Dynamic geothermal area featuring bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, acidic hot springs, and dramatic hydrothermal features shaped by underground volcanic activity.
Private vehicle: $35 (7-day pass)
Motorcycle: $30 (7-day pass)
Individual (walk/bike): $20 (7-day pass)
Annual Yellowstone Pass: $70
How to Get There
From Cody (61 mi): Follow US-14/16/20 west through Yellowstone's East Entrance, continue past Yellowstone Lake and Fishing Bridge on Grand Loop Road, and follow signs to the Mud Volcano parking area and boardwalk trail.
Overview
The Mud Volcano area showcases some of Yellowstone National Park's most dynamic and unusual geothermal features. Unlike the park's famous geyser basins dominated by clear hot springs and towering eruptions, this landscape is characterized by acidic thermal activity that breaks down surrounding rock into bubbling mud. The area's namesake feature was once a violent mud volcano that erupted mud, steam, and debris high into the air during the nineteenth century. Today, visitors encounter a constantly changing collection of mud pots, fumaroles, steaming vents, and sulfur-rich springs that demonstrate the incredible power of Yellowstone's volcanic system.
A boardwalk trail leads visitors past notable attractions including Dragon's Mouth Spring, Black Dragon's Caldron, Sour Lake, and several actively churning mud pots. The strong scent of hydrogen sulfide, rising steam clouds, and gurgling thermal features create an atmosphere unlike any other part of the park. Situated near Hayden Valley, the area also offers opportunities to spot bison, elk, and bears in the surrounding landscape. Mud Volcano provides a fascinating look into the chemical and geological processes occurring beneath Yellowstone and remains one of the park's most memorable geothermal destinations.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_Volcano and Yellowstone National Park, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
