10 Best Geysers & Thermal Features in Yellowstone National Park
It is said that there are more than 500 geysers and over 10,000 hydrothermal features in Yellowstone National Park, which can certainly seem overwhelming if you’re trying to maximize your time in the park over just a few days.
That being said, it’s not overly difficult to drive and hike through all the major geyser basins throughout Yellowstone National Park if you have 3-5 days in the area. However, if you’re trying to see it all, this tends to be a lot of hot and exhausting miles in the sun.
This is exactly why I wanted to highlight the best of the best when it comes to the geysers, pools, and springs found throughout the park, as I have spent many years exploring all corners of Yellowstone to create this list of thermal features that truly stand apart from the rest!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Hiking Checklist - Yellowstone-Tetons
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in the Yellowstone-Teton area.
Bear Spray & Holster - If you aren’t flying, don’t rent bear spray! It’s a waste of money. Prepare ahead of time by buying your own, as this may be one of the most important items on this list.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
10 Best Geysers & Thermal Features in Yellowstone National Park
While Yellowstone is a one-of-a-kind national park, many of the geyser basins can start to look the same if your intention is to see it all.
This is exactly why this list only includes the top 10 best thermal features found throughout Yellowstone, as well as my best recommendations for how to visit each!
Moreover, getting the chance to see each of the following geysers erupt takes a lot of time and patience, but if you’d like know more about the current activity and predictions by the National Park Service, check out the link below.
Current Geyser Activity: NPS Predictions
1. Morning Glory Pool
The Morning Glory Pool is arguably the most beautiful thermal feature in all of Yellowstone National Park!
That being said, it’s not the most convenient pool to hike to, as most people tend to make the long trek up from Old Faithful and back.
However, the Artemisia Trail, linked below, is a bit of a hidden gem when it comes to taking the fastest route to Morning Glory Pool, as opposed to the much longer trail through the entire Upper Geyser Basin.
Read My Separate Post: Artemisia Trail (Morning Glory Pool)
My Print - Morning Glory Pool
2. Great Fountain Geyser
The Great Fountain Geyser may be one of the most under appreciated as well as elusive eruptions in Yellowstone National Park, as the National Park Service estimates an average interval of around eleven and a half hours!
However, the terraced pools that pour out of the geyser make for some of the most beautiful photography opportunities, as you can see from this photo taken at sunset.
Google Maps Directions: Great Fountain Geyser
3. Old Faithful
Not much needs to be said about Old Faithful, as it’s easily the most popular geyser in the world!
That being said, you may notice the large crowd gathered around the geyser in the photo below, but if you’d like to enjoy the eruption at this upper viewpoint that’s almost guaranteed to have fewer people, check out my separate post below.
Read My Separate Post: Observation Point Trail
4. Grand Prismatic Spring
Side by side with Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring is up there for the most popular thermal feature in Yellowstone National Park.
While you can walk on the boardwalk to get right up to the spring, the best views are appreciated from the Grand Prismatic Overlook off the Fairy Falls Trail, which is where this photo was taken just after sunrise.
Read My Separate Post: Fairy Falls Trail
5. Lone Star Geyser
The Lone Star Geyser is one of Yellowstone’s more remote geysers, and while the it’s not the easiest to see erupt, it’s also not the most difficult eruption to witness either.
To learn more about the hike as well as what it takes to see the Lone Star Geyser erupt, check out all of the details in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Lone Star Geyser Trail
6. Beehive Geyser
From personal experience, don’t try too hard to see the Beehive Geyser erupt. While it’s not the easiest to time, it’s also not the hardest.
On average, the Beehive Geyser erupts twice a day, which usually lasts about 4-5 minutes per eruption.
My personal recommendation is to grab a drink at the Old Faithful Inn and sit outside to see what you see. There’s no guarantee what time of day it’ll go off, but if you didn’t get to see it while exploring the Upper Geyser Basin, then I recommend sitting back and taking it easy.
The views from the deck of the Old Faithful Inn are just as good, if not better, than the boardwalk, which is exactly where the photo below was taken.
Google Maps Directions: Beehive Geyser
7. Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs is easily the most loaded thermal area that I have on this list.
I say this because all of the others are individual geysers or thermal features, while Mammoth Hot Springs as a whole is actually a large collection of thermal features that all pour out of the mountainside in this one beautiful spot.
All said, Mammoth as a whole is one of the most unique thermal areas across all of Yellowstone compared to all the others that largely exist within geyser basins, which can start to look the same after a while.
Google Maps Directions: Mammoth Hot Springs
8. Riverside Geyser
When it comes to being patient, the Riverside Geyser is one of the more elusive eruptions to catch in Yellowstone National Park.
On average, the National Park Service estimates intervals of around six and a half hours between eruptions, which can make it a challenging one to see over others on this list.
Google Maps Directions: Riverside Geyser
9. Sapphire Pool
The Sapphire Pool was once an active geyser until an earthquake in the 1950s changed its current activity into the beautiful blue pool that we have today.
That being said, the Sapphire Pool is located in the Biscuit Geyser Basin, and it's one of the best to visit at the same time as the Morning Glory Pool because both the Biscuit Basin and the Artemisia Trailhead share the same parking area.
Google Maps Directions: Sapphire Pool
10. Artists’ Paintpots
The Artists’ Paintpots is really a number of different thermal features along the upper loop of the Artists’ Paintpots Trail.
Overall, the hike is to the Paintpots is fairly easy, which I recommend checking out first thing in the morning in order to enjoy this beautiful location before it gets too busy!
Read My Separate Post: Artists’ Paintpots Trail
How Bad are the Mosquitoes?
If this is your first trip to Wyoming, you’re likely unfamiliar with how bad the mosquitoes will be. Locals don’t joke when they call the mosquito the Wyoming state bird, which is why I recommend grabbing this cheap bug net before going. You never know where and when you may want it because even midday in the most unsuspecting places, the mosquitoes can be out in clouds!
More Yellowstone Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Yellowstone National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
From personal experience, I’ve seen that the Yellowstone-Teton area has one of the highest Grizzly Bear densities in the country. Even on the popular trails, you need to be hiking with bear spray and know how to react in the event of a Black or Grizzly Bear encounter.
Aside from wildlife, Wyoming, like any Mountain West state, is known for its violent afternoon thunderstorms, which are more typical in the warmer summer months than other times of the year.
That said, it’s important to check the local forecast before setting off on any adventure, as lightning strikes are not uncommon in and near mountain ranges across the West. I have personally been knocked to the ground by a strike that hit near me in the past, and I confidently say that it’s an experience you don’t want to live through. This is why I highly recommend checking Mountain Forecast for any high-elevation adventures you may be interested in—especially when climbing a summit.
Finally, know that when micro-spikes are necessary for an early-season adventure, micro-spikes are never supposed to be a substitute for conditions that require crampons.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park websites.
National Park Service: Grand Teton National Park / Yellowstone National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
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Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
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