Grand Canyon Of The Yellowstone: North Rim Parking Lot
Parking lot
4.9 (56)
Wyoming 82190
Restroom
Swimming Status And Closure GuideWY
Yellowstone National Park Swimming Spots
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Check Yellowstone swimming restrictions: Firehole swim area closed, Boiling River unavailable, and hot-spring soaking prohibited. Consult current NPS updates.
Swimming temporarily closed
Do not plan a swim while this recorded closure remains in effect. Check the managing authority for reopening; other park activities may have different rules.
Firehole swim area is closed and Boiling River swimming is unavailable as of the October 5, 2026 NPS review. Hot-spring soaking is prohibited. These restrictions do not claim a blanket ban on all Yellowstone waters.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Swimming Status And Closure Guide
Swimming status
Swimming temporarily closed
Fee
Must pay fee to enter Yellowstone N.P.
Best season
No swimming date recommended while the reviewed areas are unavailable. An estimated seasonal opening is not reopening confirmation
Nearby towns
Yellowstone N.P
Water body
Firehole River And Boiling River: Swimming Unavailable At Review
Status summarizes our reviewed record, not today's opening or safety. Check current rules, swimming boundaries and notices before visiting.
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Yellowstone N.P
Access location not verified
YELLOWSTONE N.P., WY
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Yellowstone swimming: check closures first
As checked on October 5, 2026, the National Park Service lists the Firehole River Swim Area as closed. It also says swimming is not possible at Boiling River because of damage from the 2022 floods. Do not plan a swimming visit to either location based on older guides or photographs. This page remains available to explain the restrictions, not to recommend an open swimming destination.
Firehole Canyon is not currently an open swim stop
The designated swim area is on Firehole Canyon Drive near Madison Junction. An older place page contains an estimated seasonal opening window, but the newer NPS current-conditions page, updated September 29, still states that it is closed. A calendar date or an open road does not override a swim-area closure. Wait for an explicit NPS status change and follow signs on arrival.
Boiling River and thermal features
Boiling River is not an available soaking alternative. Yellowstone also prohibits soaking in hot springs. The park identifies additional swimming and wading restrictions in sections of the Firehole River at Midway and Upper Geyser basins, and no swimming in Bridge Bay Marina Channel. Do not assume that a river near a thermal feature is a permitted substitute.
Rules if Firehole reopens
NPS limits swimming to designated hours and closes the area at night. Swimwear is required. Cliff or tree jumping, diving, climbing, soaps and similar substances are prohibited. Food, drinks and containers are not allowed in the swim area, nor are tubes, rafts, noodles and similar water toys. These rules describe the designated area's operation when open; they do not grant access during a closure.
Facilities and planning
The Firehole place page lists a vault or composting toilet and warns of limited parking. NPS says lifeguards are not present. Check the official swimming guidance for water-related precautions and do not interpret shallow-looking water as suitable for children. We have withdrawn the old family-wading recommendation and the incorrect claim that there are no toilets.
The former shared map point was outside Yellowstone and has been removed. Use NPS maps for an authorized sightseeing visit, and check roads separately from swimming status. Park admission and campground arrangements are separate from permission to enter the water.
Sources: current NPS conditions, Firehole area rules and facilities, and Yellowstone swimming restrictions. This is a dated desk review, not an onsite inspection.
Getting There
Do not follow this listing to enter a closed swimming area. Firehole is near Madison Junction on Firehole Canyon Drive. Consult NPS maps and current road conditions for permitted sightseeing, and check the separate swimming status before any water activity.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
NPS current conditions checked October 5, 2026: Firehole River Swim Area closed; Boiling River swimming unavailable after 2022 flood impacts. Check for an explicit NPS reopening before planning a swim.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Firehole swim area is closed and Boiling River swimming is unavailable as of the October 5, 2026 NPS review. Hot-spring soaking is prohibited. These restrictions do not claim a blanket ban on all Yellowstone waters. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
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RestroomRunning waterTent sites
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Picturesque campground with spaces for tents & campers, plus showers, toilets & bear-proof storage.
Public showerRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellowstone National Park Swimming Spots
Is Firehole Swim Area currently listed open?
No. NPS swimming and current-conditions pages both list it closed in the October 22 review. An estimated opening date or an open road does not override that status.
Is Boiling River an alternative soaking stop?
No. NPS says swimming remains unavailable because of the 2022 flood impacts. Do not plan it as a substitute for closed Firehole.
Can I soak in Yellowstone hot springs?
No. NPS prohibits soaking in hot springs and restricts swimming and wading in specified Firehole River sections. A nearby river is not automatically a permitted alternative.
Are facilities information and photographs proof Firehole is open?
No. NPS lists two vault toilets, but still marks the swim area closed. A facility description or older photograph does not grant water access.
Would swimming be supervised if Firehole reopens?
NPS says lifeguards are not present. Check for an explicit reopening and current rules; designated hours apply only when the area is operating.
Highlights
Firehole swim area listed closed
Boiling River swimming unavailable
Hot-spring soaking prohibited
Check current NPS notices
Unique Features
NPS-managed volcanic landscape
Designated Firehole swim area subject to closures
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not enter closed swimming areas
- Do not soak in hot springs
- Follow NPS water and wildlife guidance
- An open road or an old swimming photograph does not establish permission
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Yellowstone is a protected national park; use NPS interpretation for its natural and cultural history.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from permitted viewpoints. Photos of rivers or thermal features must not imply current swimming access.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Stay on designated routes, respect thermal-feature barriers and obey swimming closures.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
No swimming date recommended while the reviewed areas are unavailable. An estimated seasonal opening is not reopening confirmation.
Difficulty Level
Not an available swim outing at the review date. Sightseeing access is subject to NPS road and area restrictions.
Fee
Must pay fee to enter Yellowstone N.P.
Facilities
NPS lists a vault or composting toilet at Firehole and limited parking. No lifeguards. A listed facility does not mean the swim area is open.
Activities
Check NPS closures; sightseeing only where permitted
Phone
307-344-7381 (Yellowstone National Park)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Check NPS campground information and reservations; a campsite does not authorize swimming.
Nearby Attractions
- Madison Junction area - Park area
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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