If you enjoy hearing the natural sounds of geothermal features then Roaring Mountain is worth a visit!
5-10 Minutes
Spring, Summer
~$35 per Vehicle
Overview
Roaring Mountain is near the Norris Geyser Basin, which is one of the hottest and most acidic hydrothermal areas in Yellowstone National Park. The mountain is a large, acidic thermal area with many fumaroles or steam vents on the side of the cliff.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the number, size, and power of the fumaroles were much greater than they are today. At that time, the mountain could be heard “roaring” from up to 5 miles away which is how it got its name.
Roaring Mountain Plan
Roaring Mountain was another one of the stops we made thanks to the description from our GuideAlong audio tour as we drove through the park. On one of our trips to Yellowstone National Park, we stayed in Gardiner, Montana, so we used the North Entrance most of the time. Roaring Mountain is south of Mammoth Hot Springs, so we passed through the area a few times during our trip.
On the days that we went past Roaring Mountain in the early morning, we noticed the fumaroles were more active. Try to get to that area early for the best view of this unique geothermal feature.
Getting There
Location
Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the United States and is located mostly in Wyoming with a small portion in Idaho and Montana. Due to the size of the park, there are many ways to get to the area, including a flight to Bozeman or Billings in Montana or Jackson Hole in Wyoming. Roaring Mountain is closest to the North Entrance from Gardiner or the West Entrance from West Yellowstone.
Best Time to Go
Since many of the roads through Yellowstone National Park close in the winter months from about October through May, you’ll want to visit the park in the summer months. While this is the peak season for the park and it gets very crowded, it’s the only time of year that the park is fully accessible by private vehicle.
Roaring Mountain
Who Can Go?
Roaring Mountain is at a roadside parking area that has room for about 15-20 vehicles on a paved surface. There is no trail here, just a place to pull over and get out of the car to view the fumaroles steaming on the mountain.
What You'll See
When you stop at the parking area, look up and you will see steam billowing from the side of Roaring Mountain. If it’s quiet enough, you can hear the steam vents hissing.
Roaring Mountain
What to Bring & Wear
Since this is a roadside stop, there’s nothing special that you need to bring or wear. Make sure, though, before you venture into the park that you have plenty of water, snacks, and the right clothing for the weather and activities you have planned.
Where to Go
When traveling north on Grand Loop Road, Roaring Mountain will be about 5 miles north of the Norris Geyser Basin. If you are traveling south on Grand Loop Road, the pullout will be about 16 miles from Mammoth Hot Springs. The parking area and hillside are on the east side of the road.
How Long Does it Take?
You only need a few minutes to stop at Roaring Mountain. Honestly, I don’t know if you even need to get out of the vehicle if you can find a parking spot with a good enough view of the steaming fumaroles. Roll the windows down to hear the hissing of the steam vents.
Cost
Roaring Mountain is within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. There is no charge for the attraction, but you will pay an entrance fee for Yellowstone National Park.
Tips for Roaring Mountain
- Don’t forget to listen for the hissing of the water as it flash heats into steam before reaching the surface.
- Roaring Mountain is outside of the most recent Yellowstone caldera, but inside the first and largest caldera and sits at the intersection of three major faults. Because of this, the area is still a very active earthquake area.