6 National Parks with Geothermal Features That Show Yellowstone isn’t the Only Hot Spot

Yellowstone often gets all the glory when it comes to hot springs and geothermal features. Often hailed as the crown jewel of natural hot springs in the United States, it draws millions of visitors each year to its explosive geysers and thermal waters. 

But Yellowstone isn’t the only national park in town. Across the country, some other spots on the map boast their own mesmerizing geothermal wonders. In this post, we’re veering off the beaten path to explore six national parks that challenge Yellowstone’s monopoly on hot springs and steam vents.

While they may not have the same level of fame or recognition as Yellowstone, these alternative national parks with hot springs are definitely worth adding to your travel bucket list. 

1. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Lassen Volcanic National Park in California is a severely underrated hidden gem teeming with thermal activity. It’s just like a smaller Yellowstone. 

The landscape is dotted with boiling springs, where water simmers at the surface. Then there are the mud pots, gloopy, bubbling clay pools that burble and pop.

One of the standout features is Bumpass Hell, which holds the title of the largest hydrothermal area within the park. The area was named after an early explorer who, unfortunately, learned about the ground’s fragility the hard way. 

2. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is the oldest protected area in the United States. Long before the source of warm, soothing water was a national park, Native American tribes considered these hot springs sacred and used them for healing and spiritual purposes.

The park was established to preserve and protect the natural hot springs that flow from Hot Springs Mountain. The hot springs were, in essence, some of the first “spa treatments” in North America, a tradition that has continued through the ages.

Today, visitors can still take a dip in these historic thermal waters at Bathhouse Row, where bathhouses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries have been preserved and restored.

3. Big Bend National Park, Texas 

Big Bend National Park in Texas may not immediately come to mind when thinking about hot springs, but it has one of the most unique geothermal features in the country. Located along the banks of the Rio Grande, the early mornings in the Hot Springs Historic District are a peaceful spot to soak in warm waters while in the middle of a desert!

The hot spring itself is a small, naturally formed pool with temperatures ranging from 105 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to Boquillas Hot Springs, there is the more developed Rio Grande Village Hot Springs bathing experience. 

Travel Tip! The hot springs are extremely popular, so be sure to plan your visit during a weekday and arrive early in the day.

4. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Finally, we can’t talk about geothermal features without mentioning Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii. This park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea, making it a hot spot for volcanic activity.

When the volcano erupts, you can watch the lava flow and see it glow at night. When it’s quiet, walk through the lava tubes formed by flowing molten rock and cross lava fields. The park also has a variety of hot springs and steam vents, including the famous Steam Vents trail. 

5. Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park in Washington is known for its diverse ecosystems, but it’s also home to a lesser-known site of geothermal activity: the Sol Duc Hot Springs. In a verdant valley, visitors to the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort can relax in mineral-rich hot springs while surrounded by lush forests. 

The Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort has three mineral hot spring soaking pools and one freshwater pool. The resort also provides a range of accommodations and services, including lodging, dining, and spa services.

If you’re looking for a more natural and undeveloped hot springs experience, there are alternatives, although they require a bit more effort to access, like the Olympic Hot Springs Trail.

6. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is renowned for its strikingly deep blue waters and sheer cliff walls. Yet, what many don’t realize is that this natural marvel owes its existence to volcanic activity. 

The park is situated in the caldera of Mount Mazama, a volcano that erupted nearly 7,700 years ago in one of the largest volcanic events in North America. The eruption was so immense that it caused the mountain to collapse, forming the caldera that later filled with rain and snowmelt over the centuries to create Crater Lake.

Beyond the lake, the park harbors some features that are a testament to its volcanic origins, such as the fumaroles. While they may not be traditional hot springs or as visually dramatic as geysers, these steam vents emit steam and gases from deep within the earth.

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