Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District

Mammoth Hot Springs Historic District is a roughly 64-acre area within Yellowstone National Park containing around 190 structures of various types. The buildings include former military facilities, hotels, and commercial shops that create a compact settlement from different construction periods.

The district began taking shape in 1886 when the U.S. Army took control of Yellowstone and built military structures to manage park operations. Over the following decades, the settlement expanded to include visitor accommodations alongside the military installations.

The district displays various architectural styles that reflect different periods when buildings were constructed. Walking through, you can see how American design tastes and construction methods changed over time through the different structures.

The visitor center provides information and displays about the park, making it a good first stop for orientation when you arrive. The terrain is relatively flat, which makes it easy to walk between buildings, though some paths can be less accessible during winter months.

A log house built in 1895 for a mail carrier stands as the only residential structure from that early period still remaining in the district. This modest wooden building survived despite many other original structures having disappeared over time.