MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS - YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Mammoth Hot Springs - Yellowstone

The travertine terraces of Yellowstone National Park, commonly known as Mammoth Hot Springs, are located at the northern end of the park.

This is the site where Fort Yellowstone was built in 1891. These terraces are formed by hot water from the Norris Geyser basin. This water travels underground by a fault line that runs through limestone. The shallow circulation along this waterway allows the superhot water from Norris to cool to about 170°F before surfacing at Mammoth Hot Springs. The beautiful colors in these pools come from algae that live in the water and they tint the limestone in shades ranging from brown to green to orange to red. 

The largest known carbonate depositing spring in the world is Terrace Mountain at Mammoth Hot Springs. A series of travertine terraces known as Minerva Terrace is the most famous feature off Mammoth Hot Springs.

Mammoth Hot Springs is located on what is referred to as the "upper loop" off the roads in the park.

It is at Mammoth Hot Springs that you will see the buildings that were constructed to house the soldiers who were stationed at Fort Yellowstone and the majority of these buildings are in use today.

The area at Mammoth Springs is also a favorite hangout for the elk. In addition to being able to view the wildlife there, you will discover that a great deal of the history of Yellowstone National Park can be found at Mammoth Hot Springs.