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Sour Lake

Sour Lake

Highlight • Lake

Sour Lake

Hiking

5.0

(11)

This Highlight is in a protected area

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Yellowstone National Park

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Location: Park County, Wyoming, United States

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Tips

Jamie S.

August 30, 2024

Hiking

Sour Lake is located in Yellowstone National Park and is a highly acidic body of water. The lake's extreme acidity is because of the microorganisms that live in it; they convert high levels of sulfur in the area into sulfuric acid. This process not only makes the water highly corrosive but also contributes to the lake's distinctive blue color. Sour Lake is not suitable for swimming or any direct contact due to its dangerous acidity so please only take photos and stay on the designated path.

Sigrid

October 5, 2025

Hiking

Sour Lake is a well-known geothermal feature in the Mud Volcano Area of Yellowstone National Park. This area is famous for its unusual and extremely acidic mud springs and thermal pools. Sour Lake is one of the most acidic thermal pools in Yellowstone, formed by the geological and microbial processes in the Mud Volcano Area.

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Nearby routes

Best routes near Sour Lake

hikers

#1.

Black Dragon's Cauldron – Sour Lake loop from Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area

3.36km

00:54

30m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

2.0

(1)

hikers

#2.

Black Dragon's Cauldron – Sour Lake loop from Mud Pots

3.63km

00:58

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

hikers

#3.

Dragon's Mouth Spring – Mud Geyser loop from Hayden Valley

5.27km

01:23

50m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

Details

Informations

Elevation 2,390 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 6 May

10°C

-10°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 25.0 km/h

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See nearby routes

Take Me There

Location: Park County, Wyoming, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Punalau Beach

Black Dragon's Caldron

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Dragon's Mouth Spring

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Mud Pots and Geysers, Yellowstone National Park

LeHardy's Rapids Trail

Sour Lake

#1.

Black Dragon's Cauldron – Sour Lake loop from Nez Perce Ford Picnic Area

#2.

Black Dragon's Cauldron – Sour Lake loop from Mud Pots

#3.

Dragon's Mouth Spring – Mud Geyser loop from Hayden Valley

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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