Things to Do at Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs sits at the north entrance of Yellowstone, and honestly, it's unlike anything else you'll see in the park. These terraced limestone formations look almost otherworldly - like someone built a series of white and orange staircases into the hillside, then filled them with steaming mineral water. The whole area is actually a massive hot spring complex where underground water picks up calcium carbonate from limestone rock, then deposits it layer by layer as it cools at the surface. What's particularly fascinating is how dynamic this place is. The springs are constantly shifting and changing - terraces that were active and flowing last year might be bone dry this season, while new formations pop up seemingly overnight. You'll find yourself walking among these sculptural limestone cascades, some still actively flowing with hot mineral water, others dormant and slowly being reclaimed by hardy plants and wildlife. The contrast between the stark white calcium deposits and the deep blues and oranges of the mineral-rich pools creates some genuinely striking scenery.

Mammoth Hot Springs sits just 5 miles inside Yellowstone's North Entrance-one of the few spots you can reach year-round. The North Entrance road never closes. That makes this area your best bet for winter visits when most of Yellowstone shuts down. Drive 18 miles north from Norris Junction if you're already in the park. Parking works fine near the main terraces, though summer crowds will fill every spot by mid-morning.