Upper Geyser Basin Yellowstone

By Jacob

The Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park is the most visited in the park. It is home to some of the largest and most predictable geysers in the world, including the world famous Old Faithful. The area is located on the southwestern side of the park loop road. Follow the Old Faithful signs into the area. Parking can be tight on weekends so you should go on a weekday if at all possible. Like some of the most popular places in national parks such as Yosemite Valley’s Village and Grand Canyon Village the Old Faithful/Upper Geyser Basin has its own little village with stores, lodging, food and visitor information. Be sure to stop by the immaculate Old Faithful Inn, with its massive lobby and rustic national park feel for Ice Cream and a view of Old Faithful from the balcony. Stop at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center for information about the geysers and the rest of the park. In all buildings in the area you can find posted predicted times for the predictable geysers in the basin.

You can either wait for Old Faithful to erupt or go on to explore the other hot springs and geysers beyond the main attraction. Head north on the Continental Divide Trail to see some of these spectacular sights. Make a right at the massive Castle Geyser with its huge deposit of geyserite. This is one of the predictable geysers, the basin erupting every 10 to 12 hours for 20 minutes at a time 90 ft into the air. Cross the Firehole River, where you can see the colored waters from the geysers flowing and entering the river for the long journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The Upper Geyser Basin has more than just geysers, there are hot springs too. Some with brilliant blue and some with a full spectrum of color depending on the temperature of the pool.

Continuing north, you reach the watch area of Grand Geyser. This is the largest predictable geyser in Yellowstone National Park. The geyser erupts every 6 to 7 hours for 9 to 12 minutes and shoots water 200 feet into the air. Beyond Grand Geyser get those Instagram worthy pictures at the Beauty and Chromatic Pools with their deep springs and brilliant colors. Cross back over the Firehole River to see some smaller pools on the way to Morning Glory. Back where the trail comes back to the Continental Divide Trail stop at the impressive Grotto Geyser with its oddly shaped fountain. Take the short side path to view Riverside Geyser. This geyser is predictable and sprays water over 70 feet into the air right into the Firehole River every 5-7 hours for 20 minutes at a time. Cross the river once more to view Morning Glory Pool. This small pool has some of the most spectacular colors from its 23 foot depth. It is worth the walk.

Heading back on the Continental Divide Trail, stop by the Bottomless Pit and take the short spur to Daisy Geyser. This geyser can be predicted with more accuracy then most and blasts water 60 to 75 feet into the air at an angle instead of perpendicular. It erupts for 3-4 minutes every hour and half to 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Back at the Old Faithful Inn head east to Geyser Hill. There is a spur trail that leads up to the Upper Old Faithful Geyser View for a unique less crowded view. This a small loop boardwalk trail that passed by several smaller fountains and pools. The main attraction on Geyser Hill is the spectacular Beehive Geyser, its restricted fountain means that water will go 200 feet into the air if you are lucky enough to catch one of its eruptions.