Mammoth Hot Springs

View of Mammoth Hot Springs from Upper Terrace

Our last area to visit before we left Yellowstone National Park, way back on June 12, was Mammoth Hot Springs.  The settlement was originally started as Fort Yellowstone, which was constructed when the US Army had cavalry stationed in the park to keep the peace before the establishment of the park rangers.  (See Museum of the National Park Ranger for more information on the rangers)

Now though there are plenty of tourist accommodations and stops in Mammoth.  You'll find a hotel, cabins, a general store, a visitor center, old Fort Yellowstone buildings, and the hot springs and terraces themselves.  It also appears to be one of the busiest parts of the park, or perhaps it was just the nicest day in the park so more people were out.  The cold weather earlier was a bit annoying, but it did mean that we didn't have to beat back crowds.  This large dining room/restaurant (which we didn't go into) reminded me of the Lake Hotel architecture.

Elk are everywhere in Mammoth Hot Springs.


We tried to not get too close, but you couldn't avoid being somewhat close to them if you wanted to leave your car.

There were of course signs cautioning visitors to remain away from the animals.

The permanency of the signs tells me that the elk are pretty much a permanent part of scenery.

I also spotted this little critter and was thankfully able to get several clear shots of him.

This sign was quite helpful since there aren't always restrooms inside historic buildings.

This restroom facility was located not too far from a large parking area where busses pulled up.

In the early days, Yellowstone's visitors began their park exploration at Mammoth Hot Springs, named after the steaming limestone terraces just above the hotel area. 

Today, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel offers a warm welcome to summer and winter visitors. Elk routinely graze outside the hotel around the parade grounds of what was once Fort Yellowstone.
--from Yellowstone National Parks webpage by Xantera, Mammoth Hot Springs section

This is the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.  It isn't quite as grand as some of the other accommodations, but still quite a nice building.

Notice how these flowers are protected from the foraging elk.

I don't know why I didn't get a better picture of the lobby, but you can see some of the furniture here.

And of course there was a fireplace in the lobby!  I don't think a building in Yellowstone is complete if it doesn't have a fireplace of some kind.

~Matt

PS Here are more pictures: