U.S. Army was stationed at Yellowstone National Park for 32 years. In 1891, the U.S. Army constructed Fort Yellowstone.
From the 1890s to the early 1900s, 35 structures remain from the U.S. Army occupation. It is a National Historic Landmark District and the buildings still sport their red clay roofs.
For travelers interested in touring Fort Yellowstone, walk up Officers Row Road. Many of the buildings are in use, so stay on the street.
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Top Things to See in Fort Yellowstone
- Parade Ground
- Batchelor Officers’ Quarter (Albright Visitor Center)
- Captains’ Quarters
- Double Officers’ Quarters
- Double Calvary Barracks (Yellowstone Administration Building)
Wildlife in Mammoth Hot Springs
Who doesn’t love a luxurious grass lawn? The park’s elk frequently munch on grass in front of the hotel and visitor center. When not wandering the streets of Fort Yellowstone, the elk retreat to the bluffs above the Mammoth Hot Springs.
Since the National Park Service considers the grass an historic lawn, it is irrigated. The elk can be spotted sitting like cattle, nibbling its tender green blades.
On every trip, I have seen or heard the elk bulge at Mammoth, so keep a lookout. Visitors should remember to keep at least 25 feet away from elk.
Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park
I recommend Hayden Valley or Lamar Valley along the river for the best wildlife spotting. The best times to spot animals are dawn and dusk, when they are most active. Check in with the Park Rangers, who know where animals frequent, or take a guided tour.
- Bison
- Moose
- Elk
- Grizzly Bear
- Black Bear
- Wolf
- Bighorn Sheep
- Mule Deer
- Coyote
- Pronghorn
- Pika
- Marmot
Note:
- Stay at least 25 feet away from elk, bison, and other wildlife. For bears and wolves, stay 100 yards away.
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Kids at Yellowstone
The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn about a National Park Service site. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the badges the Rangers present them with after they complete their booklet.
Kids love Yellowstone and kids love animals, so buy a Junior Ranger booklet at the nearest bookstore. In Yellowstone, the booklets are $3, but kids who complete them get a badge.
Yellowstone National Park divides the Junior Ranger booklet into three age categories with age-appropriate activities. Kids 4 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 and older each complete as many activities as their age.
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center also offers a Young Scientist Patch Program. Buy the $5 booklet at the visitor center’s gift store. The visitor center also checks out a pack of equipment needed to conduct experiments. It is best suited for students spending a couple of days in the Old Faithful Area to finish the program.
Try to turn in your Junior Ranger booklet at Yellowstone’s National Park Junior Ranger Station, located near the Madison entrance on the west side of the park.
National Park Junior Ranger Badges
History of Yellowstone National Park
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the first national park in the world, an idea that has flourished worldwide.
Yellowstone’s significance began long before. Approximately two million years ago, a supervolcano erupted in Yellowstone, forming a caldera, or basin. It is located in the center of Yellowstone National Park and measures 45 miles across. It is now home to the largest concentration of geysers in the world.
The railroad arrived at the northern edge of the park in 1883. Then, the first roads started to bisect the park, allowing visitors more access to the geothermal features and animals. More people meant more buildings, with Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Old Faithful Inn a few of the surviving early lodges.
It was on the western frontier so the U.S. Army built a fort to keep the law and chase away the poachers.
Where to Eat at Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hotel Dining Room
Completely renovated, the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room features an Art Deco design atheistic. It feels glam for a national park, though the dress is casual. Like the rest of Yellowstone National Park, hiking boots are welcome.
Its menu features several items sourced within 500 miles of the park, including Montana Beef and local trout. I sampled the Blistered Shishito Peppers and the Smoked Trout Dip during my meal. I followed that with the 6-ounce Petit Filet Mignon.
Other options include Colorado Lamb Rack, NY Strip and a Pork Rib Chop. The menu offers gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options as well.
The Mammoth Hotel Dining Room closes for the fall season the third week of October. It reopens for the Winter Season on December 15 and stays open until mid-March. Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Reservations are required for dinner.
Mammoth Terrace Grill
For quick meals, to-go items and fountain drinks, the Terrace Grill offers efficient service. During my stay, I had a breakfast sandwich on a bagel with egg and cheese, perfect for exploring.
It also serves lunch and dinner items, like burgers, sandwiches and salads. Ice cream is also available.
It is located next to the Mammoth Hotel Dining Room at 305B Albright Ave. It is open daily from late April to mid-October from 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Map Room Bar
For an evening wind-down, the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel’s Map Room Bar serves a selection of wine, beer and classic cocktails. In the evening, a pianist plays standards in the corner and there is a lot of seating, This is the place to meet and share stories with other travelers.
The Map Room is located just off the main lobby and the map is a focal point of the Map Room, covering an entire wall. Designed by famed architect Robert Reamer (who designed the Old Faithful Inn), the map includes 2,544 pieces of woo from 16 different trees, native to nine different countries.
The Map Room Bar is open from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. when the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
Mammoth General Store
The Yellowstone General Stores sell packaged snacks along with ice cream. This location also sells gas.
Picnicking Around Mammoth Hot Springs
- Lava Creek Picnic Area
- Mammoth Picnic Area
Where to Stay at Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
Located in the Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District, this property underwent a major renovation of its gathering spaces and guest rooms. Near the Northern Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, it is also open for winter and summer visits.
The majority of the hotel was built in 1936 and features a retaining wing of guest rooms originally built in 1911. Its signature Map Room contains a large wooden map of the United States, constructed of 15 different kinds of wood from nine countries. Steps away, visitors will find a bar with local beer and wine, along with nightly live music.
Guests enjoy a variety of accommodations at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel; some even feature original clawfoot tubs. The rooms are well-appointed and feature a mini-fridge, microwave, coffeemaker, chair, and reading lamp.
A choice of bedding is offered with king or double queen rooms. None of the Mammoth Hot Springs Hot rooms feature air-conditioning, a TV or a radio. Pets are not allowed at this property.
Guests will find the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Dining Room a few steps away from the hotel. Its menu features locally sourced products from beer and wine to beef and fish. Reservations are recommended for dinner. Additionally, there is the casual Mammoth Terrace Grill for quick meals and grab-and-go. Coffee is available in the lobby.
Close to the Mammoth Hot Springs and Fort Yellowstone. And there is even a chance to spot elk grazing outside the hotel.
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Cabins at Mammoth
Hot Tub Cabin
These cabins are available in the winter and offer an outdoor hot tub within an enclosed patio. Each cabin provides one queen bed, heat, and a bathroom with a shower only. It offers a front porch, a coffeemaker, a telephone, a hair dryer, an alarm clock and a fan. No air-conditioning, TV or radio. Sorry, pets and cooking aren’t allowed.
The following are summer-only cabins:
Frontier Cabin
With two queen beds, this cabin features heat and a bathroom with a shower only. It also offers a front porch, a hair dryer, an alarm clock and a fan. No air-conditioning, TV or radio. Sorry, pets and cooking aren’t allowed.
Cabin Without a Bath
This cabin offers one queen bed and a sink without a toilet or shower. It features heat, an alarm clock, a hair dryer, and a fan. Sorry, pets and cooking aren’t allowed.
Two Room Cabins without a Bath
This cabin offers one queen bed and two full beds, so good for families and groups. It has a sink though no toilet or shower. It features heat, an alarm clock, a hair dryer, and a fan. Sorry, pets and cooking aren’t allowed.
A communal bathhouse with showers is located in the area.
Camping at Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Campground—Closed for 2023
- Year-round
- Reservable from April 1 to October 15
- 85 sites
- Potable Water and Flush Toilets, No Showers
- RV Limit: 40 feet
The camping fee starts at $25 a night, reservable through Recreation.gov.
Indian Creek Campground
- Seasonal
- Reservable from early June until early September
- 70 sites
- Potable Water and Vault Toilets, No Showers
- RV Limit: 35 feet
The camping fee starts at $20 a night, reservable through Recreation.gov.
Winter Visits to Yellowstone National Park
Mammoth Hot Springs Hot is open for winter visits from mid-December to March. Daily guided tours depart the Mammoth Hotel for Lamar Valley, Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon and Old Faithful.
For those who like skiing and snowshoe, the Bear Den Ski Shop is in the gift shop. It offers equipment, lessons, tips, and tours for cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts.
The road is plowed and open to vehicles from the North Entrance and across the Grand Loop Road, Mammoth-Tower. Road coach transportation is required and available through YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com for other destinations within Yellowstone.
Getting Around Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park is open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. Use an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or purchase a 7-day pass for $35 per vehicle.
Yellowstone National Park offers five entrances.
Disclosure: I was hosted at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
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