This question is mostly asked, that can I swim in a geyser in Yellowstone?
Answer is always NO, swimming in Yellowstone thermal features is illegal and aside from that geysers are too hot for swimming. Hot enough to boil partially. No one gets smile in such boiling condition.
One should never touch the water in geyser pool. There are separate pools in geyser basins, which are cool enough for swimming. Yellowstone Rivers, aside from in a small stretch of the Fire hole River, along the Gardner River outside of Mammoth Hot Springs, and in the Bechler region, is prohibited. Yet rangers don’t seem to be enforcing that rule very stringently.
Outflow or runoff channels are considered part of thermal feature and are off limits. However you can swim in river where hot flow channels enter the cold rivers. Depending on water levels, you can also swim at the Boiling River near Mammoth Hot Springs. Just north of Mammoth, on the way to Gardiner, MT, you will see the road on the right hand side that takes you to the springs. It’s marked. The Boiling River is an area where hot springs combine with the Gardner River. It’s a bit challenging finding the right spot within those springs; it’s easy to find a really hot spot right next to a really cold spot.
A good place to just swim in cooler water is the Fire hole Canyon. It’s between Old Faithful and Madison Junction. If you head west on Fire hole Canyon Drive, you’ll certainly see several cars pulled over near the area where people go swimming. It’s fun there because you can start out before the canyon, and let the current pull you through a narrow slot like a chute. Fun! The problem there is that people dive off the walls, and it’s not safe. People have been seriously injured, and I believe killed, there from jumping from the canyon walls.
There are two rules to remember if you go there.
Number one its illegal to swim in boiling water. But you can swim in pool within the Gardiner River where the Boiling River falls in the much colder Gardiner River. You will enter above or below the pool through the cold river and making your way to the hot water. It looks supernatural standing with one foot in 130-degree water and other in icy mountain stream water.
Second thing to remember is that if there is sign “area is closed” then never enter the river. You will caught and will be fined. The park service often closes it from time to time in summer to protect it and allow the vegetation to grow. The crowd sometimes gets so large it becomes hard for Rangers to handle them.
Outside of Yellowstone in north of the Park are some warm springs, which are good for soaking tired feet. Locals in Gardiner area can help you to find them.
Good luck and be safe and protect the thermal features of Yellowstone.
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