Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Firehole River (Yellowstone), Worldwide. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Wyoming, USA
- Country
- Worldwide
- Biome
- Yellowstone plateau (2,200 m)
- Best season
- May – October
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Canoeing
Key takeaways
- Biome: Yellowstone plateau (2,200 m)
- Best season: May – October
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Firehole River (Yellowstone)
Topic summary
Yellowstone's geothermal river — 80°F water and trout stack in cool riffles.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – October
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Yellowstone plateau (2,200 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Bear Country Food StorageBear country: canister, Ursack or hang, and the local rules.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
Plan with verified data
Firehole River (Yellowstone) trip tools
How to get there
Yellowstone National Park lies mainly in northwestern Wyoming, with portions in Montana and Idaho. Paved roads reach major geothermal areas and some lakes and waterfalls. Confirm Firehole-specific driving directions and river access with the National Park Service before setting out; park-wide road access does not establish access to a particular river reach.
- Old Faithful
A major Yellowstone geothermal landmark for park-wide orientation and sightseeing. This is not identified here as a Firehole River access point; confirm any intended river approach with park staff.
- Yellowstone Lake
A large, high-elevation lake within Yellowstone and a separate park destination. It is not a confirmed Firehole River launch or trailhead.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Firehole River (Yellowstone)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Fishing
Resident gamefish, seasons, and the water that holds them.
- Canoeing
Paddle routes, portages, and put-ins.
Animals around Firehole River (Yellowstone)
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Firehole River (Yellowstone)Amazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Firehole River (Yellowstone)
Planning to fish Firehole River (Yellowstone), Wyoming? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Wyoming are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Firehole River (Yellowstone)?
- A Wyoming fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Wyoming fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Firehole River (Yellowstone)
Thinking about hunting Firehole River (Yellowstone), Wyoming? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Wyoming are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Firehole River (Yellowstone)?
- Confirm the land around Firehole River (Yellowstone) is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Wyoming?
- A Wyoming hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Firehole River in its Yellowstone setting
Plan a Firehole River visit within the wider setting of Yellowstone National Park, which lies mainly in northwestern Wyoming and extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone combines rivers, canyons, lakes, mountain ranges, and extensive geothermal terrain; subalpine forest is its most abundant biome. Paved roads provide close access to major geothermal areas and some lakes and waterfalls, making road-based sightseeing one way to experience the park. That broad accessibility should not be mistaken for confirmed riverbank access at a particular location. Before choosing a Firehole outing, confirm the actual access point and intended activity with park staff. The places and outing options below provide park-wide orientation, not verified Firehole trailheads, boat launches, or river routes.
A volcanic landscape with abundant wildlife
Yellowstone’s geothermal character comes from ongoing volcanism, with lava flows and volcanic rocks covering much of the park. Well over half of the world’s geysers and hydrothermal features occur here, and Old Faithful is one of its best-known landmarks. This is a landscape to explore through designated visitor access rather than by treating every stretch of ground or water as ordinary backcountry. Wildlife also shapes trip planning: Yellowstone supports grizzly bears, wolves, cougars, bison, and elk, within the larger Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Give animals space and avoid allowing a wildlife sighting to draw attention away from footing or surroundings. Carry suitable layers and water, and seek current park guidance before heading away from developed sightseeing areas.
Choosing an outing and preparing for conditions
Yellowstone offers hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and sightseeing, but those park-wide activities do not establish what is appropriate or available on a particular Firehole River reach. Decide whether the goal is a scenic stop, a walk, or a water-based activity, then ask the National Park Service to confirm a suitable location and current requirements. Winter changes the practical shape of a Yellowstone trip: visitors often travel through snowy conditions on guided snowcoach or snowmobile tours. Do not assume a road-based plan will work unchanged in winter. Forest fires also occur in the park each year, so check current conditions before committing to an itinerary. Keep the schedule flexible enough to adjust to weather, wildlife, and agency advice.
Route options
- Old Faithful sightseeing
A park-wide sightseeing alternative centered on one of Yellowstone’s best-known geysers. Use current park information to select visitor access; no connecting Firehole River route is established here.
- Yellowstone Lake landscape visit
A separate Yellowstone outing focused on the lake and its volcanic setting: Yellowstone Lake covers part of the Yellowstone Caldera. Confirm a suitable visitor destination with park staff rather than treating this as a Firehole River itinerary.
Sample itineraries
- One-day Yellowstone orientation · 1 day
Before setting out for the Firehole River, confirm access with Yellowstone National Park. Build a flexible sightseeing day around the park’s geothermal landscape and Old Faithful. Use established visitor areas rather than assuming riverside access or a connecting trail.
- Two-day geothermal and wildlife visit · 2 days
Spend one day exploring Yellowstone’s major geothermal visitor areas, including Old Faithful. Use the second for wildlife observation and a hike suited to current conditions. Confirm Firehole River access separately; this is a park-based plan, not a mapped river route.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring; confirm current access before travel
Plan conservatively for a mountain setting. Check weather and road conditions before choosing hiking or sightseeing stops, and carry layers rather than relying on mild conditions.
Summer
Summer; check current park conditions
Hiking, camping, fishing, and sightseeing are Yellowstone activities, but river-specific suitability needs separate confirmation. Forest fires occur in the park each year; check fire information before committing to outdoor plans.
Fall
Fall; verify conditions near departure
Keep plans flexible in Yellowstone’s mountain landscape. Check weather and access, pack insulating layers, and choose outings that can be shortened if conditions deteriorate.
Winter
Winter; snowy travel conditions
Winter visitors often reach the park through guided snowcoach or snowmobile tours. Confirm whether an available tour serves the intended destination rather than assuming ordinary road access to the Firehole River.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring; confirm current access before travel | Plan conservatively for a mountain setting. Check weather and road conditions before choosing hiking or sightseeing stops, and carry layers rather than relying on mild conditions. |
| Summer | Summer; check current park conditions | Hiking, camping, fishing, and sightseeing are Yellowstone activities, but river-specific suitability needs separate confirmation. Forest fires occur in the park each year; check fire information before committing to outdoor plans. |
| Fall | Fall; verify conditions near departure | Keep plans flexible in Yellowstone’s mountain landscape. Check weather and access, pack insulating layers, and choose outings that can be shortened if conditions deteriorate. |
| Winter | Winter; snowy travel conditions | Winter visitors often reach the park through guided snowcoach or snowmobile tours. Confirm whether an available tour serves the intended destination rather than assuming ordinary road access to the Firehole River. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements, activity rules, and access arrangements with Yellowstone National Park before visiting the Firehole River.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Geothermal features require caution. Use established visitor routes and do not approach or enter thermal water.
- Yellowstone supports grizzly bears, cougars, wolves, bison, and elk. Give wildlife space and never approach animals for photographs.
- Forest fires occur in Yellowstone each year. Check current fire information and adjust plans when necessary.
- Snowy winter conditions change how visitors reach the park. Verify transportation and access before departure.
- Do not assume a river is suitable for swimming, wading, or boating because those activities occur elsewhere in a park. Confirm local rules and conditions.
What to pack for Firehole River (Yellowstone)
- Insulating layers
- Weather-resistant outer layer
- Season-appropriate footwear
- Warm hat and gloves for cold conditions
- Drinking water
- Food
- Navigation tools
- First-aid kit
- Binoculars for observing animals without approaching
- Camera with a zoom lens
- Daypack
Wildlife you may see
- Grizzly bears inhabit Yellowstone; prepare for travel in bear country.
- Bison roam freely in the park; observe without approaching.
- Elk occur in free-ranging herds.
- Wolves inhabit Yellowstone, but sightings are not guaranteed.
- Cougars inhabit the park.
- Yellowstone supports many bird and fish species.
Firehole River (Yellowstone) FAQ
- Where is the Firehole River destination?
- This trip focuses on Yellowstone in Wyoming. The national park lies mainly in northwestern Wyoming, with smaller portions extending into Montana and Idaho.
- Can a visit include Old Faithful?
- Old Faithful is a major Yellowstone geothermal attraction and a useful sightseeing component of a park visit. Check the practical travel arrangements separately; do not assume a direct river trail or access connection.
- Can visitors fish in the Firehole River?
- Fishing is a Yellowstone recreational activity. Confirm Firehole-specific rules, permit requirements, and current conditions with the park before planning to fish.
- Is swimming or wading part of this plan?
- No. Confirm whether water access is permitted and appropriate at the intended location. Yellowstone’s geothermal setting makes assumptions about water safety particularly unwise.
- How does winter travel differ?
- Snow changes park travel. Visitors often use guided snowcoach or snowmobile tours in winter. Confirm destination coverage and arrangements before booking a Firehole-focused trip.
- What landscape should visitors expect in Yellowstone?
- Yellowstone contains rivers, canyons, mountain ranges, lakes, grasslands, and extensive forests. Subalpine forest is its most abundant biome, while geysers and other geothermal features are defining attractions.