Grand Prismatic Spring is a highlight of any visit to Yellowstone National Park! The largest hot spring in the park, the deep blue pool, is surrounded by yellow and orange algae. This is a spot you want to make sure and take time to visit.
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Grand Prismatic Spring - Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring is approximately 370 feet in diameter and more than 121 feet in depth. It is the third-largest hot spring in the world and the largest in the United States.
This epic thermal feature is larger than a football field!
One thing to know about Grand Prismatic Spring is that itis incredibly popular and busy! If you arrive at mid-day or on a weekend, you can expect the parking lot to be crowded and super busy.
You will want to plan an hour or two at a minimum for exploring this area. If you get done sooner, you will have more time for exploring Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pot, Firehole Lake Drive, or any of the other attractions in the park.
It is worth noting that the road signs read Midway Geyser Basin, not Grand Prismatic Spring, making it easy to overlook that this epic spot is part of the geyser basin.
Make sure you do not touch the hot spring waters or really any thermal feature in the park! The waters of the Grand Prismatic Spring run at an average of 160ºF.
The rainbow colors around the spring change by season, depending on the weather and water temperature. In the summer, the pool is vibrant with yellow, orange, and green. In the winter, the colors can be a more muted brown and orange.
Make sure to plan time to see the entire Midway Geyser Basin, including Excelsior Geyser, Opal Pool, and Turquoise Pool.
What is the best time to visit Grand Prismatic Spring?
The best time really depends on whether you want to get epic photos or really want to escape the crowds as much as possible.
Grand Prismatic Spring is crazy popular and busy pretty much ALL DAY!
For photography, the best time to visit is in the middle of the day on a bright sunny day when the pool is clear and not covered in steam. This is also one of the most popular times of day, so you will want to be prepared for parking issues.
Photography Tips
If you have seen super vibrant photos of Grand Prismatic Spring and want to capture the same shot, be sure to plan enough time for the conditions.
Many times, the steam coming off of Grand Prismatic Spring can get clouded in, and the views are not what you may be hoping for.
The photos you are seeing were taken on a perfect, sunny day with no steam, which doesn't happen all the time.
In the morning, Grand Prismatic is often covered in steam due to the ambient air being colder than the pools.
Please note that drones are not allowed within Yellowstone National Park.
Camera Gear we use
We are big fans of using great camera gear to get amazing photos while traveling.
Canon R5 - We recently upgraded to the R5 after using a Mark 5 for years. We are loving the camera shutter speed and quality of images.
Canon 100 - 500mm - We use the Canon 100-500 for wildlife photography.
Camera Rain Cover - A rain cover will help protect your camera during rain showers but also when photographing waterfalls.
Camera Cleaning Kit - Cameras can get dirty, beat up, and dusty while in the parks. We like having a cleaning kit with us so we can do on the spot touch ups.
Extra Camera Batteries - We suggest always having one or two extra camera batteries with you. There is nothing worse than going to take a shot and the battery dies.
Extra Memory Cards - We use Extreme PRO SanDisk cards
Where is Grand Prismatic Spring?
Midway Geyser Basin is on the Lower Loop Road, approximately 10.5 miles south of Madison on the west side of the road.
Don't miss Excelsior Geyser along the same boardwalk.
How to get to Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring is located off the Yellowstone loop road. You will see signs for Midway Geyser Basin.
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook provides an epic sweeping view of Grand Prismatic and the surrounding area.
Trail Length - The trail is .6 miles and has a 105-foot elevation gain.
Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Parking/Trailhead - Park 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Midway Geyser Basin at the Fairy Falls Parking Lot.
Overlook things to know - The trail does not open until May due to bear management.
Parking is extremely limited, so be prepared to wait for a spot.
Pets are not allowed on the trail.
The Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail is an easy to challenging hike depending on the hiker’s physical abilities.
This is due to the incline of the hike and the trail material. The trail is made of black sand/gravel. It makes it difficult to walk this trail.
Especially for people with knee, back, or other health conditions. The hike passes by the Midway Geyser Basin, giving you a beautiful view.
You will make your way up the incline as it winds up and makes its way to the top. This rough hike is definitely worth the view when you arrive and see the breathtaking Grand Prismatic Springs from above.
How was the Grand Prismatic Spring formed?
Yellowstone is full of hydrothermal hot springs (nature’s jacuzzi tubs) where water is continually rising, causing fractures in the surface of the earth.
Different from a geyser (ie, Old Faithful), hot springs do not have obstructions near the surface, causing them to erupt.
Instead, a hot spring is similar to a jacuzzi, where hot water travels up to the top and cools as it reaches the surface, causing that water to sink and be replaced by hotter water from below.
However, unlike your average jacuzzi, Grand Prismatic sits on a bed of rhyolitic rock, which is a colored variation of volcanic rock with high silica content.
Also, unlike Jacuzzis, which are typically plugged into a local power source, Grand Prismatic is warmed by the heat of the magma from deep in the earth.
As this mineral-heavy water travels to the surface and heads out of the spring to cool, the sinter, or the white-gray landscape around the spring, you see, is beginning to form.
Wait, Where’s the Smell?
If you've visited a hot spring before, your nose often lets you know you are reaching your destination before you can even see the springs.
This is due to sulfur binding with oxygen to form the compound sulfate. Another significant difference Grand Prismatic Spring holds versus other hot springs is the absence of that familiar smell of sulfur (rotten egg) in the air.
This is a lucky coincidence that no hydrogen sulfide gas is present in the air, though it could remain in the water.
How Hot is Grand Prismatic Spring?
188.6 degrees Fahrenheit up to 205 degrees.
Can you swim in the Grand Prismatic Spring?
No!!! No!!! No!!!
I don't know if we can say NO enough about anyone swimming in Grand Prismatic Spring.
The pool is over 188 degrees and will kill you, and if it doesn't kill you, it is guaranteed to cause 3rd-degree burns in seconds.
While this temp is perfect for budding bacteria, it is very unsafe for humans, causing catastrophic burns and even death.
Why is Grand Prismatic Spring So Colorful?
Grand Prismatic Springs gets its name because of the rainbow of colors within the pool.
Deep below Yellowstone NP, an active volcano's magma heats water that rises to the surface through fissures in the earth's crust.
The spring is formed when water emerges from deep cracks in the earth's surface. The water flows upwards into the center of the pool at a high temperature and then cools down as it spreads over the pool.
The rings of temperature create the different colors within the pool. Each temperature zone is inhabited by heat-loving bacteria called thermopiles.
The center of the pool is always a deep blue due to the high temperature of the water, creating a sterile environment.
The water is moving so much that the hot spring pours 500 gallons of water every minute into the Firehole River.
No, it’s not your polarized sunglasses causing the… well, grand… display of color at Grand Prismatic Spring, but rather the thermophilic (heat-loving) bacteria who make their homes beneath the bubbling surface.
Grand Prismatic holds the presence of chemotrophs (organisms that use chemicals as a source of energy) mixed with a great deal of phototrophic life.
While a lot of Grand Prismatic’s bacteria are photosynthetic, relying heavily on the sun, there is debate whether a chemotrophic bacterium, Aquifex, which is fueled by hydrogen gas, is also present.
Three recognizable cyanobacteria (aquatic photosynthesizing bacteria) have been identified across the scalding temperatures of the spring.
All cyanobacteria use light as their main energy source and are responsible for the greens, oranges, yellows, reds, and browns that you may glimpse while looking at the spring.
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.
Nearby Yellowstone Attractions
Old Faithful - Old Faithful is just down the road from the Midway Geyser Basin.
Firehole Lake Drive - Check out the Great Fountain Geyser, White Dome Geyser, and Firehole Lake on this beautiful scenic 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.
Fairy Falls - Fairy Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Yellowstone. You can easily reach the falls by walking the Fairy Falls trail as it continues past the Grand Prismatic overlook.
Things to Know
There are bathrooms available in the main parking lot. Be prepared for there to be a line!
Make sure to bring water with you for the walk. There is no water available along the boardwalk.
There is no shade along the boardwalk! Be prepared for the sun and weather.
Closest Campground
- Additional Yellowstone Campgrounds.
Closest Yellowstone Lodging
The closest National Park Lodges to Grand Prismatic Spring include:
- The Old Faithful Inn
- The Snow Lodge
- Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
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.
Additional Yellowstone Resources
Yellowstone Lodging -Check out all of the lodges you can stay in while visiting Yellowstone NP.
Yellowstone Camping - Check out all of the campgrounds available within the park.
Things to do Yellowstone - Check out all of the top things to do in the park.
Yellowstone Facts - Learn more about the unique features in Yellowstone.
Free National Park Days - Check out all of the days the National Park Service waives park entrance fees.
National Parks in Wyoming - Check out all of the parks you can visit while in Wyoming.
Grand Teton Guide - Everything you need to know to plan a great visit to Grand Teton NP
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