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Sour Lake

Lakes

Sour Lake

Highlight • Lake

Sour Lake

Name: Sour Lake
Rating: 2

Recommended by 11 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Yellowstone National Park

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Location: Park County, Wyoming, United States

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Best Hikes to Sour Lake

2.0

(1)

hikers

1. Black Dragon's Caldron – Sour Lake loop from Mammoth

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

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2. Dragon's Mouth Spring – Churning Caldron loop from Mammoth

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

Tips

Jamie S.

August 30, 2024

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

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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Details

Informations

Elevation 2,390 m

Weather

Today

Tuesday 4 November

6°C

-2°C

59 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Park County, Wyoming, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Mud Volcano Trail

Punalau Beach

Churning Caldron

Black Dragon's Caldron

Natural Bridge of Yellowstone National Park

Storm Point Trail

Dragon's Mouth Spring

Lower Falls

View of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lower Falls

Mud Volcano

Inspiration Point, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River

Mud Pots and Geysers, Yellowstone National Park

Sour Lake

1. Black Dragon's Caldron – Sour Lake loop from Mammoth

2. Dragon's Mouth Spring – Churning Caldron loop from Mammoth

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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