Firehole Canyon Swim Area — cliff jumping spot in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
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Firehole Canyon Swim Area

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Photo: James St. John / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

About this spot

The Firehole Canyon swim area in Yellowstone is a real, popular, well-marked NPS swimming spot on a one-way loop (Firehole Canyon Drive) off the Grand Loop Road near Madison Junction. Swimming is legal in the designated area, but climbing, diving, or jumping from the surrounding canyon cliffs is explicitly prohibited, carrying a $250 fine if rangers catch you. The water is swift and glacial-runoff cold even in midsummer, and the current plus submerged rock are the main dangers. The area typically closes for the season around Labor Day. Stick to the designated swimming stretch and skip any cliff jumping here.

Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.

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