Sentinel Meadows & Queen's Laundry
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
| Address: | Fountain Flat Dr, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA |
| GPS: |
44°34'1.8"N 110°50'6.9"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Wyoming |
Restrooms Rivers Streams Trails Rocks Wildflowers Ponds National Park
Hike
The hike to Sentinel Meadows and Queens Laundry gives you a level trail with wide open meadows, hot springs, ponds, birds, and a little bit of Yellowstone National Park history. The trail can be done by hiking directly to Queens Laundry and back or made into a little loop that’s a bit longer through another meadow. Courtesy of hike734.com
Sentinel Meadows and Queen's Laundry is a hiking trail that follows the Firehole River. Flaming red hot springs and beautiful oat colored meadows can be seen on this trail. The construction of Queen's Laundry, is a historic site that dates back to the 1800's when people used the geothermal pools to bathe. The thermal water provided a relaxing bathing experience, while having amazing cleansing properties.The idea behind the laundry was that it was the first structure built at its time that was a hot spring fed bathing pool. Half of the structure was intended to be for bathing, while the other half was for the laundry. Unfortunately, the laundry was never completed, and as ownership of the park changed overtime, the structure remained a half finished bath/laundry. What is left of the structure can still be seen today in almost perfect condition. The minerals emitted from the hot springs surrounding the area preserved the structure, and it is now considered a historic site.
It is important to know that going off trail is not permitted on this hike. There are dangerous hydrothermal areas that can cause injury if they are encountered. However these areas are a beautiful sight from the trail, as it glows shades of orange, burnt orange, and copper.This is a moderate hike, and is 4.7 mile trail that leads straight to the hydrothermal springs. There is little change in elevation, which makes this hike brilliant for all ages. Bison have been seen here as well as other deer and caribou species. This hike is extremely scenic, and true of Yellowstone's beauty.
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.htmOld Yellowstone: History of Bath Lake - Yellowstone Insider
Nearly a century ago, Bath Lake was one of Mammoth Hot Springs’ chief attractions. Indeed, from its
https://yellowstoneinsider.com/2016/09/12/old-yellowstone-history-bath-lake/Old Yellowstone: History of Queen’s Laundry - Yellowstone Insider
Near Sentinel Meadows, you’ll find a curious remnant of Yellowstone National Park’s early history: T
https://yellowstoneinsider.com/2016/10/17/old-yellowstone-history-queens-laundry/Be courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- 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(5.6 mi) - Turn right onto Fountain Flat DrParts of this road may be closed at certain times or days(0.8 mi)
- Continue straightMay be closed at certain times or days(499 ft)
Other Hiking Trails Nearby
Grand Prismatic Spring
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
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Hike 1.5-5.0 mi
Fairy Falls
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Hike 2.0 mi
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail
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Hike 6.1 mi
Purple Mountain Trail
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
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Harlequin Lake Trail
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Hike 0.3-0.5 mi
Mystic Falls
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Hike 14.8 mi
Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows
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Backpack, Camp, Hike
Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
7.4 miles SOld Faithful has erupted every 44 to 125 minutes since 2000, making it one of the world's most predictable geysers — a must-see centerpiece of Yellowstone National Park.
Hike 1.5 mi
Observation Point Trail
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
7.4 miles SA lightly trafficked 2-mile loop that offers an elevated aerial view of Old Faithful and passes close-up geysers on the way to Solitary Geyser — the quieter way to see the iconic geyser.
Hike 3.1 mi
Mallard Lake
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
7.6 miles SA 10-mile roundtrip Yellowstone hike through changing scenery — pine forest, rocky terrain, and grassy meadows — arriving at a calm, wildflower-ringed lake with a bird's-eye view of Old Faithful.
Hike 6.2 mi
Howard Eaton Trail
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
7.8 miles SA moderately difficult 6.5-mile there-and-back trail from Old Faithful through spruce-fir forest, past geysers and springs, culminating at the impressive Lonestar Geyser which erupts every three hours.
Hike
Beryl Spring / Emerald Spring
Norris, Yellowstone National Park
8.8 miles NEOne of Yellowstone's hottest thermal features, right off the Grand Loop Road — the water exceeds boiling point, making this a stunning roadside look-don't-touch volcanic wonder.
Hike 2.6 mi
Lone Star Geyser Trail
Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park
10.4 miles SA 4.8-mile round-trip trail through forest to a colorful geyser that erupts 30–45 feet into the air about every 3 hours — bikeable the entire way.
Hike, Mountain Bike 6.1 mi
Shoshone Lake (via DeLacy Creek)
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Hike
Ice Lake Trail
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Hike 0.8-3.8 mi
Little Gibbon Falls
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Camp, Canoe, Hike 0.5 mi
Duck Lake
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Hike
Lake Overlook
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Hike 0.4 mi
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Grant Visitor's Center, Yellowstone National Park
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Hike 1.4 mi
Yellowstone Lake Overlook Trail
Grant Village, Yellowstone National Park
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HikeNearby Campsites
Madison Campground
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Camp 14.8 mi
Biscuit Basin to Fairy Falls and Firehole Meadows
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Backpack, Camp, Hike
Norris Campground
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Camp 0.8-3.8 mi
Little Gibbon Falls
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Grant Village
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Camp, Hike 0.1 mi
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Indian Creek Campground Yellowstone
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Camp
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Buffalo River Campground
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Camp, Canoe, Kayak, Swim 17.5 mi
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Mammoth Hot Springs
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Camp, Hike
Mammoth Hot Springs Campground
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Tower Falls
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Camp, Hike
