Hike to Bumpass Hell
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Stay on the boardwalk at all times in the hydrothermal basin. The ground crust around boiling features is often just inches thick and can collapse without warning — the trail's namesake, Kendall Bumpass, lost a leg breaking through in 1865. Burns from thermal features are severe and have sent visitors to the hospital in recent years.
Snow and ice linger on this high-elevation trail well into summer. The trail is typically closed until around Fourth of July weekend, and even after opening, icy patches can persist on the shaded descent into the basin. Check current conditions with the park before driving up — actual opening dates shift year to year based on snowpack.
Altitude sickness can sneak up on visitors coming from low elevations. At 8,200 feet, headaches and shortness of breath are common. Hydrate well the day before and take breaks on the climb out of the basin.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Arrive before 10 AM — the Bumpass Hell parking lot is small and fills fast on summer weekends. If it's full, you'll be turned away with no overflow option nearby, so early starts are non-negotiable on holiday weekends.
The trail sits above 8,000 feet, and even fit hikers from sea level will feel the thin air on the climb back out of the basin. Take the ascent slow, and bring a layer — temperatures at this elevation can drop twenty degrees from the parking lot forecast.
The best photos happen when morning light hits the steam rising from the basin, creating dramatic backlit plumes. Position yourself on the boardwalk's west side looking east for the best contrast. Late afternoon works too, but midday sun flattens everything.
Photos
NPS
