Table of Contents
Updated September 2023
This just might be my favorite geyser basin in Yellowstone… the dramatic colors are quite exceptional. A journey through the Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park is an adventure for the senses. For most, the major attraction in the Midway Geyser Basin is the Grand Prismatic Spring. The size of the pool, and the wonderful colors that surround it, are very impressive. Unlike the Norris Basin, the vivid colors of this iconic spring are breathtaking! For us, this was the coolest of the geyser areas, with Excelsior Geyser Crater, Turquoise, and Opal Pool.
Getting To the Midway Geyser Basin
Visitors to Yellowstone National Park can drive to Midway Geyser Basin via the park’s Grand Loop Road (Rt-89), which circles through the park. Midway Geyser Basin is between the park’s Old Faithful (6-miles) and Madison areas, approximately halfway around the loop. The parking area is on your left. From Madison Junction drive 10-miles south on the Grand Loop Road-RT-89. The parking area is on the right.
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What to Know Before You Go on an Excursion through the Midway Geyser Basin
I would suggest arriving early morning or late afternoon. Like other areas in Yellowstone, the Midway Basin becomes heavily trafficked by midday. Try to keep the weather in mind. The colder the day, the more mist over the spring, making photography harder. When the tour buses unload, the crowds make it difficult to appreciate the splendor of the spring.
Before your trip, purchase some first-rate binoculars, and a telescopic lens for your camera. If you plan to do the Fairy Falls hike, you need sturdy shoes, a hat, and definitely a refillable water bottle. It is important to dress in layers such as hooded fleece that you can remove as the temperatures warm. Speak with the Rangers on bear activity. They will caution you to purchase bear spray. We didn’t see any bears, but felt safer with the spray.
Note: Yellowstone National Park’s geothermal features can be dangerous, and visitors should always follow the park’s safety guidelines and stay on designated trails and boardwalks.
The Journey Begins: Exploring the Enchanting Midway Geyser Basin
Like everyone else, we came to the Midway Geyser Basin to see the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. We arrived at midday and the parking area was crazy. There were a bunch of tour buses and cars parked along the Grand Loop Road. If you’re planning to visit June – August, finding a parking spot will most likely be challenging. Be prepared to encounter many people. We found roadside parking along the Grand Loop Road. The journey into the Midway Geyser Basin starts at the small footbridge crossing the Firehole River. As you approach the Midway Geyser Basin, you see the steaming mists created from the run-off into the Firehole River. The Firehole River is a freestone river that flows into the Madison River 30-miles downstream.
At the far end of the bridge, you see water gushing about 4,050 gallons per minute from the Excelsior Geyser into the Firehole River. The colors in the channel water from the bacterial mats are mesmerizing. The boardwalk is a 0.8-mile loop boardwalk trail that starts with Excelsior Geyser, Grand Prismatic Spring, Opal geyser, and the Turquoise Pool.
Experience the Mighty Excelsior Geyser in Yellowstone’s Midway Geyser Basin
Excelsior Geyser is a dormant fountain-type geyser. In the early 1900s, a huge eruption destroyed the geyser. Late in 1985, Excelsior rumbled back to life with 47 hours of major eruptions. They say the eruptions reached 300 feet tall and 300 feet wide. Gigantic clouds of steam emerge from this deep azure hot spring, making it seem like you are standing in the clouds. Jagged rocks that create rims or terraces surrounded the crater around the spring. It is a reminder of the larger Calderon that lies below Yellowstone.
Today it envelops us in steam as we walked past this geyser, but we could still appreciate the deep blue color. Words are lacking to describe what it’s like to walk along boardwalks through whipping clouds of sulfur-of steam that cover the vast expanse of the Midway Geyser Basin.
The Vibrant Colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring: A Natural Spectacle in Yellowstone’s Midway Geyser Basin
This is the most photographed geyser in the park because of its bizarre but beautiful colors: oranges, browns, and yellows adorn the area surrounding it. The colorful bacterium mat surrounding the spring is spectacular! This spring sits upon a large mound surrounded by small step-like terraces covering an area of 370 feet. Our first impression is we noticed the striking range of colors, including browns, greens, and reds, that the thermophilic microorganisms produce. The temperature of the water in the spring is about 160◦F. The temperatures govern the particular organisms that will grow, which produces the stunning colors.
TIP: Remember that the thermal features here are fragile. Pledge to act responsibly and safely, and set a good example for others during your visit. Stay on boardwalks and trails in thermal areas. Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature. Keep your children close and don’t let them run.
Midway Geyser Basin: Shrouded in Morning Mist, a Geothermal Wonderland
There are 2 ways to see the thermal area. One way is to park and walk the boardwalk trail. However, you are almost at eye level with the features, so the view is not that good. Some days you can see the blue and orange of Grand Prismatic reflecting in the mist.
Note: The spring is usually shrouded in mist when the weather is cooler. Vast differences in temperature between the hot spring water and the air cause low clouds to form directly above the surface.
You get blasted with steam on a windy day as it blows all over the boardwalks. Many a ball cap has succumbed to the geyser created by wind. The boardwalk is about 6 or 7 feet wide, usually plenty enough room for people to walk past each other.
Turquoise and Opal Pool: Forgotten Jewels of Yellowstone’s Midway Geyser Basin
There are two colorful pools further along the boardwalk. The first hot spring is Turquoise Pool, best known for its pale-dark blue color. Although small, it is beautiful to photograph. Opal Pool is smaller but still worth a look. Opal Pool is technically a fountain-type geyser. When it erupts, it shoots water 9 meters into the air. Both pools have lower temperatures, approximately 142°F.
Fairy Falls Trailhead: A Gateway to More Natural Beauty in Yellowstone
The BEST way to see the chromatic-colored spring from the Fairy Falls trail is to walk in about 1.6-mile to the observation overlook. In my opinion, it is the only way to experience Grand Prismatic’s genuine appeal. The spring is breathtaking in its blue-green splendor from this vantage point. Keep in mind spring won’t always be brightly colored, especially early in the morning when mist obscures your view.
The hike to the observation platform is low impact and accessible for most age and skill levels. The path is level and wide except for the last ¼ mile is uphill. Well worth the effort of hiking, but you will encounter a couple of switchbacks that made this Florida girl sweat a bit. The platform is not very large. When we were there, the crowds were enormous. Because of immense popularity, I think it will always be crowded. But it is rewarding when you get a perfect view from above!
Further along the Fairy Falls trail are more thermal features and opportunities to see wildlife. If you have the time, continue on the trail 3/4 mile past Fairy Falls to Imperial Geyser. The trail is actually part of the Lower Geyser Basin.
Planning Resources
- Map of Yellowstone National Park – A great resource to plan your trip and calculate the distances you need to travel.
- Yellowstone National Park Official Site – Plan your visit, get updates on road conditions and general information.
- Free Yellowstone National Park Planner – free trip planning guide, a digital version is available.
- Dining Options in Yellowstone-Looking for places to get a good meal. Visit the website to see what options are available. There are 52 picnic areas throughout the park.
- Download the Yellowstone GyPSy Guide Tour App before you leave town or use the official NPS Yellowstone App features live updates to the status of lodges, campgrounds, roads, and geyser predictions when in cell service. On the App Store and on Google Play
Final Thoughts on a Day Journey through the Absolutely Amazing Midway Geyser Basin
A day’s journey through the absolutely amazing Midway Geyser Basin is a mesmerizing odyssey into the heart of Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders. From the vivid blues and greens of the Grand Prismatic Spring to the thundering roar of Excelsior Geyser, this basin is a testament to the Earth’s fiery forces and artistic genius.
Your day in the Midway Geyser Basin isn’t just an adventure; it’s a celebration of Earth’s resilience and the extraordinary beauty it continues to create. It’s an opportunity to connect with the planet’s ancient rhythms and appreciate the mysteries of our world.
So, as we bid farewell to this captivating basin, carry we carry with us the memories of its vibrant colors, ethereal mists, and awe-inspiring thermal displays. It’s a day journey that will forever remind us of the power and beauty of our remarkable planet.
What did you find most amazing about the Midway Geyser Basin? Let us know in the comments below. It is truly mesmerizing!
