Last updated: August 9, 2021
Thing to Do
Watch and Listen to a Geyser
NPS
Yellowstone is home to more than 500 geysers; that's more than half of the total active geysers on Earth! Geysers come in all sorts of shapes and levels of activity, from towering eruptions that occur sporadically to small fountains of steaming hot water that erupt almost continuously. Each geyser truly is unique.
Take a moment or more to listen to the underground activity, watch for signs of an imminent eruption, or enjoy the show of an actual eruption.
For the latest geyser predictions for six geysers that NPS rangers monitor, check out the Current Geyser Activity web page.
Details
Duration
5-120 Minutes
The duration is up to you. Many geysers are interesting to watch and listen to even when they aren't actively erupting.
Activity
Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Watching geysers is a time-honored tradition in Yellowstone National Park.
Pets Allowed
No
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Geysers in Popular Locations
Geysers can be found across Yellowstone National Park. Some of the major locations to watch geysers are at:
- Upper Geyser Basin
- Black Sand Basin
- Biscuit Basin
- Fountain Paint Pot
- Firehole Lake Drive
- Artist’s Paintpots
- Norris Geyser Basin
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Geysers can be viewed all year, though access to many of the geyser basins is limited to snowmobile and snowcoach tours from mid-December through mid-March. There are also road closures from early November to mid-December and mid-March to mid-April when access is unavailable.
Time of Day
Any Time
Accessibility Information
The Upper Geyser Basin, Black Sand Basin, Biscuit Basin, Fountain Paint Pot, and Firehole Lake Drive all have accessible boardwalks and paths. Check locally for the accessibility guide or the trail guide to see which sections are accessible.