Grand Prismatic Spring — Attraction in West Yellowstone

Grand Prismatic Spring’s stunning color gradient results from a fascinating interplay between temperature and thermophilic bacteria. At the spring’s center, water reaches temperatures of approximately 189°F (87°C), creating the brilliant blue color that characterizes the hottest zones. This intense blue appears because the superheated water absorbs red wavelengths of light while reflecting blue wavelengths back to our eyes. As the water flows outward from the center, it gradually cools, creating distinct temperature zones that support different bacterial communities. These heat-loving microorganisms, called thermophiles, produce various pigments as they photosynthesize and metabolize. The first ring around the blue center typically displays green hues, where bacteria like Synechococcus thrive in slightly cooler conditions. Moving further outward, the temperature continues dropping, allowing different bacterial species to flourish and creating the spring’s famous yellow, orange, and red bands. Bacteria such as Chloroflexus produce yellow and orange pigments, while the outermost edges, where temperatures are coolest, host bacteria that create rich red and brown colors. The width and intensity of each colored band varies seasonally based on factors like air temperature, sunlight exposure, and bacterial population changes. This creates Yellowstone’s most photographed thermal feature, where the laws of physics and biology collaborate to paint a natural masterpiece spanning the entire visible...

Hands down, the most popular spring. But, unless you have a drone or some fantastic camera equipment, you're NEVER gonna get that Nat Geo shot. (ever.) And that's okay. Enjoy the colors, enjoy the mist, enjoy the animal footprints, soak it all in and then buy the postcard! :)

Grand Prismatic is the LARGEST hot spring in the US. There are 2 ways to see Grand Prismatic Spring. The easier option is by walking the board walk at Midway Geyser Basin. The second is by parking at the Fairy Falls Parking Lot and walking the 1.6 miles round trip to the Grand Prismatic Overlook. We did both on Thursday, 9/3 and I would recommend both because when you see the Grand Prismatic up close, you don't really see the colors and perspective you would at the Overlook. The Overlook hike is DEFINITELY worth your time and energy.

The key to going to the Overlook is not to visit in the morning because the steam coming from the Grand Prismatic does NOT make for good photos. Go in the afternoon after the steam burns off. Yes, it may be hot and the trail has little shade. If the Fairy Falls small lot is full, there is another overflow parking lot.

We actually visited the Overlook twice (once at around 8 am and again at 3 pm). You can see in my photos how you will not be able to get a good picture early in the morning. The 1.6 miles round trip took us around an...

As impressive as the geysers are this is a must see spot in Yellowstone as well. Unfortunately the parking area is small and with busses and RV's trying to navigate it too, it doesn't help when people park along the sides of the entrance. Please be mindful of where you leave your car so as not to tie up traffic.

There is a slow climb to the area but it is up a paved/boardwalk path. You can see the boiling water running off into the firehole river. Excelsior Geyser Crater is first and beautiful and blue boiling water.

Then you turn the corner and there it is...Grand Prismatic Spring! The colors are stunning and even though you are level with the spring you can still see the contrast of colors amidst the steam. There are also animal tracks in the shallow water surrounding the boardwalk.

As we were looking at the springs we noticed an observation area behind that was elevated. You could not access it from the spring itself but we followed the flow of people and found where the trailhead was. That was our next destination. As impressive as it was to be next to the springs I wanted to see it from above! We drove back to the parking lot for Fairy Falls and found the path up to the overlook. It was so much more impressive from above. Definitely worth the 20 min hike to...