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Hike to Artist's Paint Pots

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

4.6/5
based on 8 reviews

Details

Distance

1.05 miles

Elevation Gain

105 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Edward Day

Artist's Paint Pots is a mellow hike in Yellowstone National Park that leads to multi-colored geothermal hot springs.

From the parking lot, follow the boardwalk pathway until you reach the springs. The hike itself is pretty self explanatory. It is a very easy hike and very short. We did this hike to break up some of the driving through Yellowstone. The hike loops around the springs and comes back to the parking lot. The milky blue pools are caused by the silica that is suspended in the water and gives this place its name.

Note: These hot springs are for viewing only.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Family Friendly
Forest
Groups
Hot Springs
Scenic

Reviews

This was fun and less crowded than other easy hikes in the park. Interesting part of yellowstone; easy trail to follow and easy in general.

This unique feature is easy to access and worth a few to experience something that only happens in a few places on earth.

Artist Paint Pots includes a variety of geothermal features along its boardwalk trail, including small hot springs, steam vents, and of course the paint pots themselves, which are essentially boiling mud (a warning sign on the boardwalk reads "Caution: hot flying mud!"). I'd recommend making this stop for a quick hike when driving the main loop through the park.

I love this area and its easy access. I have actually been there in both summer and winter and it is gorgeous both times of year. I always recommend going early in the day or later in the evening to any trails and viewing areas with parking lots. The amount of visitors drops tremendously and it makes for a much more enjoyable venture out.

We stopped in here as we were driving south, quick stop. It was a nice short hike through some new forest towards the Paint Pots. They were very colorful and interesting to look at. A one-time visit for sure.

The Artist's Paint Pots are great for a small hike and they reward with wonderful colors.

A feature of Yellowstone that is probably not on your must-see list, but is a great hike to break up the drive along Grand Loop Road.

There's something very relaxing about watching the paint pots - a unique part of Yellowstone's that's well worth the short hike!

Leave No Trace

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

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Let Adventure be your Destination in Wyoming

Wyoming’s wide-open spaces make it easy to get off the grid and on a trail, through a park, into a forest, up a mountain or down a river. During your journey through Wyoming’s Black to Yellow Region, discover geologic marvels, dense evergreen forests and sprawling prairielands.

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