Firehole River Swim Area
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Entry fee: Yellowstone entrance fee required. Firehole River Swim Area is a river in Teton County, Wyoming.
Closures and warnings
NPS: strong currents and high water close the area into mid-summer or longer. Jumping or diving from cliffs or trees is prohibited. No food, drink, alcohol, soap, or float toys. As of June 11, 2026.
NPS: thermal waters can contain organisms that may cause illness. Avoid swallowing water or getting water in the nose. As of June 11, 2026.
Before you swim
| Clothing | Swimsuit required |
|---|
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | River |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Jumping | Prohibited |
| Current | Strong |
| Lifeguards | No lifeguards |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Two miles south of Madison Junction on Firehole Canyon Drive |
| Parking | Firehole Swim Area parking along Firehole Canyon Drive |
| Fee | Yellowstone entrance fee required |
| Hours | Swimming only during designated hours; closed at night |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Usually closed to swimming until mid-summer for high water; may stay closed all season after heavy snowpack. NPS (updated 2026-06-11): CLOSED, estimated opening no earlier than late summer/early fall |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Yellowstone National Park) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Note | Two vault toilets are the only facilities |
Rules
| Glass | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Firehole River Swim Area open?
NPS: strong currents and high water close the area into mid-summer or longer. Jumping or diving from cliffs or trees is prohibited. No food, drink, alcohol, soap, or float toys. As of June 11, 2026. NPS: thermal waters can contain organisms that may cause illness. Avoid swallowing water or getting water in the nose. As of June 11, 2026. Seasonal closure: Usually closed to swimming until mid-summer for high water; may stay closed all season after heavy snowpack. NPS (updated 2026-06-11): CLOSED, estimated opening no earlier than late summer/early fall. Hours: Swimming only during designated hours; closed at night.
Can you swim at Firehole River Swim Area?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Firehole River Swim Area. A strong current is reported here, use caution. Lifeguards: No lifeguards. NPS: thermal waters can contain organisms that may cause illness. Avoid swallowing water or getting water in the nose. As of June 11, 2026.
How do you get to Firehole River Swim Area?
The road in is paved. Two miles south of Madison Junction on Firehole Canyon Drive. Parking: Firehole Swim Area parking along Firehole Canyon Drive.
Do you need a reservation for Firehole River Swim Area?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Firehole River Swim Area?
The fee is Yellowstone entrance fee required.
Is Firehole River Swim Area clothing optional?
No. Swimsuits are required at Firehole River Swim Area.
What facilities are at Firehole River Swim Area?
Restrooms. Two vault toilets are the only facilities.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Firehole River Swim Area is inside Yellowstone National Park .
Sources
2
- https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/swimming.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / access.roadNote, access.seasonalClosure / hours / amenities, rules.clothing / glass / swimmerNotes.jumpingProhibited, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / current / lifeguardSeason, hazardNote / healthNote)
- https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee)