Firehole River
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
| Address: | Firehole Canyon Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA |
| GPS: |
44°37'4.7"N 110°51'35.5"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Wyoming |
Restrooms Rivers National Park
Hot Springs and Swim
The Firehole River starts south of Old Faithful, runs through the thermal areas northward to join the Gibbon and form the Madison River. The Firehole is world famous among anglers for its pristine beauty and healthy brown, brook, and rainbow trout.
Firehole River Canyon in Yellowstone N.P. is a great place to spend a few hours and get a respite from the desert sun. It includes rapids emptying into a deep pool as well as shallow sections outside the current. All should be careful to keep out of the main current.* The water is warm for this elevation because the river contains the runoff from many thermal features, including Old Faithful. Portable toilets are available (as of summer 2001). Camp at Madison campground near Madison Junction near the West Yellowstone entrance in order to be near the swimming. Courtesy of swimmingholes.org
The river is surrounded by geothermal features which empty water into it, which in turn affects the temperature of the water. Temperatures in the river have been measured as high as 86 °F and average 9 to 18 °F higher than areas upstream of geothermal influence. It is always good to discuss the water temperatures with a local park ranger to make sure temperatures are safe.
*WARNING: All should be careful to keep out of the main current - A GIRL DIED HERE IN 2003 JUMPING INTO THE CURRENT AND GETTING TRAPPED UNDER AN OVERHANGING ROCK - DON'T DO IT.) Courtesy of swimmingholes.org
Check https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/swimming-soaking.htm for closures, regulations, and conditions.
More Information
Yellowstone National Park Itinerary
This Yellowstone National Park Itinerary will help you get started as you plan your vacation to Yellowstone National Park.
https://www.justgotravelstudios.com/collections/national-park-itineraries/products/yellowstone-national-park-itinerary?ref=9zpxis0diinBackcountry Conditions - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
This page provides a map and details conditions of trail status, closures, and known hazards.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/situationreport.htm
Be careful. Pay attention to posted signs and always test the waters before you get in. Some hot springs can get up to boiling temperatures. Be sure to drink plenty of water to combat the dehydrating effect of the spring.
Be respectful of other soakers and the hot spring. Don't hog the pool. Camp at least 200 yards away and keep fires in designated areas. Keep your pets out of the water and never pee in thermal feature. Glass bottles should never go near a hot spring.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Madison, Yellowstone National Park
- Head north toward US-191 N/
US-20 W/ US-287 N (210 ft) - Turn right onto US-191 S/
US-20 E/ US-287 S Toll roadMay be closed at certain times or days(0.1 mi) - Turn right at the 1st cross street onto US-191 S/
US-20 E/ US-287 S/ US-89 S Toll roadParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(0.6 mi) - Turn right onto Firehole Canyon RdParts of this road may be closed at certain times or daysDestination will be on the right(1.9 mi)
Jump off the main park road and enjoy the one-way drive through Firehole Canyon. You might see anglers testing their fishing skills below the falls. A stop at the Firehole Falls is worthwhile and you my want bring your camera. Finally, if it's warm enough, stop and swim at the Firehole Swimming Area.
Other Swimming Holes and Hot Springs Nearby
Heart Lake Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
24.5 miles SEAn 8-mile moderate hike to a remote backcountry lake with blue thermal pools, fumaroles, Rustic Geyser, and remarkable fishing for native cutthroat, mountain whitefish, and Arctic grayling.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Hot Springs
Boiling River
North Entrance, Yellowstone National Park
27.2 miles NWhere a hot spring pours into the Gardner River in Yellowstone, warm soaking awaits — but never enter the scalding upstream runoff channel, which reaches 113–140°F. Check with a ranger first.
Hot Springs, Swim 0.9 mi
Buffalo River Campground
Island Park, Idaho
28.1 miles SWAn easy, clear, and often warm float on the Buffalo River near Island Park, with slow enough current to paddle back upstream in a canoe or kayak after your run.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
30.3 miles SWA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Hellroaring Creek Trail
Yellowstone National Park
30.9 miles NEA suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River leads to sandy creek-side beaches and a mild backcountry trail past Yellowstone's largest granite slab — great for all ages.
Camp, Hike, Swim 14.8-15.1 mi
Mr. Bubbles Hot Spring
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
33.6 miles SA remote 15-mile backcountry trek through Yellowstone's Bechler region to a rare wild soak fed by a thermal spring.
Hike, Hot Springs
Horseshoe Lake
Ashton, Idaho
33.7 miles SA lily-pad-dotted lake hidden in the Targhee National Forest with a gradual beach entry perfect for wading, a floating dock for jumping, and no motorized boats.
Camp, Canoe, Dive, Swim 15.9-16.6 mi
Union Falls & Ouzel Pool
Bechler Ranger Station, Yellowstone National Park
34.4 miles SA ~16-mile backcountry trek into Yellowstone's remote Bechler region rewards you with a 250-foot waterfall and Ouzel Pool — a warm-spring-fed swimming hole you can jump into.
Backpack, Hike, Hot Springs, Swim
Loon Lake
Ashton, Idaho
35.2 miles SLoon Lake is a small, lively mountain lake tucked into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest just off Ashton's Fish Creek Road, in the timbered high country of eastern Idaho near the gateway to...
Camp, Kayak, Swim
Wade Lake
Cameron, Montana
37.0 miles WWade Lake is a hidden gem of southwestern Montana — a spring-fed mountain lake famous for its glassy, aquamarine water, tucked into a forested ravine at the southern end of the Gravelly Range....
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Porcupine Creek
Ashton, Idaho
40.8 miles SWA backcountry hunting, fishing, camping, and swimming spot in Targhee National Forest, surrounded by forests, meadows, a creek, and unmarked trails — bear country, so pack and store food carefully.
Camp, Swim
Ousel Falls
Gallatin Gateway, Montana
49.0 miles NWA 1.7-mile out-and-back trail near Big Sky, Montana, leading through forest to a beautiful waterfall — accessible from May through October for a rewarding short hike.
Hike, Rock Climb, Swim 4.8 mi
Aldous Lake and Hancock Lake
Kilgore, Idaho
49.0 miles WTwin alpine lakes — Aldous and Hancock — on a scenic 1.5-to-2.5-mile hike near Kilgore, with beautiful mountain scenery and heavier weekend crowds.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Horseback, SwimNearby Campsites
Madison Campground
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
1.9 miles NA partly wooded riverside campground at 6,800 feet in Yellowstone, close to Old Faithful and the geyser basins, with great fishing on the Madison River and 270-plus individual sites.
Camp 14.8 mi
Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
9.8 miles SA nearly 15-mile backcountry hike starting at Biscuit Basin passes turquoise pools, a 70-foot waterfall, Firehole Meadows, Imperial Geyser, and three stunning blue lakes with rust-red shores.
Backpack, Camp, Hike
Norris Campground
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
11.5 miles NECentrally located in Yellowstone NP, this campground puts you within a short drive of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, and Yellowstone Lake.
Camp 0.8-3.8 mi
Little Gibbon Falls
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
13.2 miles NEA family-friendly 4.5-mile Yellowstone loop reaches fishing and swimming spots along Gibbon Creek, with kid-safe trail, canoeing options, and bearspray-worthy backcountry feel.
Camp, Canoe, Hike
Indian Creek Campground Yellowstone
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
19.2 miles NIndian Creek Campground is a quiet, wooded, tent-friendly Yellowstone campground near Mammoth Hot Springs, big on wildlife and peace.
Camp
Canyon Campground
Canyon Junction, Yellowstone National Park
19.9 miles NEA popular Yellowstone campground of 300-plus sites just minutes from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Upper and Lower Falls, with hiking trails and North Rim Drive access right from camp.
Camp
Big Springs
Island Park, Idaho
21.2 miles SWA Big Springs campground shaded by Lodgepole Pines on Henry's Fork — with a 1-mile interpretive trail, fish feeding under the bridge, the historic Johnny Sack Cabin, and access to the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway.
Camp, Hike
Grant Village
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
21.3 miles SENamed for President Grant near Yellowstone Lake's West Thumb, this village has lakeside dining, a geyser basin next door, campfire ranger programs, and tree-lined campsites steps from the water.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak
Bridge Bay
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
21.6 miles EA scenic campground on the western shore of Yellowstone Lake at 7,800 feet — wooded upper loops, open meadows, and a nearby marina store, though far from the park's main dining hubs.
Camp
Fishing Bridge RV Campground
Lake Village, Yellowstone National Park
24.4 miles EAn RV campground near the mouth of the Yellowstone River where visitors can watch White Pelicans, waterfowl, and trout from the historic Fishing Bridge — fishing from the bridge is no longer permitted.
Camp 6.9 mi
Heart Lake Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
24.5 miles SEAn 8-mile moderate hike to a remote backcountry lake with blue thermal pools, fumaroles, Rustic Geyser, and remarkable fishing for native cutthroat, mountain whitefish, and Arctic grayling.
Backpack, Camp, Hike, Hot Springs 0.1-5.3 mi
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park
25.7 miles NColorful limestone terraces covered in glistening hot-spring water, a 1-mile boardwalk with 300 feet of elevation, elk in the parking lot, and an easy family-friendly loop — Yellowstone's showiest geology.
Camp, Hike 0.1 mi
Lewis Lake Campground
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
25.9 miles SEYellowstone's third-largest lake draws canoeists, kayakers, and serious anglers, with a quiet campground open mid-June through early November on a first-come basis.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak
Mammoth Hot Springs Campground
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park
26.1 miles NThe only year-round campground in Yellowstone, with 85 first-come sites at 5 miles from the North Entrance, walking distance to the famous Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces and nearby hiking and fishing.
Camp
Upper Coffee Pot Campground
Island Park, Idaho
26.4 miles WHenry's Fork of the Snake River winds through a lodgepole pine forest past this campground, offering fly-fishing for rainbow and brook trout and easy tubing and canoeing.
Camp, Canoe 0.9 mi
Buffalo River Campground
Island Park, Idaho
28.1 miles SWAn easy, clear, and often warm float on the Buffalo River near Island Park, with slow enough current to paddle back upstream in a canoe or kayak after your run.
Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim
Tower Falls
Tower Junction, Yellowstone National Park
29.9 miles NETower Fall plunges 132 feet off Tower Creek in Yellowstone, framed by dramatic rock pinnacles — located about 3 miles south of Roosevelt Junction.
Camp, Hike 17.5 mi
Tear Drop Lake
Ashton, Idaho
30.3 miles SWA small, lively lake in the Targhee forest for kayaking, swimming, and an easy loop trail — family fun with primitive lakeside camping.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Kayak, Mountain Bike, Swim
Hellroaring Creek Trail
Yellowstone National Park
30.9 miles NEA suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River leads to sandy creek-side beaches and a mild backcountry trail past Yellowstone's largest granite slab — great for all ages.
Camp, Hike, Swim
Cave Falls of Yellowstone
Ashton, Idaho
33.5 miles SA campground right on the Fall River along Yellowstone's south boundary puts you steps from legendary fishing, with fire rings and bear-proof boxes at each site.
Camp, Hike
