Beryl Spring

Beryl Spring is one of the most striking and energetic thermal features in Yellowstone’s Gibbon Geyser Basin, known for its intense heat, vigorous steam clouds, and brilliant mineral-rich waters that shimmer with a deep blue tint reminiscent of the gemstone for which it is named. 

Located along the roadside between Norris Junction and Madison Junction, it is both one of the hottest and most consistently active springs in the entire park. Visitors often encounter its roaring vents before they even see the feature itself, as the rising steam drifts across the road and the sound of boiling water echoes against the nearby cliffs.

Beryl Spring

Quick Reference: Beryl Spring

Feature	Details
Location	Gibbon Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Feature Type	Hot spring (superheated, vigorously boiling)
Water Temperature	Averages 196°F (91°C) – among the hottest in Yellowstone
Depth / Activity	Constant boiling with splashes up to 4 feet high
Color	Blue-green, resembling the gemstone “beryl”
Name Origin	Named in 1883 by the USGS Hague party for its beryl-like color
Surroundings	Sinter-lined pool, steam clouds, mineral crusts, nearby Gibbon River
Notable Characteristics	Extremely hot, powerful boiling; highly visible roadside feature
Safety Note	Very high temperatures and fragile ground—stay on designated walkways

The spring itself is a large and intensely active pool, constantly roiling with vigorous boiling. Water temperatures average around 196°F (91°C), placing it firmly among the hottest thermal features in the entire park. Because the water is superheated under pressure, the surface rarely rests; instead, bubbles surge upward, frequently splashing several feet into the air. These striking bursts, which can reach heights of around four feet, give Beryl Spring an unmistakable sense of power. Even though it does not erupt like a geyser, the continuous, forceful boiling makes it feel far more dynamic than many true geysers elsewhere in Yellowstone.

Beryl Spring’s name dates back to 1883, when the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hague party explored the region. One survey member was captivated by the blue-green coloration of the water, which resembled the precious gemstone beryl, and the name has remained in use ever since. The coloration results from a combination of the pool’s clarity, the intrinsic blue of deep, hot water, and subtle mineral reflections that shift in intensity depending on sunlight and viewing angle. Together, they give the pool a brilliant jewel-like appearance, contrasting sharply with the pale sinter terraces that surround it.

The spring sits within a rugged hydrothermal setting shaped by centuries of boiling, splashing, and mineral deposition. Beryl Spring is surrounded by a wide apron of white, gray, and tan sinter, much of it cracked and uneven from repeated heating and cooling cycles. At the center lies the intensely blue pool, its color created by extreme heat and clarity that allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the water. The combination of heat and mineral-rich water fosters a narrow band of thermophilic life, often creating golden and orange streaks around the outer edges where temperatures drop just enough to support microbial growth.

The setting around Beryl Spring also contributes to its dramatic appearance. The steep, forested slopes of Gibbon Canyon frame the spring, while colder ambient temperatures—especially in the early morning and during cooler months—intensify the amount of steam rising from the feature. Even on warm days, billowing steam can obstruct the roadside pullout, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that hints at the immense heat surging beneath the ground. During winter, rangers often note that the area around Beryl Spring remains free of snow due to the constant high temperature of the escaping steam.

Visitors can experience Beryl Spring safely from a designated boardwalk and viewing area situated just a short walk from the parking pullout. The ground around the spring is thin and unstable, making it essential to stay within the marked paths to avoid dangerous conditions. The air is often filled with the smell of minerals and the distinctive sulfur scent that characterizes many geothermal sites in Yellowstone. Because the spring is located so close to the road, it offers one of the easiest and most accessible opportunities to witness a powerful, actively boiling hydrothermal feature without a long hike or extended exploration.