Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces – Palette Springs loop from Mammoth

Hiking trails & Routes

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces – Palette Springs loop from Mammoth

Easy

2.7

(5)

hikers

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces – Palette Springs loop from Mammoth

01:02

3.72km

70m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Yellowstone National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

704 m

Liberty Cap, Mammoth Hot Springs

Highlight • Natural Monument

Just a minute west from the Park Headquarters the road rolls literally alongside the steaming colorful hot spring travertine terraces. The first sight is the standing tower of a dormant hot spring cone

Tip by

990 m

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces

Highlight • Natural Monument

Terraces formed by deposits from hot springs cascading down the hillside over thousands of years

Tip by

1.49 km

Mound Spring & Jupiter Terrace

Highlight • Natural Monument

These are not like gushing geysers, but rather constantly changing formations made by hot, mineral-rich water. Jupiter Terrace used to flow a lot, even covering parts of the boardwalk. Mound …

Tip by

1.84 km

Mammoth Terraces Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The Mammoth Terraces Trail is a loop trail that takes you pass the Mammoth Terraces, which are interesting rock formations made by the thermal water flowing across the rock. There …

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2.39 km

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces

Highlight • Natural Monument

Famous for its amazing terraces made of rock. Hot water from underground rises to the surface, bringing minerals with it. As the water cools, these minerals, mostly calcium carbonate, are …

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2.46 km

Palette Springs

Highlight • Natural Monument

Hot, mineral rich water from a nearby spring flows down the ridge at Palette Springs, leaving behind stalactite like formations called thermophiles. The entire small hill looks like a staircase made of white and brown steps.

Tip by

2.59 km

Liberty Cap

Highlight • Natural Monument

This ancient rock formation is the remnants of a now extinct thermal vent. The tower of limestone stands at 40 feet tall and is only a short walk from the parking lot.

Tip by

3.22 km

Albright Visitor Center & Ranger Station - Mammoth

Highlight • Rest Area

Grand spacious architecture in the nation's first National Park. Wonder why they built such an enormous post office, just to handle all the post cards? 😁

Tip by

3.72 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types