1. Home
  2. Locations
  3. Hot Springs

Hot Springs to Photograph in the USA

650 hot springs in 16 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top hot springs

Grand Prismatic SpringHot Spring
Grand Prismatic SpringTeton County, WY
Old FaithfulHot Spring
Old FaithfulTeton County, WY
Fly GeyserHot Spring
Fly GeyserHumboldt County, NV
Castle GeyserHot Spring
Castle GeyserTeton County, WY
Beehive GeyserHot Spring
Beehive GeyserTeton County, WY
Morning Glory PoolHot Spring
Morning Glory PoolTeton County, WY
Aurum GeyserHot Spring
Aurum GeyserTeton County, WY
Daisy GeyserHot Spring
Daisy GeyserTeton County, WY
Clepsydra GeyserHot Spring
Clepsydra GeyserTeton County, WY
Artemisia GeyserHot Spring
Artemisia GeyserTeton County, WY
Comet GeyserHot Spring
Comet GeyserTeton County, WY
Mammoth Hot SpringsHot Spring
Mammoth Hot SpringsPark County, WY
Steamboat GeyserHot Spring
Steamboat GeyserPark County, WY
Doublet PoolHot Spring
Doublet PoolTeton County, WY
Beauty PoolHot Spring
Beauty PoolTeton County, WY
Brilliant PoolHot Spring
Brilliant PoolTeton County, WY
Grand GeyserHot Spring
Grand GeyserTeton County, WY
Summer Lake Hot SpringsHot Spring
Summer Lake Hot SpringsLake County, OR
Mystic Hot SpringsHot Spring
Mystic Hot SpringsSevier County, UT
Bagby Hot SpringsHot Spring
Bagby Hot SpringsClackamas County, OR
Crabtree Hot Springs, CaliforniaHot Spring
Crabtree Hot Springs, CaliforniaLake County, CA
Deep Creek Hot SpringsHot Spring
Deep Creek Hot SpringsSan Bernardino County, CA
Stanley Hot SpringsHot Spring
Stanley Hot SpringsIdaho County, ID
Giant GeyserHot Spring
Giant GeyserTeton County, WY

By state

Map

How to photograph hot springs

Steam is most visible on cold mornings; backlight from a low sun makes rising steam glow.

  • Keep to boardwalks and marked paths — crusts around thermal features can be thin and the water dangerously hot.
  • A polarizer brings out the colors of mineral terraces and microbial mats.
  • Respect bathers' privacy: ask before including people at soaking pools.
  • Wind direction determines where steam drifts; shoot from the upwind side to see the pool.
  • Condensation forms quickly on lenses; let gear acclimate and carry a cloth.

Season: Winter gives the most dramatic steam; some primitive springs are only accessible in summer.