Bucket List by fourbirsa
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Firehole River
Madison, Yellowstone National Park
1.9 miles S of Madison, Yellowstone National ParkThe 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.
Union Falls & Ouzel Pool
Bechler Ranger Station, Yellowstone National Park
E of Bechler Ranger Station, Yellowstone National ParkUnion Falls is one of Yellowstone's hidden masterpieces — a wide, fan-shaped curtain of water around 250 feet tall, tucked deep in the park's remote Bechler region, the wild southwest corner known as Cascade Corner. Almost nobody driving the loop road ever lays eyes on it, and that's exactly the appeal: this one you earn on foot, well off the tourist track, and it rewards every mile.
The trek runs roughly 16 miles round trip, making it a big day hike or a wonderful overnight backpack. Most of the walking is gentle, threading through lodgepole forest and open meadows in classic Bechler fashion, with one memorable obstacle about a mile in: a ford of the Falls River. Early in the season that crossing runs swift and deep, but by mid-July it settles to a straightforward wade — bring shoes you can strap on and trekking poles for balance. Backcountry campsites a few miles in let you split the trip, soak in the scenery, and reach the falls fresh.
Then there's the bonus that makes this trip legendary: Ouzel Pool, also known as Scout Pool. A short side trip off the main trail — about a mile and a half each way — leads to a natural swimming hole fed by a warm spring, with a small waterfall pouring in over the lip. By late summer the water warms to something close to a tepid bath, a rare treat in the high country. The pool is roughly 20 feet across and seven feet deep, with a bedrock shelf for easy wading and a big rock that begs to be jumped from — cannonballs only, since it's too shallow to dive. Strong swimmers can paddle up under the falls and sit beneath the rush.
This is genuine Yellowstone backcountry, so come prepared and come respectful. It's grizzly country: carry bear spray, make noise, and store your food properly. The mosquitoes are serious in early summer, so pack repellent and a head net for June and early July. Overnight trips require a backcountry permit from the park, reservable in advance or at a ranger station, and there's no cell service back here — let someone know your route.
Timing makes or breaks this one. Mid-July through September is the sweet spot, when the Falls River ford is friendly, the bugs ease off, and the swimming is at its best. Earlier than that and high water can turn the crossing dangerous; later and the days get short for such a long round trip. Get an early start, pace yourself for the miles, and you'll come away with one of the most complete days Yellowstone has to offer — a thundering 250-foot waterfall and a warm, wild swimming hole, all in one walk. Few places reward the effort quite like this.
