Wyoming · Hiking

Boiling River

Boiling RiverPhoto: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Boiling River open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Yellowstone National Park. It doesn't name Boiling River, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: NPS · Yellowstone National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

No swimming at Boiling River. Currently, swimming is not possible at Boiling River because of the impacts to the river from the 2022 floods. More Soaking & Swimming Swimming is not recommended in Yellowstone, and is occasionally prohibited, because most lakes and streams are dangerously cold. Firehole Canyon, near Madison Junction, has a swimming area in summer. Think Safety, Act Safely From burning hot hydrothermal features, to unpredictable wildlife, to steep terrain, Yellowstone is a dangerous place. You are responsible for your safety. As such, please remember these safety tips: Never touch any hydrothermal waters—they can scald you. Observe safe distances from all wildlife. Stay behind fencing, guard rails, and ledges. Use caution when around park waters—they are cold and fast. Show patience and courtesy to other people. Aquatic Invasive Species Red-rimmed melania, a small snail imported by the aquarium trade starting in the 1930s, was discovered in the Boiling River swimming area in 2009. An aquatic invasive species disrupts ecological processes because it is not indigenous to the ecosystem. Invasive organisms can cause species extinction, with the highest extinction rates occurring in freshwater environments. Red-rimmed melania is unlikely to survive downstream of the Boiling River during the winter, but it could become established in other thermal water in the park. Accessibility The first 50 yards of the compacted soil trail is accessible. Beyond this point, there are rocks, eroded trail surfacing, and drop-offs, as well as a couple small hills with up to a 20% grade.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Boiling River

    Best months: April–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      35° / 17°

    2. Feb

      38° / 18°

    3. Mar

      49° / 25°

    4. Apr

      57° / 32°

    5. May

      67° / 39°

    6. Jun

      77° / 46°

    7. Jul

      87° / 53°

    8. Aug

      86° / 52°

    9. Sep

      76° / 44°

    10. Oct

      60° / 34°

    11. Nov

      44° / 24°

    12. Dec

      34° / 17°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gardiner, MT, 2.8 mi away at 5,275 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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~2 min drive

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~5 min drive

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Minerva Terrace

~3 min drive

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~6 min drive

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~9 min drive

Easy out-and-back creek hike through Wyoming's scenic drainage.