Midway Geyser Basin and the Grand Prismatic Spring

The Grand Prismatic Spring is arguably the best-known feature in Yellowstone National Park after Old Faithful Geyser. As such, it’s a very busy attraction, but there’s usually still space to stand and enjoy the colors and the steam rising off of the huge spring. I also loved the reflections in the runoff channels. Secondary to the main attraction is one of the most prolific hot springs in the park (Excelsior) and several other geothermal features. Parking is one of the hardest parts of visiting The Grand Prismatic Spring. The parking area is fairly small. However, there is a lot of parking along the road, especially on the right when coming from Madison Junction. So if you don’t mind walking a little further, you can probably get a spot much faster. You can also try visiting after 3pm (visitng before 10am is an option, but the cold night tends to create fog over the hot spring, making the views better in the afternoon than the morning).

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0.0 Midway Geyser Basin Trailhead (7,235ft.). Walk the paved path and cross the bridge over the Firehole River. Immediately at the end of the bridge, the boardwalk will turn right and then left in a switchback to rise up to the elevation of the hot springs. Enjoy the colorful water channels and waterfalls flowing out of Excelsior Geyser. (44.5278700°, -110.8358330°)

0.15 Loop Junction (7,261ft.). Turn left to continue along the side of Excelsior Geyser. The loop is technically one-way, with foot traffic flowing clockwise. (44.5265124°, -110.8373070°)

0.2 Excelsior Geyser Viewing Area (7,260ft.). You’ve been walking along the geyser for some time, but the views are good from here, as well. Excelsior Geyser is one of the largest, hottest, most prolific geysers in Yellowstone National Park. It measures 200x300ft. in diameter and dumps an average of 4,000 gallons of water into the Firehole River every minute. Continue along the boardwalk as it loops toward the Grand Prismatic Spring. (44.5260094°, -110.8368499°)

0.3 Grand Prismatic Spring Viewing Area 1 (7,265ft.). The colors of the spring are amazing. However, it’s difficult to see all of the colors since you’re looking across the pool instead of down on it., and there are quite a few reflections After you’ve taken pictures and enjoyed the colors, continue walking on the boardwalk. There is a second overlook just before the boardwalk leaves the spring area. The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone. It measures 200x370ft. across and is more than 121ft. deep. (44.5253385°, -110.8374119°)

0.4 Opal Pool (7,260ft.). Continue down the boardwalk. (44.526615°, -110.8384703°)

0.5 Turquoise Pool (7,261ft.). Continue a short distance to where the loop portion of the boardwalk ends. Turn left to return to the parking area. (44.52652525°, -110.8376860°)

0.75 Midway Geyser Basin Trailhead (7,218ft.). (44.5278700°, -110.8358330°)

At the Grand Prismatic Spring Viewing Area, if you look across the pool to the hillside, you will be able to see people up at the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. This overlook allows you to look down on the pool instead of across it at near-eye level.

Round Trip Trail Length: 0.75 miles plus walking to the trailhead

Elevation Gain: 87ft. (7,228ft. to 7,272ft.) – likely a bit of an overstatement, as the bridge and boardwalks take you on a more even path than the landscape.

Facilities: None

Fees: $35/vehicle, valid 7 days. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Public Lands Passes and Yellowstone National Park Annual Passes are accepted.

Trail Notes: Chances are very good the boardwalk will be crowded. Give yourself extra time to deal with parking hassles and waiting to get your photo at the viewpoints. I find the view from the hill (Grand Prismatic Overlook) to be much more impressive than this boardwalk, but it’s also nice to get up close and personal. As always, stay on the boardwalk – that water is hot! While you can visit before 10am to avoid some of the crowds, it’s better to visit after 3pm, as the cool night air tends to create dense fog over the spring in the morning – so you’ll see a lot more after it warms up a bit!

Trail

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

Midway Geyser Basin GPS Coordinates

TH: 44.5278700°, -110.8358330° (44°31.67220′, -110°50.14998′ / 44°31’40.3320″, -110°50’08.9988″) (7,218ft.) (0.0)

Loop junction: 44.5265124°, -110.8373070° (44°31.59074′, -110°50.23842′ / 44°31’35.4446″, -110°50’14.3052″) (7,261ft.) (0.15)

Excelsior Geyser Overlook: 44.5260094°, -110.8368499° (44°31.56056′, -110°50.21099′ / 44°31’33.6338″, -110°50’12.6596″) (7,260ft.) (0.2)

First Grand Prismatic viewpoint: 44.5253385°, -110.8374119° (44°31.52031′, -110°50.24471′ / 44°31’31.2186″, -110°50’14.6828″) (7,265ft.) (0.3)

Opal Pool: 44.526615°, -110.8384703° (44°31.59690′, -110°50.30822′ / 44°31’35.8140″, -110°50’18.4931″) (7,260ft.) (0.4)

Turquoise Pool: 44.52652525°, -110.8376860° (44°31.59152′, -110°50.26116′ / 44°31’35.4909″, -110°50’15.6696″) (7,261ft.) (0.5)

End at TH: 44.5278450°, -110.8358250° (44°31.67070′, -110°50.14950′ / 44°31’40.2420″, -110°50’08.9700″) (7,218ft.) (0.74)

The gpx file for Midway Geyser Basin can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

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Getting to Grand Prismatic Spring (Midway Geyser Basin)

From Madison Junction, drive south, following signs for Old Faithful. After 10.2 miles, turn right into the parking area for Midway Geyser Basin. If there are no parking spaces available (very likely), go back the way you came, turn around, and take one of the social parking spaces on the right side of the road.

From West Thumb, drive west (north), following signs for Old Faithful. After 23.2 miles (you will pass by Old Faithful before this), turn left, following the sign for the Midway Geyser Basin. If there are no parking spaces available (very likely), continue straight on the road, turn around, and then take one of the social parking spaces on the now right side of the road.

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