Firehole Canyon Drive in Yellowstone National Park is just south of the Madison Junction heading into the park from West Yellowstone, Montana. This two-mile one-way road guides you past Firehole Falls and Firehole River Swimming Area.
Firehole Canyon Drive
Location - South of the Madison Junction on the Grand Loop.
The entrance to Firehole Canyon Drive is designated with a park sign.
Distance - 2-mile one-way road off the Grand Loop
As you drive along the road keep an eye out for Bald Eagles in the trees over the Firehole River.
Firehole Falls
Firehole Falls is an 80-foot waterfall off the side of the road. The Firehole Falls passes through 800-foot thick lava flows.
There a pull-offs and a small parking area so you can get out and see the full 80 feet of the falls.
Firehole River Swimming Area
Firehole River Swimming area is one of two areas within Yellowstone National Park that visitors can swim. The other area is the Boiling River near Mammoth Hot Springs.
One thing to know is there is no designated parking lot for the Firehole River swimming hole. You can park along the side of the road.
No jumping from the cliffs or diving is allowed! Glass containers and pets are also prohibited.
There is no lifeguard on duty. Visitors swim at their own risk.
One thing to know is the water is similar to an unheated swimming pool. Even though it sounds like the water should be warm with the name Firehole.
There are changing rooms off the side of the road so visitors can change into their swimsuits and later into dry clothes.
The beach area is rocky! You will want at minimum a pair of flip flops or Tevas that can help protect your feet.
Many visitors will scramble up a bit and float down the river into the swimming area. Please be prepared for the current to be strong! If you are not a strong swimmer or are not comfortable maneuvering in the current I would stick to the calm swimming area.
There are quite a few stairs to reach the Firehole River swimming area.
Where is Firehole Canyon Drive?
Firehole Canyon Drive branches off from the Grand Loop Road less than a mile south of Madison Junction.
Fun Yellowstone National Park Tours and Activities
4-Hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch- Admire the tree-fringed banks, beaches, and thermal pools of Yellowstone Lake from the water on this morning tour.
After a kayak lesson and time to familiarize yourself with your kayak, set out to explore the West Thumb with your guide. You will paddle for approximately two miles along the West Thumb Geyser Basin as you look for elk and bear along the lakeshore and marvel at the steaming geysers in this incredible area of the park!
Click here to book your tour for the 4-hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch!
Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch - the lush riverside plains of the Lamar Valley are a wildlife watching hotspot within Yellowstone National Park. With this guided hike, you get to explore the natural landscapes as you venture off-road and seek out little-known spots, increasing your chances of seeing wildlife. Look out for buffalo, wolves, eagles, and other animals along the way and watch them from a safe distance in their natural habitat. Tour includes lunch, bear spray, binoculars, trekking pole, backpack(if necessary), coffee and/or tea.
Click here to book your tour for the Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch.
Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour - Book your private tour with Yellowstone Exposures to ensure a truly unforgettable day with a local expert. Have your day designed and mapped for you by a local professional so that you can utilize it to the fullest.
With snacks, High-quality spotting scopes and binos. Your guide will take photos and video throughout the day. Included a full picnic lunch, snacks, and refreshments.
Click here to book your tour for the Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour.
Nearby Yellowstone Attractions
Old Faithful - Old Faithful is just down the road from Firehole Lake Drive
Biscuit Basin - Check out Black Opal Pool and the Jewel Geyser in Biscuit Basin.
Firehole Lake Drive - This 2-mile scenic drive includes the Great Fountain Geyer, White Dome Geyser and Firehole Lake
Fountain Paint Pots Boardwalk Trail - Check out this half-mile boardwalk that guides you past all four types of hydrothermal in the park.
Fairy Falls - Fairy Falls can be seen on a 5-mile round trip hike
Norris Geyser Basin - Norris Geyser Basin has two different loop trails that guide you past some of the hottest thermal areas in Yellowstone.
Don't miss the epic waterfalls in Yellowstone you can easily see while exploring the park.
Closest Campground
Check out all of the Yellowstone Campgrounds to help plan your time in the park.
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
Closest Yellowstone Lodging
The Old Faithful Inn, Snow Lodge, and Old Faithful Lodge Cabins are the closest lodging options to Firehole Canyon Drive,
Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Snowmobile - $30.00 Entry for one driver and one passenger (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$20.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$20.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons) ($25.00 plus $20.00 per person)
$125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Additional Yellowstone Resources
Yellowstone Lodging Guide -Check out all of the lodges you can stay in while visiting Yellowstone NP.
Yellowstone Camping Guide - Check out all of the campgrounds available within the park.
Things to do Yellowstone - Check out all of the top things to do in the park.
Yellowstone Facts - Learn more about the unique features in Yellowstone.
Free National Park Days - Check out all of the days the National Park Service waives park entrance fees.
National Parks in Wyoming - Check out all of the parks you can visit while in Wyoming.
Grand Teton Guide - Find out about this epic park and plan a visit!
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