Mud Volcano Area
Known for it muddy hot pools, bizarre landscape, and pungent odors.
Plan Around Mud Volcano Area
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Mud Volcano Area Details
A loop trail, running two-thirds of a mile leads you from sight to sight in the Mud Volcano area, known for it muddy hot pools, bizarre landscape, and pungent odors. Earthquakes are common in this highly active geothermal area, where the Yellowstone volcano's floor continues to rise and fall. The Mud Volcano itself once had a 30-foot cone resembling a volcano that belched out mud, but an eruption collapsed the cone and today there's just a crater full of bubbly, smelly grey mud. High underground temperatures resulting from earthquakes in the 1970s created the "Cooking Hillside," a steamy area dotted with dead trees. Also look for Dragon's Mouth Spring, which the Crow Indians thought more resembled the snorts of an angry bison.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Fishing Bridge to Canyon Village
Nearby Parks Around Mud Volcano Area
Compare nearby parks around Mud Volcano Area when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Mud Volcano Area
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Mud Volcano Area while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Mud Volcano Area
A vault toilet is available at the parking lot.
0.0 mi away
Mud Volcano Self-Guiding Trail
Undoubtedly the dirtiest part of the park.
0.5 mi away
Hayden Valley
Once an arm of Lake Yellowstone, the Hayden Valley is sort of the Main Street for Yellowstone's wildlife.
0.8 mi away
Nez Perce Ford
The spot where the Nez Perce Indians crossed the river during their flight through the park in 1877.
1.0 mi away
Cascade
Located 4.7 miles north of Fishing Bridge Junction on the Fishing Bridge to Canyon Road.
