Mr. Bubbles Hot Spring - Hike and Hot Springs near Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
Continental Divide Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA,Old Faithful,Wyoming
44.14969233156133, -111.04571117188304
Address: Continental Divide Trail, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
GPS: 44°8'58.9"N 111°2'44.6"W
Maps | Directions
State: Wyoming
Trails/Routes: 14.8-30.2 mi

Rivers Waterfalls National Park

Hike and Hot Springs

Mr. Bubbles is one of the few places you can actually soak in the thermal waters of Yellowstone National Park. The Bechler area of Yellowstone is one of the best kept secrets of the otherwise densely populated park. It's off the beaten path far from paved roads, boardwalks, tour busses and gift shops. In the backcountry, you'll walk singletrack dirt trails and see natural features not included on any brochure. There's also a good chance you'll see wildlife outside the safe comforts of your car door. Be aware of the animals around you (like bears, moose and bison). Give animals their space as to not threaten them.

You'll find the hot spring about halfway between the Bechler Ranger station and Old Faithful on the Bechler River Trail. (If you want to camp along the trail, you'll need to make a reservation with one of the parks backcountry offices)

This is a 15 mile hike to the attractions and another 15 to get out. Along the trail, you'll see several waterfalls and will have to cross the river multiple times. Some crossings are on logs while others are on bridges. Plan to get your feet wet. There is an impressive thermal feature near the hot springs.This is not the hot spring. This thermal feature is what pours into and heats up the small stream where you will soak in. Do not mistake this for the soaking pool you're looking for. The feature is dangerous because it will scald and can kill you. Mr. Bubbles will relax you. Don't mix them up!

CAUTION: WATER TEMPERATURES CHANGE AND ARE NOT ALWAYS SAFE. CHECK WITH THE RANGER STATION TO MAKE SURE IT'S SAFE BEFORE YOU PLAN YOUR TRIP.

CAUTION: NEVER HIKE AT NIGHT IN THE HOTSPOT AREAS OF YELLOWSTONE.. YOU WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST EXPERIENCED HIKER TO BE SCALDED TO DEATH IN AN UNEXPECTED THERMAL FEATURE.

Check https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/swimming-soaking.htm for closures, regulations, and conditions.

30.5K Written by endovereric
947 Edited by jamiegarrard

Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.

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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.

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  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

  1. Head east on Pyramid Rd (0.2 mi)
  2. Turn left onto Geyser View Ave (0.2 mi)
  3. Geyser View Ave turns left and becomes Old Faithful Rd (0.6 mi)
  4. Take the ramp to US-191 N/US-20 W/US-287 N/US-89 N (0.4 mi)
  5. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Madison and merge onto US-191 N/US-20 W/US-287 N/US-89 N
    Toll road
    Parts of this road may be closed at certain times or days
    (15.9 mi)
  6. Turn left onto US-191 N/US-20 W/US-287 N
    Toll road
    Parts of this road may be closed at certain times or days
    Entering Montana
    (13.9 mi)
  7. Turn right onto Boundary St (0.2 mi)
  8. Turn left onto Firehole Ave (0.4 mi)
  9. Continue onto US-20 W
    Entering Idaho
    (35.6 mi)
  10. Turn left onto Mesa Falls Scenic Byway/Mesa Falls Trail/Old Hwy 47 Scenic
    Continue to follow Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
    (22.2 mi)
  11. Turn left onto E 1400 Rd N/Cave Falls Rd
    Entering Wyoming
    (16.4 mi)
  12. Turn left onto Bechler Ranger Station Rd
    Passing through Idaho
    Entering Wyoming
    (1.5 mi)
  13. Turn right (259 ft)
or

You can begin at Old Faithful within the park or from the Bechler Ranger Station near Cave Falls. Either way, it's about a 15 mile hike. Near Ferris Fork 9D1, and where Gregg Fork, Ferris Fork, and Bechler River come together, you'll find a fork in the trail called 3 Rivers Junction. From there, you'll follow the trail East along Ferris Fork for 0.5 miles past the dangerous thermal feature until you see Mr. Bubbles pool set off the East side of the river. You'll be able to recognize it from the continuous bubbles coming up near the middle of the pool.

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Dangerous Thermal Feature near hot spring courtesy of richfry.name Dangerous Thermal Feature near hot spring courtesy of richfry.name↗
Soaking in Mr. Bubbles, Yellowstone National Park courtesy of ilya_ktsn Soaking in Mr. Bubbles, Yellowstone National Park courtesy of ilya_ktsn↗ Mr Bubbles by Dennis Converso Mr Bubbles by Dennis Converso

Trails

Distance ?

14.8 miles

Elevation Gain ?

986 feet

Real Ascent ?

1,970 feet

Real Descent ?

984 feet

Avg Grade (1°)

1%

Grade (-16° to 19°)

-29% to 35%

Distance ?

30.2 miles Round Trip

Elevation Gain ?

29 feet

Real Ascent ?

2,060 feet

Real Descent ?

2,031 feet

Avg Grade (0°)

0%

Grade (-18° to 11°)

-32% to 20%

Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.