Emerald Pool

Emerald Pool is a hot spring in Wyoming, at a modelled elevation of 2,217 m. Mount Holmes stands 3,149 m to the north, 25 miles off. The nearest named place is Green Spring, a hot spring 0.1 miles away. Fort Henry Historic Byway passes 25 miles off. 40 named summits stand within 25 miles.
The story
Emerald Pool, a hot spring named for its emerald green color, is one of the main attractions at Black Sand Basin Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park. Its temperature is 154.6 °F (68.1 °C) and its dimensions are 27 by 38 feet (8.2 by 11.6 m) with a depth of 25 feet (7.6 m). The color is due to growth of yellow bacteria and algae. Cooling, the result of objects thrown into the pool and natural debris, has affected the growth of the bacteria and algae, making the pool appear orange and brown around the edges.
From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Wikidata Q49718702, referenced by the OpenStreetMap record.
How to reach it
- 24.9 mi off the Fort Henry Historic Byway
- 29.1 mi off the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway
Named places within 25 miles
- Green Spring: 0.1 mi
- Rainbow Pool: 0.1 mi
- Sunset Lake: 0.1 mi
- Cucumber Spring: 0.1 mi
- UNNG-BSB-1: 0.2 mi
- Lavender Pool: 0.9 mi
- Milk Cauldron: 0.9 mi
- Arrowhead Spring: 1.2 mi
- Heart Spring: 1.2 mi
- Copper Kettle: 1.2 mi
- Geyser Hill: 1.3 mi
- Twin Buttes: 5.3 mi
- Yellowstone Caldera: 6.5 mi
- Corkscrew Hill: 6.5 mi
- Porcupine Hills: 7.9 mi
- East Lot Picnic Area: 1.5 mi
- Whiskey Flats Picnic Area: 5.1 mi
- Spring Creek Picnic Area: 5.5 mi
- DeLacy Creek Picnic Area: 7.8 mi
- Nez Perce Picnic Area: 8.2 mi
- Mystic Falls: 1.8 mi
- Kepler Cascades: 2.7 mi
- Fairy Falls: 4.5 mi
- Cascades of the Firehole: 10.7 mi
- Quiver Cascade: 10.9 mi
- Upper Geyser Basin: 0.9 mi
- Morning Glory Pool: 1.1 mi
- Beehive Geyser: 1.2 mi
- Old Faithful: 1.3 mi
- Biscuit Basin: 1.7 mi
- De Lacy Park: 7.2 mi
- Dunbar Park: 18.1 mi
- Heritage Park: 18.2 mi
- West Yellowstone Town Park: 18.5 mi
- Recreation Park: 18.5 mi
- Midway Bluff: 4.6 mi
- Rock Point: 21.9 mi
- Wolf Point: 21.9 mi
- Sand Point: 22.0 mi
- Gull Point: 22.1 mi
- Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center: 1.4 mi
- Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center: 18.0 mi
- Museum of the Yellowstone: 18.2 mi
- Norris Geyser Basin Museum: 19.8 mi
- Museum of the National Park Ranger: 20.6 mi
- Queen's Laundry Bath House: 7.1 mi
- Honoring Veterans: 18.2 mi
- Old Railway Station: 20.4 mi
- Yellowstone National Park: 21.1 mi
Summits around it
The highest named summits within 25 miles of Emerald Pool. Elevation from each summit’s own record; bearing measured between the two coordinates.
| Summit | Bearing | Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Holmes | N 360° | 3,149 m | 24.7 mi |
| Mount Sheridan | SE 130° | 3,135 m | 21.0 mi |
| Factory Hill | SE 126° | 2,902 m | 19.6 mi |
| White Peaks | N 358° | 2,887 m | 24.4 mi |
| Flat Mountain | ESE 110° | 2,795 m | 22.3 mi |
| Mount Two Top | WNW 300° | 2,640 m | 22.9 mi |
| Corkscrew Hill | E 97° | 2,626 m | 6.5 mi |
| Elephant Back Mountain | ENE 69° | 2,619 m | 21.8 mi |
When to go
Light through the year
| Date | Sunrise | Golden hour | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:27 | 18:58 | 19:36 |
| June solstice | 05:40 | 20:28 | 21:12 |
| September equinox | 07:11 | 18:44 | 19:23 |
| December solstice | 07:57 | 15:59 | 16:47 |
Local time (America/Denver).
Climate normals
Months averaging 50–80 °F: Jul–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °F | 15 | 17 | 24 | 32 | 42 | 50 | 58 | 56 | 47 | 36 | 23 | 14 |
| Precip in | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.8 |
1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, NOAA NCEI — OLD Faithful, 1 mi away.
Inside the official boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Quietest months by visitation: Nov and Mar; busiest: Jul.
NPS visitation statistics, monthly averages 2021–2025 (2020 excluded).
Where this comes from
Location and category confirmed against OpenStreetMap.
OpenStreetMapWikidataOpenStreetMap element way/361642618
Day trips start here
- West Yellowstone · 19 mi
- Yellowstone National Park · 19 mi
- Island Park · 24 mi
Take the scenic way to Emerald Pool.
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