Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace Trails, WY

Warning
This is bear country! Be prepared with your bear spray accessible! Grizzly and black bears both populate the area.


Overview
This is a great short loop hike to see the standard boardwalk loops with touristy thermal features that then goes to a one-way road with lesser-seen thermal features, followed by the crown jewel of the hike: a backcountry thermal area and a pretty forested trail.History
The Harry Eaton Trail is named after a guide who offered horseback tours in the late 1800s to early 1900s. After his death in 1923, the National Park Service named a trail in his honor. The original trail was 157 miles long and had a similar route to the Grand Loop Road. NPS stopped maintaining the trail in the 1970s due to bear habitat, but some sections of the original trail remain.

The Narrow Gauge Terrace was named due to its appearance like a raised flat platform ready for a narrow gauge train track. The terrace has its origin from hot spring vents along a ground fracture. The mineralized water from the vents built up the Narrow Gauge terrace over time.

Prologue
Park at any of the three trailheads that access the Mammoth Springs thermal area boardwalk loops. Be prepared to wait for a spot, or consider parking at the Sepulcher/Beaver Ponds Trailhead and walking over to the boardwalk (of course, there may not be room at that lot, either!).

Hike
Start somewhere in the boardwalk loops and take in the super popular Mammoth Springs Thermal area, which has many thermal features. Some thermal features are more impressive than others, mostly due to their activity levels. If the features are active at the time you are there, then they are really something to see. Some features haven't been active for a long time and then look sad as they are dry, mainly white, and crumbling. But there is a good mix with plenty of the best thermal features on display when you walk around. Be prepared for massive crowds and fighting for parking spaces, especially during the peak summer season. Yellowstone is a super popular place, and Mammoth Springs is definitely a well-loved, much-visited site. There are many interpretive signs to read along the way, and many little wooden signs identifying the names of thermal features. Depending on when you arrive, there may be a ranger offering tidbits of information about the Mammoth Hot Springs area. If possible, it would be best to arrive at the terraces earlier in the morning, as this drastically reduces the number of people you will see on the boardwalk!

After completing your stroll on the boardwalk, head over to the one-way driving loop that you can walk. There were few cars driving midweek, but the road walk is relatively short to the next trail. On the road walk, there are a few more features to be seen, including the White Elephant Back terrace and the Orange Spring mound. These are interesting features, though not anywhere near as showy as the best features seen on the Mammoth Springs terraces while walking the boardwalk loops. However, it is nice to escape the crowds. You can access the one-way Upper Terrace Drive road via the trail towards the Upper Terrace Trailhead.

After walking along the road and enjoying the features, the trail junction for the Harold Eaton trail is right next to the Orange Spring Mound. This is a large, interesting feature that is aptly named. ? Locate the trail across the road from the Orange Spring Mound, and turn right. This trail parallels the road for a while before leaving it behind. The trail is very lush and green, and when we were there, it was absolutely FILLED with wildflowers!! What an absolute treat to experience!

After the trail departs the road, there is an amazing thermal area to the right of the trail called the Narrow Gauge terrace, as well as the Cheops Mound. This area is truly impressive, and very likely you will have it all to yourself, as it is off the beaten path. This is the best part of the hike: being able to enjoy great thermal features in solitude!

After looking your fill at the wondrous features, continue onward. The trail is in the forest and very lush. To your right is an alternate view of the Mammoth Springs terraces. After a bit, you come to the junction with the Beaver Ponds Trail, along with a small footbridge to cross. Take a right to head back to the trailheads. When we were passing this junction, we passed a huge group of deer that were frankly pretty annoyed that we were there and that they had to move off the trail. ?? Shortly after the Junction, you arrive at the Sepulcher/Beaver Pond trailhead and civilization. Head back to whichever Trailhead/parking lot that you were able to park at!? Enjoy the giant Liberty Cap, which is a giant 37-foot bell-shaped hot spring cone. There is also a neat stone house at the Trailhead.

Water Sources
No water sources on this hike.

Camping
No camping is allowed on the trails in the 4.1-mile loop. The Mammoth Springs Campground is just past town. It accepts reservations. In town, there are also cabins available for rent, as well as the historic Mammoth hotel.

Note
If you want to make the hike longer, you can make a left at the last junction and head out on the Beaver Pond trail. It is 0.7 miles to the Sepulcher Mountain trail; bear right and hike 2.5 miles to Beaver Ponds. Continue on 1.8 miles until you hit the Beaver Ponds Trailhead, which is near the hotel. From there, walk along the main road in town back to Liberty Cap and the other terrace boardwalk parking areas beyond.

Synopsis
This is a great little hike that takes you to a secluded backcountry thermal area that is off the beaten path. Definitely a worthwhile trip!

2025-09-09 Vashti