Swim in the Firehole River

44.618301,-110.860077

4.5/5

based on 4 reviews

Save

View all 4 photos

All 4 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Description

Added by Adam Franklin

A great swimming hole in the west of Yellowstone. There's easy access, it's family friendly/great for the kids, and the water is warm.

The Firehole River Swimming Hole is on the southern portion of Firehole Canyon Rd inside the park, near the West Entrance to Yellowstone. The road is a one way loop from north to south. There are restrooms at the parking area, which can become quite crowded on a warm day. Parking is immediately above the swimming hole.

The main pool is large and mostly shallow. The water is quite warm, in the high 70's to low 80's, but still refreshing on a hot day. The highlight of this spot is a very short hike upstream, around a large rock, to a submerged rock ledge, only a few inches underwater. From this ledge you can slip into a narrow channel of quick moving water that takes you for a ride and shoots you out into the large main pool.

In a park where there are few opportunities to get wet, this is a stop not to miss. The road closes in winter.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Download GPX File

Features

Fitness

Photography

Bathrooms

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Swimming Hole

Swim in the Firehole River Reviews

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Swim in the Firehole River

09/22/20

Be sure to do this on a weekday when the crowds are smaller.

4.0

Natalie F

Swim in the Firehole River

07/25/20

Refreshing and beautiful. Crowded, we lucked out on a parking spot and parked on the road.

4.0

Explorer

Michael Martineau

Explorer

Swim in the Firehole River

02/16/18

While I didn't get to swim in the river, because I visited in winter, I got to stand next to it and daydream about jumping in during the warmer months. It looks like a perfect summer spot to take a dip. I was amazed though, our guide told us at the water temp at the time we visited (early Feb.) was about mid 40's. The air temp was 15. Because of the hot pools, the water temps in the park are significantly higher than you'd think. This just made me want to go explore the swimable hot springs.

5.0

Dan Creer

Swim in the Firehole River

01/16/16

Great little adventure with little ones. It can get crowded but still worth it. A great way to participate in nature at Yellowstone and not just watch with some of the other attractions at Yellowstone

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Fly Fish the Firehole River

The Firehole River is one of the most unique trout-fishing rivers in the world, behaving in a manner unlike any other river in the Rockies due to the unique geothermal features found all along the length of the river. It is not known as a big-fish river but they are plentiful, with sizes averaging 8" to 12" and Brown and Rainbow Trout in good numbers, and Brook Trout in the headwaters. Cutthroa...

Explore Firehole Falls

The Yellowstone Supervolcano is one of the most active geothermal areas on earth with more hot springs than anywhere else on the planet. The walls of the massive caldera of often hidden under snow and forest, but in places like Firehole Canyon you can see the Firehole River cut through massive lava flows. The Falls themselves can be found along Firehole Canyon Road about 16 miles east of West Y...

Sentinel Meadows to Fairy Falls and Imperial Geyser

This hike starts on a long, straight, wide and flat path due south from the trailhead. After about a half a mile, you will come to the "Ojo Caliente" spring and a bridge crossing the Firehole River. If you go down below either side of the bridge, you'll see dozens of bird's nests. Right after the bridge, take a right, and follow this mostly flat trail around a few hills and into spacious vie...

Gibbon Falls

Gibbon Falls is a stunning, 84-foot waterfall in Yellowstone National Park. The falls are located just off the side of the Yellowstone Grand Loop Road, between Madison Junction and Norris Junction, making it a great place to stop and stretch your legs. There is a pullout with easy parking and information boards, as well as a short walkway along the canyon rim. Most people crowd around the sto...

Drive The Firehole Lake Loop

Firehole Lake Drive is a 2 mile one way road, near the Lower Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. This is one of the hidden gems in Yosemite where you'll find solitude and quietness. You may see a few people here on a busy day, but you can often find yourself alone.While driving around the loop, there is ample parking for several unique thermal features in this area. Park in any of the pu...

Explore Midway Geyser Basin

If you have ever seen images of Yellowstone besides Old Faithful, this is it. The Midway Geyser Basin is one of the most colorful and steamy hot spring basins in the world. The best way to get the view is from above. Getting here is really easy: head south toward Old Faithful on the southwestern side of the park. The Midway Geyser Basin is located about two miles north of Old Faithful. Once yo...

Swim in the Firehole River

Description

Download the Outbound mobile app

Features

Swim in the Firehole River Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Fly Fish the Firehole River

Explore Firehole Falls

Sentinel Meadows to Fairy Falls and Imperial Geyser

Gibbon Falls

Drive The Firehole Lake Loop

Explore Midway Geyser Basin

Discover

Community

Company

Follow Us

Mobile Apps