Ojo Caliente Spring

Ojo Caliente Spring maintains temperatures of approximately 94 degrees Celsius with constant bubbling alkaline waters that emerge from the earth through vigorous geothermal circulation driven by Yellowstone's underlying magma chamber.

Indigenous tribes historically utilized Ojo Caliente Spring and similar geothermal features for spiritual rituals, healing practices, and communal gatherings, establishing these sites as significant elements of local heritage traditions long before European exploration.

The spring exemplifies Yellowstone's cultural importance as a symbol of natural geological power, frequently referenced in literature and popular media that reinforces the park's reputation as the world's first national park.

Visitors must view Ojo Caliente Spring from designated safety platforms and are prohibited from direct contact with the water due to extreme temperatures that can cause severe burns upon exposure.

The spring's name translates from Spanish as 'hot eye' and supports unique microbial communities that thrive in its high-temperature, mineral-rich waters, creating colorful biological mats around its perimeter.