Upper Geyser Basin
Upper Geyser Basin
5
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Most of the geysers in Yellowstone Park can be found here.
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5.0
1,356 reviews
Excellent
1,138
Very good
191
Average
20
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Kristy W
Owasso, OK50 contributions
Aug 2022
This was a nice basin to explore while waiting for Old Faithful. If you time it right you can view Old Faithful from another viewpoint and still get a great show. There are plenty of thermal features to see here.
I recommend bringing your own lunch to avoid spending a lot of time in the restaurants.
I recommend bringing your own lunch to avoid spending a lot of time in the restaurants.
Written 17 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeaAnne O
16 contributions
June 2021
My biggest advice is to download the Yellowstone app to see when the expected eruptions are set to occur. We saw that there were multiple eruptions in a 2 hour window so we booked it there to see them all. We saw Grand, Castle, Riverside, Daisy (from the trail) all before heading to Old Faithful. Old Faithful is the most frequent so plan around the rest and save it for the end. Also lots of shops and food nearby so you can plan a good deal of time here.
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MGQ
Buffalo, NY550 contributions
Sept 2022
Never seen anything like it...amazing. Of Old Faithful is the main attraction here but the number of geysers and thermal ponds in unbelievable. We were fortunate to see Beehive erupt as well as watching Old Faithful 3 times. Walking along the boardwalks through the park of geysers and thermal ponds is unforgettable...such beautiful colors and depth in the pools. Pictures don't capture the beauty or amazement of it all.
Written 28 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nyormirror
Bay City, MI2,084 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Starting from the visitor center of Old Faithful there is 1.5 mile paved asphalt handicap accessible track to the Morning Glory Pool. You can branch off on several boardwalks that take you by certain geysers.
I would suggest checking geyser times on your NPS Yellowstone app by the Old Faithful Inn (one of the few spot in the park with WiFi) or check the board near the ranger station.
So depending on how many active geysers you want to try to see this could take 2-6 hours.
Restrooms available. Lots of parking but super-crowded in August and during peak times (10a-6p). Don’t forget water, sun hat and snacks.
I would suggest checking geyser times on your NPS Yellowstone app by the Old Faithful Inn (one of the few spot in the park with WiFi) or check the board near the ranger station.
So depending on how many active geysers you want to try to see this could take 2-6 hours.
Restrooms available. Lots of parking but super-crowded in August and during peak times (10a-6p). Don’t forget water, sun hat and snacks.
Written 8 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SeniorTravelerTF
Fort Atkinson1,250 contributions
Jan 2022
The basin is spectacular, in a very different way, in winter. It was like a visit to Jenny Lake (Grand Tetons) or Crater Lake - every couple of steps I stopped and wondered if this was the most beautiful view, then repeated it several steps later. The geothermal features combined with the basin formation and heavier cold air causes rime on the trees and anything upright, making it look like the entire area has been flocked for the holidays. Other than Old Faithful, the geysers aren't monitored for timing by the Park Service and the features aren't as striking without snow cover and ice - but the rime adds a wonderful new dimension that I think is undersold by the NPS. Add to that, the walk around the upper basin is packed down, easy to follow, and solitary. I encountered just four other people the entire three+ hours I was out on a gorgeous, sunny morning.
Written 31 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kdawg282
Doylestown, PA1,589 contributions
June 2021 • Family
What an awesome experience going through the basin and looking at all of the many geysers! I’m many ways, much better than Old Faithful as much more to see. I recommend going early to avoid the crowds and also because on a chilly morning the view is much better with all the steam! There are restrooms and food nearby at this stop. Highly recommend!
Written 21 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moecat2020
12 contributions
July 2020
This was by far my favorite part of Yellowstone! We walked from Old Faithful to the Morning Glory Pool because I'd heard it was a must-see. It truly was spectacular, but it took an hour and a half for my kids, ages 5 and 7, to make it there, and then they had to walk back. Take a stroller if you have littles. Bonus is that there is a bathroom near Morning Glory Pool. We saw multiple geysers erupt, steam vents, and gorgeous colors in the hot pools. Definitely a must-see!
Written 2 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly Cathcart
Valparaiso, IN1,191 contributions
Sept 2020
This is a long winding trail system along the way you see tons of geysers. It was so large of an area that it feels like you are on a desalt foreign planet. At one point we walked thru the steam of a geyser that was blowing over the trail. It might not have been healthy but we lived and it makes for a cool story.
Written 21 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James C
Williamsburg, VA1,108 contributions
June 2021 • Couples
The Upper Geyser Basin is something you must not pass up. It my second favorite Yellowstone location after the West Thumb Geyser Basin with all its colors and adjacent to the lake. Make sure walk the complete boardwalk and enjoy the geyser features along the way. Enjoy the education center and watch Old Faithful spout out. There was even a resting Buffalo by the road as we drove in. Remember to look from a distance and do not disturb them.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nettie2010
Saint Charles, MO338 contributions
July 2021
Unless you're crazy about geysers and such, I'd skip this except for OF then do West Thumb and go to Mammoth HS to see the terraces. Our fav hike was Fairy Falls (just a really nice hike) where you see Imperial Geyser as well. We did several of the other short geyser walks like Fountain Paint Pots to get your fill with more diversity than this hike.
Written 12 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
is it easy to find parking during the peak season e.g. July? is it available to use stroller from parking spot to the geysers? thanks
Written 9 May 2018
What's it like in early November is there a time of year better than another?
Written 30 October 2017
Some experienced visitors say that mid winter is the best time as few visitors at that time and everything will be via ski! Plus the park is even more enchanting in winter!
Written 30 October 2017
How much time would it take to cover the boardwalk loop thru Upper Geyser Basin? Not counting waiting for any geysers to erupt.
Written 8 March 2017
Hi Daniel: This is kind of a loaded question. That is if you are to go directly from Old Faithful up to the Morning Pool (near the end of the upper geyser basin) it is 1.5 miles. Depending on how often you stop, how fast you walk, will determine the amount of time you need. My opinion, give this ENTIRE walk (you can find a trail map of the area online search, or even here in Trip Advisor) about 3 hours. I enjoy photography and there are many places for picture taking. Early morning is the BEST time to go- less crowds. Better yet, going to Yellowstone during the shoulder seasons, less heat, less crowds altogether. This is what we found. If going in summer- definitely hit this area EARLY. Whatever you do, if you can, spend a couple days in the Old Faithful area, you will not be board or without things to do and see.
Written 9 March 2017
Where would be a great place to get a room for the week to visit these areas in Yellowstone? Any tips appreciated. Is Jackson Hole close enough to see all these great places in yellowstone .
Written 14 October 2016
West Yellowstone is about 30 miles from Old Faithful. Most of the geysers are between these two points. These are also the most crowded sites. Not to say other areas aren't wonderful, just not as crowded. We took four day trips from West Yellowstone and all were easily done, the shortest in miles: Old Faithful, took the longest.
Written 19 October 2016
what would happen if u fell in2 the pools
Written 20 September 2016
Yes you can ...I believe you can see this on tours and on a permit obtained by park service for snow mobiles
Written 19 August 2015
Can you drive to the geysers in Yellowstone in the winter?
Written 22 January 2015
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