Geyser Hill in Yellowstone National Park

Geyser Hill is a group of thermal features, including geysers, springs, and pools, next to Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin.

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Geyser Hill in Yellowstone National Park

Geyser Hill is a must for any Yellowstone visitor. It begins at Old Faithful and is a short boardwalk loop trail with over 50 of the 500 geysers in Yellowstone. This is very impressive considering the small area it is located within the Upper Geyser Basin, which is the fourth largest geyser field in the world!

I have listed below a dozen of my favorite and most popular Geysers on Geyser Hill, which I hope will make you want to visit Yellowstone in the future!

Location - From Old Faithful Geyser, begin counterclockwise around the geyser towards the Firehole River and Observation Point. The trail begins just past the Firehole River.

Trail Distance - .6 miles

Parking - In the Old Faithful Parking Lot in the Upper Geyser Basin

Tips for a safe visit -

• Always stay on trails and boardwalks. This area has places where there is a thin, breakable crust with scalding water underneath.
• Do not attempt to get near the hydrothermal waters, as they can exceed 200 degrees and can lead to severe injuries and possibly fatal burns.
• Watch children at all times
• Do not run, push, or shove.
• Do not scratch hydrothermal mats.

You should start your trip watching Old Faithful, after all, it's the icon of Yellowstone! After enjoying Old Faithful Erupt, head to Geyser Hill, where you will run into several springs, including Blue Star Spring, Chinese Spring, and East Chinaman Spring.

You can extend your hike to the Observation Point trail to Solitary Geyser and Observation Point, which is a great place to see Old Faithful erupt from a distance.

Another fun hike is to make a larger loop trail and start counterclockwise, beginning with Castle Geyser. Shortly after Castle Geyser, turn right toward Crested Pool and Sawmill Geyser. Afterward, take another right toward Geyser Hill, eventually ending back at Old Faithful.

Remember that Yellowstone has an entrance fee separate from camping fees.

Fountain-type geysers are the most common type and have a pool, which is often mistaken for a hot spring, as opposed to a narrow vent like a cone geyser. Water passes through the pool before the eruption, creating a fountain look as opposed to the straight-up in the air force from a cone geyser.

Great Fountain Geyser is a great example of a fountain-type geyser.

Sinter: a geyserite or siliceous sinter is a form of opaline silica that is often found as crusts or layers around geysers and hot springs (source Wikipedia)

Blue Star Spring

Blue Star Spring gets its name from the shape of its blue pool surrounded by sinter. Eruptions are very rare; in fact, the last known eruption was back in 2002!

Average temperature: 190.7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chinese Spring

Chinese Spring gets its name from its past history of a Chinese immigrant who did their laundry (in the 1850's) in the spring when it erupted and threw their clothes into the air.

Chinese Spring will occasionally erupt up to heights of twenty feet.

Average temperature: 197.4 degrees Fahrenheit.

Anemone Geyser

Anemone Geyser is actually two geysers within ten feet of each other. It is likely named for the flower as both vents has a pale yellow color and shape of the flower.

Eruptions typically occur every seven to twenty minutes up to six to eight feet high and lasting 25 to 45 seconds.

Average Temperature: 184.8 Degrees Fahrenheit.

Plume Geyser

Plume Geyser was created in 1922 from a steam explosion, which created its vent. Another eruption in 1972 made the vent larger.

Plume Geyser changes its eruptions, but currently, it erupts every 20 minutes or so with 3-5 quick bursts up to twenty to twenty-five feet high.

Average Temperature: 191.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

Beehive Geyser

Beehive Geyser is named because its four-foot-high silica cone is in the shape of a beehive.

Beehive Geyser is unpredictable, but it is rather impressive when it does erupt. It sends water to heights of 200 feet and lasts around five minutes!

When it becomes active, it will typically erupt 1-2 ties a day.

Average Temperature: 198.5 degrees Fahrenheit

Heart Spring

Heart Spring is named because it is shaped like a heart. I have to admit, it immediately captured my attention! It has a fifteen-foot-deep pool and is considered inactive.

Lion Geyser Group

The Lion Group has three hot springs and four geysers, including Lion Geyser, Lioness Geyser, Big Cub Geyser, and Little Cub Geyser.

The Lion Geyser was named because of the sound it makes when steam is released during eruptions. Its eruptions can reach approximately ninety to one hundred feet high and last one to seven minutes. Between eruptions, the duration can be anywhere from six hours to several days.

Lioness and Big Cub Geysers rarely erupt, but if you get lucky, they can reach heights of fifty feet.

Average Temperature: 197.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ear Spring

Ear Spring is named because of its shape looks like an ear.

This normally quiet spring came to life in September 2018, gathering worldwide attention as it was the first eruption since 2004 and only the fourth time in forty years.

Consider yourself lucky to see this eruption and enjoy its eruption sending water twenty to thirty feet in the air.

Aurum Geyser

When you look at Aurum Geyser, the first thing you will notice is the coloring around this cone-type geyser.

The coloring comes from the iron oxide that settles after each eruption that occurs every two and a half to seven hours.

Iron oxide gives it a gold color, which is why it is named Aurum, the Latin word for gold.

Eruptions can last up to sixty seconds to ninety seconds and reach heights of twenty to twenty-five feet.

Average Temperature: 196.7 degrees Fahrenheit

Doublet Pool

Doublet Pool is, in reality, two pools connected together. They are easily identifiable with their geyserite/siliceous sinter edge. The pools are eight to twelve feet deep and rarely erupt, with eruptions two to three feet high.

Average Temperature: 187.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sponge Geyser

Sponge Geyser is named because of its appearance of a sponge.

Sponge Geyser has very active eruptions reaching one to two feet high lasting up to one minute. It has similar intervals between eruptions.

Average Temperature: 199.0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Giantess Geyser

Giantess Geyser was named by Nathaniel Langford of the 1870 Washburn Expedition as it was the tallest of all the geysers they saw on their expedition.

Giantess Geyser is unpredictable and can erupt between 0-41 times a year. The impressive part is seeing this geyser come to life as it can send water 200 feet into the air!

Average temperature: 196 degrees Fahrenheit.

Yellowstone National Park Tours and Activities

Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
⭐️ Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours to 1 day | 🔊Check Rates and Availability

See the highlights of Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park without worrying about going with a tour group. This audio tour lets you navigate the way to see what you are intrested in the most, or you can use a planned out itinerary. Plus, this audio tour works even if your smartphone doesen't have service or WIFI.

Full-Day Guided Yellowstone Day Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 11-12 hours |  🚌Check Rates and Availability

Leave the planning of a Yellowstone Adventure up to us and we'll have a spectacular day to savor in the world's first national park while you relax and take in the views. This tour focuses on Yellowstone's Lower Loop, including Hayden Valley, Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, and Gibbon Falls. Pick-up and drop-off are at your hotel with a provided lunch.

6-Mile Geyser Hiking Tour in Yellowstone with Lunch
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours |  🥾Check Rates and Availability

Marvel at the geothermal landscapes of Yellowstone National Park on this guided 6-mile (9.7km) hike. While most visitors stop at Old Faithful, this hike reveals even more of the park's natural wonders, passing hissing geysers and steam vents, and steamy hot springs. This hike is approximately six hours long from the Daisy Geyser Trailhead along the Firehole River as you look out for wildlife and refuel with a hearty picnic lunch along the way.

Full Day Private Fly Fishing in Yellowstone
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours |  🎣 Check Rates and Availability

The local guides know the ins and outs of the river system within Yellowstone National Park. Not only are we equipped with the equipment, knowledge, and permits to provide you with some additional or new understanding of fly fishing and they come with a zest and love for the ecosystem in which we are bringing you into. We will strive to make sure this is an adventure you will never forget.

Click here to find more great Yellowstone National Park Tours.

Additional Yellowstone National Park Information & Resources

National Park Lodges available in Yellowstone National Park

There are nine National Park Lodges with over 2,000 rooms available in Yellowstone National Park. We suggest staying at a couple different lodges in different areas to provide easy access to different portions of the park.

Two lodges are open year-round including:

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins
🏨Ready to Book the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel -> Click Here

The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel has hotel rooms and cabin accommodations. (Cabins are seasonal) and steps away from Mammoth Hot Springs and a great option for exploring Lamar Valley and wildlife viewing.

The Old Faithful Snow Lodge
🏨Ready to Book the Old Faithful Snow Lodge -> Click Here

The Old Faithful Snow Lodge is a newer lodge in Yellowstone with several upgraded ammenities and just steps from Old Faithful, Geyser Hill, and the lower Geyser Basin!

Lodges that are open from late spring through fall include:

Canyon Lodge and Cabins: 
🏨Ready to Book the Canyon Lodge and Cabins -> Click Here

This is a modern lodge that is located in Canyon Village with several dining options, a visitor center, gift shop, and close to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Falls, Hayden Valley, and Norris Geyser Basin. Canyon Lodge has 400+ guest rooms spread across 5 hotel-style lodges, with 100+ cabins being more rustic accommodations.

Grant Village Lodge
🏨Ready to Book the Grant Village Lodge -> Click Here

 You will love the EPIC views of Lake Yellowstone from the Lodge's two restaurants (make sure to get advance reservations for dinner) as the sunset is pretty epic and registered guests to the Grant Village Lodge can make reservations before anyone else! THe lodge is also in close proximity to Lake Yellowstone, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Lower Geyser Basin and Old Faithful, and Hayden Valley! Grant Village Lodge features 300 guest rooms spread across 6 two-story, hotel-style lodges.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Yellowstone Hotel -> Click Here

I like to describe the Lake Yellowstone Hotel as understated luxury with amazing views of the lake. It is also close to Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Falls. lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations.

Lake Lodge Cabins: 
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Lodge Cabins -> Click Here

I love staying in these cabins because everytime I have stayed here, it seems like there is wildlife everywhere, especially elk and bison! Thre is186 very cozy cabins located near Lake Yellowstone lodge.

Old Faithful Inn
🏨Ready to Book The Old Faithful Inn -> Click Here

The Old Faithful Inn is arguably the pinnacle of all National Park Lodges! It is a right-of-passage to stay here, especially for fans of the parks, especially fans of the lodges and the National Park Rustic "Parkitecture" design. If you can't get a room here, make sure to at least stop in and check out the lobby and perhaps have lunch in the dining room.

Old Faithful Lodge
🏨Ready to Book The Old Faithful Lodge -> Click Here

These Cabin accommodations are located about as close as you can get to Old Faithful itself! You can also walk right out and take the Geyser Hill Trail, a must for any first time visitor to Yellowstone.

Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins
🏨Ready to Book The Roosevelt Lodge -> Click Here

 These Cabin accommodations is the closest lodging in the park you can get to Lamar Valley! Caution, these rooms are hard to get as they are very popular. They also have an Old West Dinner Cookout, offer horseback rides, and Stagecoach Adventures.

Lodging near Yellowstone NP

Lodging options in West Yellowstone, Montana

Gray Wolf Inn & Suites islocated close to the park's West Entrance, and provides a firepit, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour gym. They also offer a hot tub, free WIFI and a business center.

Stage Coach Inn has a free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. They also have a sauna, free WIFI, a gym, and a 24-hour business center.

Yellowstone Westgate Hotel offers a free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. They also have a hot tub, free WIFI, and a business center.

Brandin' Iron Inn is located close to the park's West Entrance, provides free full breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby and free WIFI.

Kelly Inn West Yellowstone - free continental breakfast, a free roundtrip airport shuttle, and a firepit. They also have a hot tub. free WIFI, laundry facilities and a business center.

Lodging options in Gardiner, Montana

Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel this campground has coffee/tea and a microwave in a common area. Free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi in public areas are also provided. Additionally, concierge services, a garden, and barbecue grills are onsite. All 17 accommodations boast heated floor (bathroom) and offer Wi-Fi and 8 bathrooms. Other amenities available to guests include memory foam beds, premium bedding, and rainfall showerheads. Private bathrooms are not ensuite.

Super 8 by Wyndham Gardiner provides dry cleaning/laundry services and more. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Click on the maps below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Yellowstone NP.

Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fee

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 five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Don't forget to pack

Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water. 

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.  Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors. 

Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.

Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

Additional Yellowstone National Park Resources

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.

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.

Ultimate Yellowstone Camping Guide - This complete guide to camping in Yellowstone includes all front country campgrounds

Parks near Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton National Park 

Complete Guide to Grand Teton National Park - Your complete guide to go explore Grand Teton National Park before or after you visit Yellowstone!

Grand Teton Camping Guide - Complete Guide to all of Grand Teton National Parks campgrounds.

Grand Teton Lodging Guide - Complete Guide to all of Grand Teton's Lodges.

Glacier National Park

Epic Guide to Glacier National Park - Complete guide to exploring Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park Camping Guide - Complete Guide to all of Glacier National Park front country campgrounds

Glacier National Park Lodging Guide - Complete Guide to Glacier National Park Lodges

Additional Montana National Parks 

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

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