Geyser Hill

Boardwalk packed with geysers, steps from Old Faithful

InsideYellowstone National Park

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.

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

Tips

Check Old Faithful’s prediction at the Visitor Education Center, then time your loop.
Walk the Geyser Hill boardwalk first, then climb to Observation Point for the eruption view.
Use restrooms and fill water near Old Faithful before starting—none on the loop.
Arrive early or come late afternoon to dodge crowds and harsh light.
Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen—there’s very little shade.