Pros & cons
PROS
- Dense cluster of 50+ geysers on an easy boardwalk loop
- Timeable panorama of Old Faithful from nearby Observation Point
CONS
- Crowded, especially midday
- Little shade and no facilities on the loop
Overview
Geyser Hill is the Upper Geyser Basin’s tightest cluster of thermal features—50+ geysers plus hot springs and steam vents—wrapped in an easy, photogenic boardwalk loop just steps from the Old Faithful hub. It’s the spot to wander after watching Old Faithful, when the crowds thin a bit and the basin’s personality really shows.
What You’ll See
Expect classic cone geysers (including Beehive) and colorful springs like Heart Spring and Doublet Pool, with frequent steam, splashes, and that otherworldly mineral palette driven by heat-loving microbes. You’re also in the neighborhood of heavy-hitters like Giantess and the Lion Group. From the nearby Observation Point, you can grab a high-angle view over Old Faithful and the entire basin—time it right and you can watch an eruption from above.
Route Options
- Geyser Hill boardwalk loop: gentle, family-friendly, and quick to lap before or after Old Faithful.
- Add Observation Point: a short, steeper spur that pays off with a panoramic look at the basin—great for watching Old Faithful if you align with a prediction window.
Best Time to Visit
Beat the rush by coming early morning or later in the day. Midday sees peak crowding and the sun is harsh with little shade. Ranger prediction windows for Old Faithful are posted at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center; note that predictions pause when the center is closed in early November–mid December and mid March–mid April, with the last time posted until updates resume.
Safety and Etiquette
Stay on boardwalks and marked trails—thin crusts and near-boiling water can cause severe burns. Keep children close, give fumaroles and splashing features extra space, and respect wildlife distance.
Practicalities
There aren’t restrooms on the boardwalk itself; use the facilities in the adjacent Old Faithful developed area before you head out. Parking is abundant at the Old Faithful lot. If you need a rinse after a hot day on the basin, pay showers are available at Old Faithful Inn and Old Faithful Lodge.
Geology in a Nutshell
Geysers and springs here are powered by heat from Yellowstone’s magmatic system. Geysers erupt because constrictions in their underground plumbing trap heat and pressure until water flashes to steam. Springs circulate more freely, and their vivid rings are often made by thermophiles that thrive at specific temperatures.
Where it is
44.4634, -110.8299Tips for Geyser Hill
- 01Check Old Faithful’s prediction at the Visitor Education Center, then time your loop.
- 02Walk the Geyser Hill boardwalk first, then climb to Observation Point for the eruption view.
- 03Use restrooms and fill water near Old Faithful before starting—none on the loop.
- 04Arrive early or come late afternoon to dodge crowds and harsh light.
- 05Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen—there’s very little shade.
Amenities
Near Geyser Hill
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayPump GeyserSmall, rhythmic splasher on Geyser HillGeyser
0 mi awayGiantess GeyserRare, thunderous geyser that sometimes rockets 200 feet highGeyser
0.1 mi awayBeehive GeyserTowering geyser with a handy indicator and a short, fierce showGeyser
0.1 mi awayAnemone GeyserSmall twin geyser with frequent bursts and a dramatic drainGeyser
0.1 mi awayObservation Point–Solitary Geyser LoopOld Faithful’s best overlook plus a quiet detour to a blue-rimmed geyserEasy · 1.9 mi · 1 hr
0.1 mi awayObservation Point TrailShort climb to a quiet perch over Old Faithful's eruptions.Easy · 1.9 mi · 1.3 hr
0.3 mi awayGeyser Hill LoopBoardwalk geysers plus a quiet perch to watch Old FaithfulEasy · 2.5 mi · 1 hr
0.3 mi awayUpper Geyser Basin BoardwalksFlat boardwalks past Old Faithful and a who's-who of geysersEasy · 3 mi · 2 hr
