Firehole Lake Drive is one of our favorite scenic drives within Yellowstone National Park. This 2-mile drive takes you by amazing geysers, hot lakes, hot springs, and even a hot cascade. You could say it is a HOT Drive.
Here are my top finds for the Old Faithful Area of Yellowstone NP
🏨Lodges: Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, 1872 INN
📍Tours: Full-Day Guided Yellowstone Day Tour from West Yellowstone, Lower Loop Van Tour from West Yellowstone including Grand Prismatic & Old Faithful
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Firehole Lake Drive
Location - 1.2 miles south of Fountain Paint Pot between Madison and Old Faithful.
Driving Distance - 2 miles
Firehole Lake Drive is an easy paved road perfect for exploring. The road is too small for RV's or Buses!
We love exploring Firehole Lake Drive at all different times of the day. Early in the morning, you can see the steam rising from all the thermal features and enjoy the drive almost to yourself.
At sunset the photos are amazing! The colors reflecting in the Great Fountain Geyser pool are breathtaking and a must-see.
Firehole Spring
One of the first pullouts is Firehole Spring. Early explorers thought that the large bubbles looked like flashes of light which earned this springs name of Firehole Spring.
Firehole Spring looks absolutely amazing when the sun is high in the sky illuminating the bright blue pool.
Surprise Pool
Surprise Pool is a gorgeous deep blue color with wide intricate overhangs of sinter. Early visitors to the park would throw sand in the pool to cause "surprise" boiling.
Thankfully this early activity did not cause permanent damage to the springs.
Great Fountain Geyser
When Great Fountain Geyser erupts it averages 100 feet high. There are rare super bursts that can reach 200 feet or more. Eruptions can last 45-60 minutes in a series of bursts.
Keep an eye out on the pool to see it slowly filling and then begin to overflow 70 to 100 minutes before it is due to erupt again.
The estimated eruption times are posted on a sign near the entrance to the boardwalk. You can also find the times in many of the Yellowstone Lodges.
We sat for over two hours watching the sunset while waiting for Great Fountain Geyser to erupt. It of course erupted as soon as it is was too dark to take photos. LOL!
There is a wonderful boardwalk with benches set up so you can view the geyser erupting. We had a wonderful time talking with other visitors while we waited for the eruption.
White Dome Geyser
White Dome Geyser has a massive cone that indicates it has probably been erupting for hundreds of years. The sinter deposits have caused the eruptions to push through a narrow vent and minimize the eruption strength.
Eruptions still reach a height of about 30 feet which is equal to the height of the massive cone. White Dome Geyser eruptions last approximately two minutes before changing into spray and steam.
On average White Dome Geyser erupts every 30-35 minutes but it can take as long as 3 hours.
Pink Cone Geyser
There are no records of Pink Cone Geyser erupting until 1887. From 1889 to 1936 Pink Cone Geyers appeared to have gone dormant.
After 1936 for 23 years Pink Cone Geyser started erupting every two days until 1959 and the Hebgen Lake Earthquake. After the earthquake, the geyser intervals were as short as every 50 minutes.
Currently, Pink Cone Geyser erupts approximately every 29 hours for a duration of about 100 minutes. The eruption is up to 30 feet high.
The pink color is caused by small amounts of manganese oxide.
We were so excited to see Pink Cone Geyser erupting while we were exploring Firehole Lake Drive. The sheer size of the geyser is shocking considering the tiny little cone you see when it isn't erupting.
You could easily drive by the Pink Cone Geyser and not think anything of it. We honestly didn't think much of it until we came across it erupting and it was absolutely amazing.
Firehole Lake
Firehole Lake is the largest hot spring in the area. The water averages 158 degrees Fahrenheit from the supply vents. There are high levels of carbon dioxide in the water.
The high levels of carbon dioxide allow the water to carry more calcium which produces the deposits of travertine around the lake edges.
The black deposits are manganese oxide along with dark mats of thermophiles that grow there.
Look for the Young Hopeful Geyser that almost continuously splashes up to 2 feet high. There are also other small geysers around the lake that can splash water up to 10 feet high.
There is a great boardwalk around a portion of Firehole Lake and the surrounding waters that are well worth checking out. It is a great opportunity to stretch your legs and see amazing thermal features. There is a great parking area that gives you access to the boardwalk.
Steady Geyser can be seen along the boardwalk with its calcium carbonate mineral deposits. Black Warrior Lake is a dark color due to manganese oxide.
At the end of the boardwalk is Hot Cascades. This steaming fall of water flows from Black Warrior into Hot Lake.
Firehole Lake Drive Map
Where is Firehole Lake Drive?
Firehole Lake Drive is south of Madison Junction on the way to Old Faithful off the Grand Loop Road.
Best Yellowstone National Park Tours & Activities
Full-Day Guided Yellowstone Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (677+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 12 hours | 🚐🦌 Check Rates and Availability
One of the most booked and highest-reviewed full-day Yellowstone experiences, this comprehensive guided day tour covers every iconic sight in the park in a single well-organized 12-hour journey.
The tour guarantees Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and all the must-see highlights, with the guide staying by your side throughout, never leaving guests to figure things out on their own. A lunch is included. Recommended by 98% of travelers across nearly 700 reviews. Booked an average of 40 days in advance. Pickup is included from hotels in West Yellowstone.
Lower Loop Van Tour from West Yellowstone: Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (385+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🚐🌋 Check Rates and Availability
This full-day van tour is the go-to choice for visitors who want to see the Lower Loop's greatest hits without worrying about driving, parking, or navigation. Departing from West Yellowstone at 7 AM with hotel pickup included, the day begins with an early-morning wildlife sweep through Shadow Canyon of the Madison River, where bear and elk are regularly spotted. From there the tour hits the Grand Prismatic Hot Springs overlook, Old Faithful and the historic Old Faithful Inn, West Thumb Geyser Basin on Yellowstone Lake, the bison-filled Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone at Artist Point.
Hotel pickup included from West Yellowstone. Booked an average of 30 days in advance.
6-Mile Geyser Hiking Tour in Yellowstone with Lunch
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (93+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🥾🌋
Check Rates and Availability
Most visitors to Yellowstone spend their time at Old Faithful watching the eruption from the crowded viewing area and then heading back to the parking lot. This tour goes somewhere completely different. Starting at the Daisy Geyser Trailhead and following the Firehole River through the Upper Geyser Basin, your guide takes a small group of up to 14 guests past hissing steam vents, vivid hot springs, and geysers that most park visitors walk right past without knowing what they are looking at.
The route covers 6 miles and about six hours on your feet, passing Grotto Geyser, Observation Point, Daisy Geyser, and a climb up to the Observation Point overlook above Old Faithful where reviewers consistently say the view puts the standard ground-level crowd experience to shame. One reviewer watched Old Faithful erupt twice from two completely different vantage points on the same tour. Another caught Grand Geyser erupting up close after their guide rerouted around a bison blocking the trail.
Click here to find more great Yellowstone National Park Tours.
Nearby Yellowstone Attractions
- Old Faithful - Old Faithful is just down the road from Firehole Lake Drive
- Biscuit Basin - Check out Black Opal Pool and the Jewel Geyser in Biscuit Basin.
- Fountain Paint Pot - Explore the Fountain Paint Pot Trail to check out the Celestine Pool, Jet Geyser, Fountain Geyser, and Clepsydra Geyser.
- Firehole Canyon Drive - Check out Firehole Falls and Firehole River Swimming Area on this great scenic drive.
- Black Sand Basin - This is a great short boardwalk through multiple thermal features.
- Fairy Falls - Fairy Falls can be reached on a 5.4-mile roundtrip hike. At 200 feet it is one of Yellowstone's most spectacular waterfalls
- Norris Geyser Basin - Norris Geyser Basin is home to some of the hottest thermal features in the park. There are two loop trails that guide you along with these thermal features.
Closest Campground
Check out all of the Yellowstone Campgrounds to help plan your time in the park.
Closest Yellowstone Lodging
Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Yellowstone National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Snowmobile - $30.00 Entry for one driver and one passenger (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$20.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$20.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons) ($25.00 plus $20.00 per person)
$125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional Yellowstone National Park Information
- Yellowstone National Park Guide - Your complete guide to exploring the world's first National Park!
- Things to do in Yellowstone - These are the top things to do that you don't want to miss, including exploring the Mammoth Hot Springs, the Museum of the National Park Ranger, Yellowstone Waterfalls, Kayaking in Yellowstone, fishing in Yellowstone, Fairy Falls Trail, and more!
- Yellowstone National Park Facts - Learn more about our 1st National Park and fun facts about the wildlife in the park.
- Yellowstone Wildlife Guide- Complete Guide to seeing wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, including the most popular wildlife viewing areas, including Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley.
- Ultimate Yellowstone National Park Lodging Guide - This complete guide to all of Yellowstone National Park's Lodges and cabins
- Ultimate Yellowstone Camping Guide - This complete guide to camping in Yellowstone includes all front country campgrounds
Yellowstone Geyser Basin Areas
- Upper Geyser Basin, including Biscuit Basin, Black Sand Basin, and Old Faithful Geyser.
- Midway Geyser Basin, including Grand Prismatic Spring and Firehole Lake Drive.
- Lower Geyser Basin, including Fountain Paint Pot Trail and Firehole Canyon Drive
- Norris Geyser Basin-This basin is known for having some of the hottest water and springs in the park. It is actually two basins: Porcelain Basin and Black Basin, with famous geysers, including Ledge Geyser, Cistern Geyser, and Steamboat Geyser.
- West Thumb Geyser Basin - Beautiful boardwalk trail with hydrothermal features right next to Lake Yellowstone!
- Mud Volcano - The Mud Volcano area is Located south of Canyon Village and North of Lake Yellowstone. It has several hydrothermal features, including a mud volcano and Dragon's Mouth Spring.
Additional Montana National Parks
- Complete Guide to Grand Teton National Park - Your complete guide to go explore Grand Teton National Park before or after you visit Yellowstone!
- Epic Guide to Glacier National Park - Complete guide to exploring Glacier National Park
- Little Bighorn Battlefield - Also known as Custer's Last Stand, a place where the Plains Tribes fought their last major battle and won.
- Big Hole National Battlefield - site of the pivotal battle in the Nez Perce War of 1877 between Colonel Gibbon's troops and five bands of the Nez Perce Indians led by the famous Native American Leader, Cheif Joseph.
- Grant Kohr's Ranch National Historic Site - See what ranch life was like in the 1800s in Montana
Check out all of the Montana National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in South Dakota, North Dakota National Parks, and Idaho National Parks.
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