Jewel Geyser

Overview

Jewel Geyser is a small, lively fountain geyser on the Biscuit Basin boardwalk in the Upper Geyser Basin. It’s all about quick gratification here—short, frequent bursts and a pretty setting you can reach in minutes from the Biscuit Basin parking area.

What You’ll See

• Frequent, brief eruptions roughly every 8–10 minutes that splash up to around 20 feet.
• The namesake “jewels”: bead-like siliceous sinter ringing the vent—subtle but beautiful up close.
• A boardwalk loop that also passes Sapphire Pool, Black Opal Spring, Shell Spring, and other Biscuit Basin features, making this an easy, high-payoff stop.

Geology & Naming

Jewel is a fountain-type geyser, meaning it erupts in bursts from a pool rather than as a tall, steady column. It was originally called Soda Geyser before being renamed in 1887 for those pearly sinter beads. The pool temperature has been measured around 86.5 °C (187.7 °F).

Safety & Context

Biscuit Basin is an active hydrothermal area with a history of hydrothermal explosions, including a notable event in 2024. Stay on the boardwalks and obey all signs—the ground can be thin and water scalding.

Planning Tips

• Park at the signed Biscuit Basin lot along the Grand Loop Road; there’s no roadside pullout for the geyser itself.
• There are no facilities at the feature. Use restrooms in developed areas nearby; seasonal vault toilets may be available at the Biscuit Basin lot when open.
• Mid-day can be busy given its proximity to Old Faithful. Go early or later for easier parking and a quieter loop.
• Because eruptions are quick, hang around for two cycles—you’ll almost certainly catch one.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon. The light is softer (steam and colors look better) and crowds thin out. If you’re pairing with other Old Faithful–area stops, swing by Jewel at the start or end of your day to avoid the mid-day parking crunch.