Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Natural Monuments

Black Dragon's Cauldron

Natural Monuments

Black Dragon's Cauldron

Highlight • Natural Monument

Black Dragon's Cauldron

Name: Black Dragon's Cauldron
Rating: 2

Recommended by 11 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: {{link, react}}

Yellowstone National Park

Save

Location: Park County, Wyoming, United States

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Black Dragon's Cauldron

4.6

(7)

hikers

1. Mud Volcano Trail Loop — Yellowstone National Park

1.64km

00:27

30m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

2.0

(1)

hikers

2. 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.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

hikers

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

5.35km

01:25

50m

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

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

Chuck Heckman

May 9, 2023

This swirling and bubbling mudpit has been around since 1948, when it mysterious appeared and swallowed the trees surrounding it. Over the years the caldron has thrown out large bursts of mud, sometimes over 20 feet in the air. All of the churning has caused the pit to increase in size in the decades since its creation, and it now stands at over 200 feet in diameter.

Biene

October 27, 2024

Very active bubbling pool with explosive history.

Translated by Google •

Sigrid

October 5, 2025

The Black Dragon's Caldron is one of the most dramatic and relatively recent geothermal phenomena in the Mud Volcano Area of Yellowstone National Park. Unlike many thermal springs that have existed since the park's discovery, the Black Dragon's Caldron was a relatively recent development. It erupted through a crack in the ground during the winter of 1947/1948 and was discovered in June 1948. Upon its formation, the eruption was very violent. It uprooted surrounding trees and covered them with thick mud, creating a ghostly, dead forest.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 2,380 m

Weather

Today

Monday 24 November

1°C

-15°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Park County, Wyoming, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Dragon's Mouth Spring

Mud Volcano Area, Yellowstone National Park

View of Lower Falls and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from Artist Point

South Rim Trail

Lower Yellowstone Falls

Sour Lake

Lower Falls Overlook

Upper Yellowstone Falls

Mud Volcano Trailhead

Grizzly Fumarole

Upper Falls Viewpoint

Inspiration Point - Mid Overlook

Black Dragon's Cauldron

1. Mud Volcano Trail Loop — Yellowstone National Park

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

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

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️