Mammoth Hot Springs – Yellowstone’s Most Colorful Wonder

Have you ever felt like you’ve stepped onto another planet? That’s what visiting Mammoth Hot Springs is like. The colorful formations, bubbling water, and sulfuric smell make it feel otherworldly. The terraces, with their bright whites, oranges, and yellows, looked like an artist had created them, but they were all made by Mother Nature.

When I stood there, surrounded by the smell of sulfur and the sound of bubbling water, I felt connected to something ancient and powerful.

When you visit Mammoth, the closest entry is the north entrance to the Yellowstone National Park in Gardener, Montana. Travel down the US-89 for 4.5 miles to make it to the springs.

Important disclaimer. Mammoth Hot Spring is technically a hot spring, but there is no soaking. So please leave the bathing towels at home.

What Makes Mammoth Hot Springs So Special?

A fascinating natural process forms Mammoth’s terraces. Let me break it down for you:

1) Hot water rises from underground, heated by Yellowstone’s volcanic activity.

2) The water dissolves limestone as it travels upward.

3) When the water reaches the surface and cools, it deposits travertine, creating the terraces.

This process has been ongoing for about 8,000 years, and the terraces are always changing. Scientists estimate they grow about 8 inches (20 cm) per year on average, but some spots can build up as much as 2 feet (60 cm) annually.

Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss

When you visit Mammoth, here are the must-see spots:

• Minerva Terrace: A stunning, colorful masterpiece that looks like an artist sculpted it. This is the most popular spot at Mammoth, named after the Roman goddess of art.
• Liberty Cap: A 37-foot (11-meter) tall, cone-shaped formation from an ancient, dormant hot spring.
• Palette Spring: Vibrant and full of color, thanks to heat-loving bacteria and algae.

Each of these spots shows off the unique nature of the springs and Yellowstone.

Stay Safe While Exploring

Mammoth is beautiful, but it’s also dangerous. The ground is thin, and boiling water lies just underneath.

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Always stay on the boardwalks.
• Don’t touch the water as it can reach over 200°F (93°C).
• Keep pets out of the area.

More than 20 people have died in Yellowstone’s geothermal areas, and hundreds more have been seriously burned. So, follow the rules and stay safe.

Why Mammoth Is Always Changing

One of the coolest things about Mammoth Hot Springs is that it’s constantly evolving. The underground water flows through cracks in the limestone, but those cracks can shift. If a crack gets blocked, a spring might dry up. But if a new crack opens, water might start flowing somewhere else.

The water feeding Mammoth comes from the Gallatin Range and can take anywhere from 60 to 10,000 years to reach the surface.

Colors and Life in the Hot Springs

Ever wonder why Mammoth looks so colorful? The vibrant hues come from microorganisms called thermophiles, which thrive in hot water. These tiny organisms create stunning colors and help build the terraces by extracting minerals from the water.

Here’s what causes the colors:

• Orange and brown: Heat-loving thermophile bacteria.
• Green: Algae growing in cooler water.
• White: Inactive areas where no water flows, leaving just the travertine.

Planning Your Visit

If you’re visiting Mammoth, here is how you can explore it.

Walk the boardwalks: The Lower Terraces loop is 1.8 miles (2.9 km) with a climb of 300 feet (90 meters).

Drive the Upper Terrace Loop: This 0.75-mile (1.2 km) one-way road offers a different viewpoint. It’s open from mid-May to early November.

Talk to a ranger: They can tell you which springs are most active during your visit.

Pro tip: Download the NPS app before your visit. It’s great for navigating Yellowstone!

Why Is It Called “Mammoth”?

Have you ever wondered how Mammoth got its name? It was likely inspired by the huge size of the terraces, which some thought resembled mammoth tusks or bones. Back in the 19th century, the word “mammoth” was used to describe anything big or impressive. Another theory is that the name came from the large herds of bison in the area, which settlers sometimes called “mammoths.” However, the name was given by European-American settlers, not the Nez Perce or Crow tribes, who used the springs for spiritual and medicinal purposes.

Historic Fort Yellowstone

Fort Yellowstone, located near Mammoth Hot Springs, played a key role in the park’s early history. When the U.S. Army took over park protection in 1886, they built 35 buildings made from local materials. The soldiers stopped poaching, vandalism, and illegal resource exploitation in the park.