Yellowstone Hot Springs Review – Gardiner, Montana

National Parks are amazing – especially Yellowstone because there is so much to see and do! But like everything in life, there can be too much of a good thing. A Yellowstone National Park trip requires lots of driving and honestly, after seeing so many thermal features, they all start to look the same. So if you or your traveling companions need a break from another day in the park, Yellowstone Hot Springs might be a good option.

Yellowstone Hot Springs is a relatively new public hot springs pool just 8 miles outside of Gardiner, Montana, by the north entrance (Mammoth Hot Springs) of the park.

I ended up visiting Yellowstone Hot Springs twice during my trip because I loved it so much!

There is another hot spring pool in the area – Chico Hot Springs, which is further north of Yellowstone Hot Springs, but in the same general area. I haven’t been there myself yet (it’s on my list!) so I can’t speak to it, but it’s another option.

Location:

Yellowstone Hot Springs – Details

• Cost: Can vary by season. I paid $18 in summer 2021, but their website currently quotes $15 per person (wintertime). Discount for locals available, with ID. Your admission is good for the entire day, meaning you can stop by in the morning, go do some hiking in the park, and come back in the evening. If you’re visiting on your birthday (the exact date, with ID required), your visit is free!
• Hours: *Summer* Tues-Sunday 9am-9pm. Closed Mondays. *Winter* – Wednesday – Sunday 9am-9pm.
• Towel rental: $4
• Lockers: 50 cents
• RV and tent campground available on site.
• No restaurant or food service available
• Website: Here

One thing to remember – though it may look like a regular swimming pool, it’s not. There is no chlorine in the water – it’s consistently flow-through mineral water, and you may find dirt specs in the pools. Also, the iron in the mineral water can make the water look “dirty” even though it’s not.

What to bring to Yellowstone Hot Springs

• Swimsuit (duh)
• Flip flops or shower shoes
• Towels (rentals are available for $4)
• Snacks – there is no restaurant or snack bar available. No glass bottles allowed, no alcohol allowed.
• Quarters for the lockers

Pool floats not allowed.

My visit to Yellowstone Hot Springs

I visited the hot springs twice on my trip, during two consecutive days (that’s how much I loved it!) I visited in the afternoon (around 2pm) both days and found that while there were plenty of people here, I didn’t think it was overcrowded by any means. I was easily able to find a chair and table and there was plenty of room in all of the different pools to relax.

To visit Yellowstone Hot Springs, you’ll pay admission and then be directed to the locker room. The locker room had restrooms, changing areas and showers. You are required to shower before entering the pools. The locker rooms were clean and tidy and individual lockers are available for 50 cents. Once you’re finished changing in the locker room, you can head out directly to the hot springs.

There are four different pools to use at Yellowstone Hot Springs:

• Hot Pool (Temps from 103 degrees F to 105 degrees F)
• Mid Pool (temps from 98-100 degrees F)
• Cold Plunge (temps from 60-65 degrees F)
• Kneipp Walk (a walk-through hot springs soak for your feet, alternating from hot to cold water)

I absolutely loved coming here. Although there are no lifeguards on duty, there is usually a staff member walking around, explaining how to get the most out of the hot springs – as in, how to use the Kneipp walk, how to use the hot pool and cold plunge, etc. Going from the hot pool to the cold plunge is quite invigorating! I highly recommend following the staff member’s advice as it’ll really make your experience much better than if you just fart around in the mid-pool the whole time — you’ll get a great night’s sleep!

There are plenty of tables and chairs for sunbathing, relaxing or enjoying a picnic lunch. The landscaping here is fantastic – especially with the mountains rising up in the distance.

The mid-pool is the largest and “main” hot springs pool, and the pool in which you’ll likely find yourself spending the majority of your time. The two other pools – the hot pool and the cold plunge – are raised pools in a circle, near the mid pool. The Kneipp Walk offers the mineral water benefits just for your feet; walk on one side for the cold water, then walk on the other side for hot water. Repeat the process several times by walking on both sides to improve circulation (try it! You will immediately feel the effects!)

I spent about 2 hours here during both of my visits. I probably would’ve spent more time here, maybe packed a lunch or something, but I was traveling solo and had my dog waiting for me back at my cabin.

Final Thoughts – Yellowstone Hot Springs

If you need a break from driving around Yellowstone National Park or just want to relax for the day instead of fighting through another bison jam, this is the place!

Pros

• Absolutely fantastic hot springs! Mineral water makes you feel so relaxed afterwards.
• Busy place, but never felt crowded.
• Friendly staff
• Lovely manicured grounds
• Rules enforced for everyone’s relaxation – no pool toys, no alcohol, no speakers! No horseplay allowed here!

Cons:

• Closed on Mondays during the summer (otherwise I probably would’ve went here three times!)
• Could get expensive for a family.
• You might not want to go back to Yellowstone!

Have you been to Yellowstone Hot Springs? What did you think?