Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs is the name of the city that is the headquarters of Yellowstone. It is a very famous place to watch Elk that often hang out in town and on the lawns around houses. There is food, and a very large and famous hotel here. Be sure to check out the museum as well. The crown jewel of the city is the hot springs it is named for. There are a couple miles of boardwalk for the self guided tour and a short auto route if you don't want to walk. There are three areas to explore. The lower terrace boardwalk, the upper terrace boardwalk, and the upper terrace auto tour. As you enter Mammoth it is impossible to miss the colored terraces rising over the city.There is an old geyser cone that is the subject of many photos from people visiting. The lower terrace makes you feel like you are on a different planet. The travertine terraces in the lower terrace are the coolest to see in my opinion. As you head up to the upper terrace there are many areas where old trees were taken over and killed by the springs.The upper terrace is mostly dry now but offers surrounding views of the beautiful area.