Soda Butte Cone

Overview

Soda Butte Cone is a roadside thermal landmark in the park’s northeast corridor along Soda Butte Creek, a quick but worthwhile pause as you travel the Lamar Valley. You don’t hike it and you definitely don’t climb it—this is a look-and-learn stop with sweeping valley and mountain views from the pullout.

Geology & Name

Despite the name, the cone isn’t made of “soda” (sodium carbonate). It’s a travertine mound—calcium carbonate deposited by mineral-rich hot water—akin to what you see at Mammoth Hot Springs. The label stuck after prospector A. Bart Henderson named it in 1870 under the assumption it was built by “soda water.”

Setting & Nearby Nature

The cone sits a couple miles above where Soda Butte Creek meets the Lamar River, squarely in wildlife country. Travelers routinely spot bison and pronghorn in the meadows, with occasional bear and wolf sightings across the broader Lamar corridor. Treat the cone as your quick pullout vantage and keep your eyes scanning the hillsides.

History on the Creek

The creek that shares the cone’s name was once the most polluted stream entering the park due to historic mining near Cooke City. A major reclamation finished in 2014 removed tailings, treated contaminated water, and restored stream channel—by 2018, the upper creek met water quality standards again. It’s a striking environmental turnaround story unfolding right beside this landmark.

What to Expect on a Stop

• Roadside pullout viewing with no services on site.
• Fragile thermal deposits—observe from durable surfaces only.
• Broad valley scenery that photographs well from multiple angles.

Best Time to Visit

The pullout is accessible around the clock. Popularity data shows early mornings and late afternoons can draw more visitors on some days, while mid-mornings to midday are often quieter. For photography, low-angle light near sunrise or sunset flatters the cone and surrounding peaks. If you’re aiming for wildlife, build in time around the stop to glass the adjacent meadows.

Practical Notes

There are typically no restrooms or running water at the cone pullout. Nearest options include the Soda Butte Creek Picnic Area (with toilets and tables) and services just outside the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City. Distances between facilities here are longer than they look—plan your bathroom and food stops accordingly and expect wildlife-related slowdowns.