Roughly half of the world’s active geysers are in Yellowstone, and the greatest concentration of them is packed into the Upper Geyser Basin, a valley about one and a half miles long on the Firehole River. Old Faithful stands at its southern end. It is not the biggest geyser in the park, but it is the most regular, and that is why it became famous: rangers predict each eruption, usually with a window of about ten minutes either side.
Most visitors watch one eruption from the benches and leave. Stay longer. The boardwalks and paved paths beyond Old Faithful lead past dozens of geysers and hot springs to Morning Glory Pool, and several of the big geysers along the way are predicted too. Allow at least half a day, and plan it around the prediction board in the visitor education center. Many guided day tours from West Yellowstone and Jackson stop here.
What to see at Old Faithful & the Upper Geyser Basin
Watch Old Faithful erupt
Eruptions come roughly every 60 to 110 minutes and last from about one and a half to five minutes, reaching some 30 to 55 metres (100–180 ft). The next predicted time is posted in the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, at the lodges and in the official NPS app. Arrive 20–30 minutes early in summer for a front-row bench. For a view over the crowd, walk up to Observation Point, a short, steep climb of about a mile round trip on the far side of the Firehole River.
Walk the geyser loop to Morning Glory Pool
From Old Faithful a loop of boardwalks crosses the river to Geyser Hill — with Beehive Geyser and dozens of small springs — then runs north past Castle, Grand, Riverside and Daisy geysers to Morning Glory Pool, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away. Grand Geyser, the tallest predictable geyser in the world, erupts every several hours; rangers post its window. Morning Glory has lost some of its colour because coins and rubbish thrown in over the decades partly blocked its vent — a lesson in why nothing should ever go into a hot spring.
Old Faithful Inn
Opened in 1904, the Old Faithful Inn is one of the largest log buildings in the world, with a lobby rising several storeys around a huge stone fireplace. You do not need to be a guest to walk in, look up at the log balconies and have a drink. Rooms are booked through the park concessioner and go fast — see where to stay.
Visit the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
Exhibits explain how geysers work and why Yellowstone has so many; rangers answer questions and post predictions. It is the best first stop if you arrive with children.
Check on Black Sand and Biscuit basins
Just north along the road are the smaller Black Sand and Biscuit basins. Biscuit Basin was closed after a hydrothermal explosion damaged its boardwalk in July 2024 — check the park’s current conditions page before planning around it.
Getting to Old Faithful & the Upper Geyser Basin
- From West Yellowstone: about 30 miles (48 km), around 50–60 minutes without traffic, via Madison Junction.
- From the South Entrance: about 40 miles via West Thumb, crossing the Continental Divide twice; allow an hour and a quarter.
- Parking: large lots on both sides of the visitor center. In July and August they fill by late morning — arrive before 9 am or after 4 pm.
- Services: lodges, cafeterias, general stores, a gas station and restrooms. It is the busiest area of the park.
Tips before you go
- Stay on the boardwalks and paths. The crust around the springs can be thin and the water is near boiling; people have died after leaving the boardwalk.
- Plan the day around two or three predicted eruptions rather than racing round the loop.
- Early morning brings steam, soft light and empty boardwalks; evening eruptions are just as good and far less crowded.
- Bison often wander through the basin. Keep at least 25 yards (23 m) away, even if one is lying beside the path.
- Drones and pets are not allowed on the boardwalks.
Tours that visit Old Faithful & the Upper Geyser Basin
These guided trips include Old Faithful & the Upper Geyser Basin or pair well with it:
Small-group day tour from €385 West Yellowstone: Yellowstone Day Tour Including Entry Fee for US Residents
The most-booked day tour from the gateway town closest to the geyser basins, with hundreds of reviews. A guide drives the big sights of the lower loop — Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the wildlife of Hayden Valley — so you can watch for animals instead of the road. Read the listing for what the entrance fee covers for visitors from abroad.
- Old Faithful, the canyon waterfalls and Hayden Valley
- Park entry included for US residents — check the listing if you are not
- Starts minutes from the West Entrance
Full-day guided tour from €385 From Jackson: Yellowstone Day Tour Including Entry Fees for U.S. Residents
A local guide takes you from Jackson into the world’s first national park for Old Faithful, the waterfalls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and other geyser areas, watching for bison, elk, bears and wolves on the way. Highly rated, with hundreds of reviews. Visitors from outside the US should check the fee terms.
- Old Faithful and other geyser areas
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone waterfalls
- Entry fee included for US residents
Private tour from €400 Yellowstone: Full-Day Private Guided Tour by Car with Lunch
A private car tour for your own party: Old Faithful, the geyser basins and Gibbon Falls at your pace, with breakfast, snacks and lunch provided. Prices are per person; for families it can be a comfortable alternative to a crowded coach.
- Old Faithful, geyser basins and Gibbon Falls
- Breakfast, snacks and lunch included
- Your group only
Private tour from €425 Wonders of Yellowstone: Private Lower Loop Tour with Lunch
A private version of the classic lower loop from West Yellowstone, taking in Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake, with lunch. Few reviews so far, but well rated.
- Old Faithful
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Yellowstone Lake
