Managing to wake up early before the dew disappeared, I followed the Upper Geyser Basin’s wooden boardwalk that meandered through the world’s largest concentration of geysers. It is estimated that 25,000 spectators pass through this menagerie of exotic formations each day. I was completely mesmerized by the clear water features and pools of water as they bubbled and sputtered from the heat.
I strolled the boardwalk with its twists and turns. There was a sulfuric cloud that floated above the geysers and hot springs in the morning. This gaseous mist could be seen from miles away. A mixture of orange and white run off trickled down towards the Excelsior Pool, last active in 1986 when it erupted for a period of 48 hours.
Exploring the features along the boardwalk, there was one in particular that caught my eye. It reminded me of a mini volcano with ashen sides and boiling water in its center.
The pools were as blue as the waters of the Caribbean. More cliffs and crags below the waterline were visible with the passing mist. Individual in their own way, some had crystallized edgings that gave a deceptive coldness to their character.
The contrast of color was intensified by the green of the nearby forest. The light blue pool of water and its rising steam was spectacular in the midst of this land of geological splendor.
And splendid it was as I admiringly approached the Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the most beautiful of all the hot springs in Yellowstone. Just beneath its surface the volcanic magma heats the water reaching temperatures of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Having only spent an hour here, I was eager to move on to see the Grand Prismatic Spring feature of the Midway Geyser Basin. I was also looking forward to taking the Fairy Trail hike for a more scenic, unobstructed view of this beautiful place.
What is your favorite place to visit at Yellowstone? I would love to hear about your experience exploring this phenomenal National Park in the US if you would kindly leave your message in the comments below. Many thanks for reading my post about the Geyser Valley of Yellowstone! Wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Yellowstone National Park
PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7381
- Admission Fee: Each entrance fee covers 7 days of park entry. Private Vehicle: $35; Motorcycle: $30 and Hiker/Biker: $20 which only applies to visitors 16 years old and older entering the park by foot, bicycle, etc. An annual Pass for Yellowstone National Park is $70 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. The Yellowstone National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Pass which allows access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for a cost of $80 which is valid for one year through the month of purchase. Check out their website for more information: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm
- Hours: Open daily, 24 hours; Refer to the Yellowstone National Park website for the operating hours of the Visitor Centers.
- Amenities: camping, hiking, boating, skiing, biking, bird watching, climbing and mountaineering, fishing, horseback riding and llama packing, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, Visitor’s Centers which provide interpretive exhibits and park information and Ranger programs. Guided tours are also available in the park.
- Scenic View: Take in the view of Grand Prismatic Spring from the Overlook off of the Fairy Falls Trailhead. For the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, you can see this beautiful waterfall from several locations offering different views of the falls: Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Uncle Tom’s Trail and Artist Point. Check out the stadium seating at Old Faithful for a front row seat of this geyser that erupts every 35 to 120 minutes. The park’s Twitter account, @GeyserNPS, the Geyser Activity Page on their website or the Geyser App lists the predicted times for Old Faithful.
- Length of Visit: Three days is recommended to see all of the attractions at Yellowstone.
- Tips for Your Visit: The park is open year around, but winter time can be a challenging during snow and ice. If you are looking for animals, winter is the time that they hibernate. Spring is a wonderful time to visit because you can see newborn babies. When viewing wildlife, you must stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yard from all other animals in the park. For photographers, you may already know that dawn and dusk are the best times to photograph animals and you will want to bring a telephoto lens for capturing them from far distances. Summer is the busiest time for the park you may find road construction and traffic.
Where to Stay:
I was fortunate enough to stay at one of the lodges at Yellowstone. I absolutely loved staying at the park and have Melba Coleman to thank for assisting me in my reservation.
Where to Eat:
Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Yellowstone Park, WY 82190
Telephone: 307 344 7311
For a light lunch, I ordered the charcuterie plate which included meats, cheeses, olives, walnuts and whole grain crackers. It was the perfect location to enjoy the park sitting by a large viewing window, mesmerized by the spectacular view.
What to Eat:
- Bison
- Elk
- Trout
What to Read:
- American Wolf by Nate Blakeslee
- Empire of Shadows: The Epic Story of Yellowstone, by George Black
- The Wolverine Way, by Douglas H. Chadwick
Photo Guide for Yellowstone:
- Artist Point
- Excelsior Geyser Crater
- Fairy Falls
- Fountain Paint Pots
- Grand Prismatic Spring
- Great Fountain Geyser
- Minerva Terrace
- Morning Glory Pool
- Norris Geyser Basin
- Old Faithful
- Overlook Point
- Palette Spring
- Roaring Mountain
- Trout Lake
- Upper Falls View
