Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of springs created over thousands of years. Hot water from the springs cooled and deposited calcium carbonate, leaving behind dramatic bleached white hues of frozen cascading terraced pools.
It runs alongside and spills into the Gardner River. There are small areas on the edge of the river where the water is not boiling as it mixes with the very cold water of the river.
Wolves, elks, coyotes, and the occasional grizzly bear frequent the area to graze, drink, and feed. We only saw bison, but in the distance once were wolves.
The Yellowstone River runs through here, plunging 109 feet at the Upper Falls and then another 308 feet at the spectacular Lower Falls down into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
This area of muddy hot springs and fumaroles are located near one of the Yellowstone Volcano’s vents. You will see the steam rising from the road as you drive through here.