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Firehole Canyon Swimming Area
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Wyoming
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Inside Yellowstone National Park
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Firehole Canyon Swimming Area
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CLOSED FOR THE 2025 SEASON. The river is usually closed to swimming until mid-summer due to high water and strong currents. During years with significant snowpack and runoff, the swim area may remain closed for the entire season. Check our current conditions page for status. Water wings are allowed and life jackets are recommended. Limited parking is often full and overflowing. Regulations Swimming is only permitted during designated hours. The Firehole Swim area is closed at night. Bathing suits are required. No food, drink, or alcohol allowed. Cans, bottles, and plastic containers are prohibited in the swim area. Use of soap, shampoo, conditioner or any other substance is prohibited (even if it’s biodegradable). Climbing, diving, or jumping from the cliffs or from trees in the area is prohibited. Rafts, tubes, noodles, pool floats, and similar water toys are prohibited In case of emergency, call 911. More Soaking & Swimming Swimming is not recommended in Yellowstone, and is occasionally prohibited, because most lakes and streams are dangerously cold. 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.
Madison Junction
~3 min drive
<p>At Madison Junction, the Gibbon River joins the Firehole River to form the Madison River.</p> <p>The Gibbon River flows from Grebe Lake through the Norris area to Madison Junction. The Firehole River starts south of Old Faithful and flows through the park’s major hydrotherm…
Purple Mountain Trail
~3 min drive
6.7 mi · Moderate
Harlequin Lake Trail
~4 min drive
1.0 mi · Easy
Fairy Falls Trail
~12 min drive
15 mi · Hard
Mount Haynes Fishing Platform
~6 min drive
<p>At the Mount Haynes Overlook, approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of Madison Junction. A level boardwalk leads to the Madison River.</p>
Boundary Trail (Xc)
~21 min drive
Moderate 4.58-mile cross-country backcountry route through Montana wilderness.
Midway Geyser Basin Trailhead
~11 min drive
Midway Geyser Basin is small but spectacular. Excelsior Geyser is a 200 x 300 foot crater that constantly discharges more than 4,000 gallons of water per minute into the Firehole River. Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, is 200–330 feet in diameter and…
Howard Eaton Trail
~22 min drive
22 mi · Hard
Red Spouter
~9 min drive
<p>Red Spouter formed as a direct result of the 1959 Hebgen Lake Earthquake. A vent opened up in this spot, which then turned into a mudpot. This hydrothermal feature does change seasonally, depending on the height of the water table beneath the surface. When the water table i…
Grand Prismatic Spring
~11 min drive
<p>Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, is 200-330 feet in diameter and more than 121 feet deep.</p> <p>Limited parking, especially 10 am-6 pm. Located in Midway Geyser Basin.</p> <h2>Hot Springs</h2> <p>Hot springs are the most common hydrothermal feature…
