Crackling Lake

Crackling Lake is a fascinating thermal feature located in the Porcelain Basin of Norris Geyser Basin, one of Yellowstone National Park’s most active geothermal areas. Known for its unusual popping and crackling sounds, the lake offers visitors a rare chance to experience the park through sound as well as sight.

Crackling Lake

Quick Reference: Crackling Lake

Feature	Details
Name	Crackling Lake
Location	Porcelain Basin of Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Type	Hot Spring / Geothermal Lake
Geological Context	Part of the Norris Geyser Basin — an area of intense geothermal activity with thin crust and rising heat from the Yellowstone magma chamber
Origin of Name	Named in 1967 by Ed Leigh due to the distinct “crackling” sounds from nearby springs; previously known as Spring #39 in Dr. Peale’s Gibbon Geyser Basin publication
Notable Sounds	Popping and crackling noises produced by escaping gases and steam beneath the surface
Temperature Range	Typically near boiling (~190°F / 88°C) in active spots
Water Appearance	Often pale blue or grayish due to mineral and silica content; surrounded by white sinter deposits
Activity Type	Constant thermal activity; bubbling, steaming, and gas release — no known eruptions
Elevation	Approximately 7,500 feet (2,286 meters)
Best Viewing Time	Early morning or cool days when steam is visible and crackling sounds are more pronounced
Accessibility	Easily viewable from the Porcelain Basin Trail within Norris Geyser Basin boardwalks
Nearby Features	Porcelain Basin Hot Springs, Congress Pool, Whirligig Geyser, and Crackling Mountain
Safety Note	Stay on designated boardwalks — ground near geothermal areas is extremely fragile and temperatures can cause severe burns
Fun Fact	The lake’s sounds are caused by steam and gas bubbles bursting underwater — a rare phenomenon among Yellowstone’s thermal features

The name “Crackling Lake” was proposed in 1967 by geologist Ed Leigh, inspired by the distinctive noises produced by small springs and steam vents along the southern shore of the lake. These natural sounds are caused by hot water and steam escaping through the porous ground, creating a soft but constant crackling effect that gives the lake its character. Before receiving its descriptive modern name, the feature was known only as “Spring #39” in Dr. Peale’s historic publication Gibbon Geyser Basin, highlighting how early explorers cataloged Yellowstone’s wonders before they were fully understood.

Set against a landscape of bright mineral deposits, steaming vents, and milky-blue waters, Crackling Lake captures the surreal and otherworldly beauty that defines the Norris Geyser Basin. The area is known for its extreme heat and acidity, making it one of the hottest and most volatile regions in the park. The water temperatures here can reach boiling, and the ground itself is fragile due to the thin sinter crusts that cover the underlying hydrothermal system. Despite the harsh conditions, the lake’s surface often reflects shifting hues of blue and gray, framed by white silica terraces and curling steam.

Crackling Lake is easily accessible from the Porcelain Basin boardwalk, a popular trail that winds through some of Yellowstone’s most active thermal features. Visitors can safely observe the lake and listen to the faint crackling noises from the designated viewing areas, especially on calm days when the sound carries more clearly. Nearby, other features like Porcelain Springs and Hurricane Vent add to the dynamic energy of the basin, creating an environment where the earth seems to be constantly alive and breathing.