Mud Caldron
Photo: NPS / public domain- 0.2 mi
- distance
- 81 ft
- climb
- 7,836 ft
- high point
- Lollipop
- route
- Jul–Sep
- best months
Mud Caldron is a short, easy hike in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, managed by the National Park Service. The route is about 0.17 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 81 feet, and it starts at the Mud Volcano Trailhead. The trail is so short that it works well as a quick stop or a way to stretch your legs before or after exploring the surrounding area. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Lake Yellowstone weather station show July and August highs around 71°F with lows in the low 40s, while winter highs stay in the 20s and 30s. Several other hikes sit within a short distance. Mud Volcano Trail, Cooking Hillside and Grizzly Fumarole are each about 0.1 mile away, and Sizzling Basin is about 0.2 mile off. For a longer outing, Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins is about 5.3 miles away.
Best time to go · Jul–Sep
Best time to visit Mud Caldron
Best months: July–September. 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.
Jan
23° / 3°
17 wet
Feb
27° / 3°
15 wet
Mar
35° / 11°
14 wet
Apr
42° / 19°
12 wet
May
50° / 29°
12 wet
Jun
61° / 36°
13 wet
Jul
71° / 43°
10 wet
Aug
71° / 42°
10 wet
Sep
61° / 34°
10 wet
Oct
46° / 25°
9 wet
Nov
33° / 15°
12 wet
Dec
24° / 7°
16 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lake Yellowstone, WY, 4.6 mi away at 7,892 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Cooking Hillside
Next door
The trees on this hillside are cooked by steam. In 1978, an earthquake swarm occurred at Mud Volcano. The intense swarm lasted about seven months. This hillside experienced increased heat, causing the vegetation to die. Researchers are able to study tree rings to learn about…
Photo: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Wrangler Lake Trail
~10 min drive
Short out-and-back hike to a scenic alpine lake in Wyoming's high country.
Photo: cchadek, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Wapiti Lake Trail
~11 min drive
Scenic 16.32-mile out-and-back to alpine Wapiti Lake in Wyoming.
Photo: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake Trail
~11 min drive
Out-and-back alpine trail connecting Clear Lake and Ribbon Lake in Wyoming.
Photo: Roger Sylvia, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Artist Point-Point Sublime Trail
~12 min drive
Scenic 1.3-mile out-and-back with dramatic viewpoints and natural formations.
HIKE
Grizzly Fumarole
Next door
While named a fumarole, this feature will change based on recent precipitation. When dry, it is a fumarole. When it has been rainy, this feature can be a mudpot.
Photo: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Bridge Bay Campground-Natural Bridge Trail
~11 min drive
Easy out-and-back hike to a natural bridge rock formation near Bridge Bay.
Photo: R. Sieben, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Howard Eaton Trail: Fishing Bridge-Canyon
~11 min drive
Moderate out-and-back hike from Fishing Bridge to Canyon through thermal landscapes.
Photo: Don Graham from Redlands, CA, USA - God bless it!, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)North Rim Trail
~12 min drive
Easy out-and-back rim hike with scenic views near North Rim.
HIKE
Sizzling Basin
Next door
A hot spring that has existing activity much like grease on a hot frying pan.
Also worth it near here
Photo: Yellowstone National Park from Yellowstone NP, USA, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)Fishing Bridge RV Park
~9 min drive
SEE
Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins
~9 min drive
SEE
Bridge Bay Boat Launch Ramp
~11 min drive
Photo: G. Edward Johnson, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Yellowstone Natural Bridge
~12 min drive
