Top Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
The 10 Best Geologic Formations in Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is a national treasure. Located primarily in Wyoming, the park also extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone has active geothermal features with geysers and boiling mud pots throughout the park. The most famous is Old Faithful, a geyser that has erupted on the clock for decades. Travelers be warned, July is the busiest month of the year, with almost a million visitors alone. The park has a tour bus system, nine visitor centers, and 2,000 campsites.
1. Shoshone Geyser Basin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By TractorDoc76 - Ashland, United States
I made a solo hike to the Shoshone Geyser Basin in mid September 2019. Round trip is roughly 20 miles but at least the elevation change was minimal. Make sure to leave early and know your hiking distance/ability before departing. First couple of miles follow an abandoned road along the Firehole River. The road leads you to Lonestar Geyser -- a destination worth seeing by itself. Beyond Lonestar the next mile or two switched between woods and views of open meadows. Several small hot springs/thermal features are not far from the trail. Backcountry campsites are located along the trail for overnighters. Soon you hike up into the woods for a couple miles and cross over the continental divide (unmarked). Not the most scenic part of the hike but some interesting rock formations surround you -- perfect place for a mountain lion to hide but luckily none were out on my day. :) Eventually you pass the junction with the Bechler River Trail and not long after pop out of the woods to follow the rather pleasant scenery of Shoshone Creek. Several creek crossings are involved (a couple bridged but the last involved balancing your way across a log) but soon you emerge from some trees to see the geyser basin in all its glory. I had the geyser basin to myself for several hours before I encountered another hiker. The experience of walking thru one of Yellowstone's thermal areas without boardwalks, signs, and crowds was well worth the ten mile effort. I felt like I could be looking at the area the same way Native Americans or early explorers had seen it. Shoshone Creek resembled a miniature version of the Firehole River in the Upper Geyser Basin. Many springs were steaming, bubbling, and boiling. The three cones of dormant Union geyser looked to have been quiet for quite some time. Minute Man Geyser was the most lively and active feature near the trail. It would erupt nearly every minute for 15-20 seconds as its name implies. I took so many photographs. . . next time I'd like to hike in and camp at one of the nearby backcountry sites to be able to spend more time in the basin. Before hiking back ot the trail head I took the short spur trail over to Shoshone Lake and dipped my feet in the water for a bit (highly recommend). The lake itself is another jewel of the Yellowstone Backcountry. The ten mile hike back only seemed slightly longer than the hike out. . . but as a bonus I arrived in time to watch Lonestar Geyser erupt and had the show all to myself. The major geysers of the Upper Geyser Basin are wonderful but visiting the remoteness of the Shoshone Geyser Basin has been one of my most favorite Yellowstone experiences to date.
2. Natural Bridge Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By DQShaw - York, United States
Easy three mile round trip to see this natural arch. This is a leisurely stroll through the forest and alongside a meadow. The hike begins at the Bridge Bay Marina parking area. We went early in the morning and they were very few people around. Didn't see any bear signs, but we carried bear spray and wore bear bells to be safe.
3. Riverside Geyser
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By db7477 - Carlsbad, United States
The Riverside Geyser’s eruption was my favorite. It was far less crowded than Old Faithful, had benches, a restroom and lovely river view. It’s two ports exited two plumes doubling the fun and yielded great photos. It was absolutely worth the short walk!
4. Gibbon Meadows
5. Biscuit Basin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 449 reviews
Reviewed By Trisheee - Germantown, United States
Great walk around more hot pools. The Sapphire Pool is life very. I really enjoyed this short stop one afternoon. There are numerous thermal features a short drive from Old Faithful.
6. Lower Geyser Basin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By JenniferandAlan - Easton, United States
Lower Geyser Basin is a huge area. There are trails to many thermal features but there are three easily accessible areas. Two of these are rather close together. Fountain Paint Pot Trail is the first pulloff you come to after Madison and is crowded but worth the wait to get a parking place. You will see two beautiful blue pools-Celestine Pool and Silex Spring then come the paint pots (bubbling mud) and then Fountain Geyser. If its pool is full and you see a crowd wait to see it erupt . If not, you are sure to see Clepsydra which is always erupting. Next you come to Firehole Lake Drive which has many hot pools and Great Fountain Geyser which is predicted so again, if the pool is overflowing and there is a crowd, wait and you won't be disappointed in its eruption. There is also White Dome and Pink Cone geysers to see. There are also two hot lakes (huge) that you can walk around. There is also Fountain Flat Drive which has a parking lot from where you can take a trail to other thermal features. Enjoy. If you like geysers, don't stop with Old Faithful.
7. Blue Star Spring
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By DQShaw - York, United States
A hidden gem overshadowed by so many natural delights in this park. Located just off the Grand Loop Road in the Upper Geyser Basin close to Old Faithful. Well maintained boardwalk takes you close to this well named beautiful small spring.
8. Golden Gate Canyon
9. Terrace Spring
10. Canyon Village Area
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 247 reviews
Reviewed By paws0810 - Mesa, United States
If you wanted to spend a great amount of time here this would be the place we did not spend a lot of time here. Very interesting and informative things to learn about Yellowstone national park and how the geysers and volcanic eruption’s happen
