Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
4.7
About
Brightly-colored hot spring, the result of algae that live in the water.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.7
3,214 reviews
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2,490
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517
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161
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Edwelsh
North Canton, OH7,407 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Stop by the Midway Geyser Basin for this. I read that this beautifully colored spring is 370’ across and 125’ deep! The rings of thermophiles really pop in the sun. It’s extremely popular and crowded, we were about to come back the next day mid-morning, find a close parking spot and walk right up to it.
Written 16 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC25,931 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
This spring is the largest in Yellowstone and is the place everyone wants to have a picture of themselves taken at. I was told by the ranger at Old Faithful that the viewpoint was closed due to trail conditions but I bet it is amazing to see from above. I was able to take a few selfies of myself and even had a couple people offer to take my picture in front of it. Be courteous and help each other. Makes the whole experience better and gives everyone a change to get a pic of themselves in front of this work of (natural) art.
Written 22 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julius S
Vienna, Austria194 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
The largest thermal spring in the US and the third largest in the world. Definitely the biggest attraction at the Yellowstone. Bacteria and archaea create beautiful colors at the edge of the pool. The blue color is created by the depth of the source.
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Written 31 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bagelsanddolphins
Florida6 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
The vibrant colors are even more stunning in person. The boardwalk offers excellent views directly in and around the spring, allowing you to appreciate the vivid colors and the sheer size of the spring. The surrounding landscape is equally impressive, adding to the overall beauty of the location.
Written 11 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL5,573 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
My parents and I got up early and drove from West Yellowstone straight to Grand Prismatic Spring. The parking here fills up early in the day and requires waiting in a long line or a long hike to see later. Fortunately it worked! We got a parking spot and hiked up to the spring along the boardwalk. The main spring was stunning with multi-colored areas depending on the heat and bacteria. Other geysers and springs are located adjacent to Grand Prismatic as well making it an all-around must-see in Yellowstone!
Written 22 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D L
Casa Grande, AZ339 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Most folks take the boardwalk to this feature and get a fateful of steam; not a great view of the whole. Less well known is the 1.6 mile round trip to the overlook from the Fairy Falls Trailhead; it sets about 150 feet above and about 200 yds from the feature edge. Great pics, but a moderate hike from the parking lot. Were age challenged, but we managed it.
Written 3 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lapahc
183 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
It is a must-see that is worth a visit. Do not trust people who park on the road a kilometer from the basin. There is space in the car park even in high season and you will save time even waiting 10 minutes to have a place only to park very far. You can see it from the bottom, from the Midway Basin. For the view from above (overlook) it is necessary to take a hike (not very exciting at first but easy) whose departure is located on another parking further south.
To do in the afternoon in beautiful sun to see all the colors. (in the morning there can be a lot of mist)
To do in the afternoon in beautiful sun to see all the colors. (in the morning there can be a lot of mist)
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Written 1 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephanie C
Mundelein, IL2,648 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
This stop on our tour looked just like a giant science lab! It was unbelievable! It does smell like sulfur! There is a man made walk way but please stay on path and if you’re wearing a hat you want to make sure it stay secure the thermal pools are not to be walked on! There are restrooms at this stop.
Written 12 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
omegon
Bangkok, Thailand307 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
This trail is best viewed via the Fairy Falls trail, which will give you a higher up view so you can see the whole thing. The trail is fairly easy and not that long. Around 1.7 KM one way.
If the weather is too cold there will be a lot of steam and it is hard to see. Best to go there when the temperature is around 60 F or higher so the steam disappears.
Parking is somewhat limited; be ready for slow traffic.
If the weather is too cold there will be a lot of steam and it is hard to see. Best to go there when the temperature is around 60 F or higher so the steam disappears.
Parking is somewhat limited; be ready for slow traffic.
Written 19 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York5,465 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
Go early because the parking area fills up quickly. The best view of the springs are from the overlook trail. It's about a mile each way, with the last part steadily uphill.
But the walk itself is not too challenging. There was a bison near the trail and we had to be careful not to get too close to it. Although it was a long hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, the beautiful colors made it worthwhile. This is one of the highlights of Yellowstone National Park.
But the walk itself is not too challenging. There was a bison near the trail and we had to be careful not to get too close to it. Although it was a long hike to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook, the beautiful colors made it worthwhile. This is one of the highlights of Yellowstone National Park.
Written 5 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are planning to visit yellow stone park in first week of May from 2 nd May . Will we be able to see grand prismatic springs and its colours
Written 11 March 2022
Yes, it should be open as long as there is no unexpected snowfall. Should be beautiful as always.
Written 11 March 2022
How far is the hike/walk to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook from the parking area? Also it was stated "a small incline", how big is small. Can I make it on crutches?
Written 30 August 2020
Oh, I forgot to mention one more thing. There are steps leading into the platform. I did not count them but I am guessing about six steps.
Written 31 August 2020
Hey everyone, we are planing a road trip to Yellowstone for the last week of March, I wanted to know if we can see the Grand Prismatic at that time of the year? TIA
Written 11 February 2020
The park should be open barring heavy snowfall. I have only visited in the summer and once in Oct on our honeymoon and as I remember one of the entrances to the park was closed by snow. You have to go up a boardwalk incline in the summer to see the spring. There may be snowmobiles to rent if you need to. The buffalo get there somehow--you can see their droppings. I'd call the visitor center for info. The spring is beautiful. Hope you get to see it.
Written 13 February 2020
Hello,
Do you remember the name of the snowmobile tour company that you used? I am only able to find tours to old faithful.
Thank you!
Written 5 December 2019
The Prismatic Spring is on the way to Old Faithful from West Yellowstone. It is right on the river. They may not be stopping there because it is on the south side of the river from the road, which is on the north side of the river. See if they let you snowshoe to destinations on the way to Old Faithful.
Written 24 February 2020
How far is the hike round trip to the upper viewing for grand prismatic? This is one of the top places I'd like to visit on our trip. We plan to get there very early in the am but are novice hikers with a 4yr old. Any suggestions are appreciated!!!
Written 20 June 2019
There is a short uphill part of the trail but people of all ages were hiking the trail. It is not long at all, less than I mike I would guess. There are a couple of geysers along the way too so it feels like a short trip. For sure go to the top the view is amazing! but yes if it is cold (morning time) there will be fog and not much of a view. I went around 12!
Written 28 June 2019
Hi, planning to visit on 23 May next week. According to weather report there will be snow; will the roads or trails be closed?
Written 16 May 2019
Yes it will definitely be snow that time of the year . Best thing you could do is to call the park and ask for information about the roads. Yes most of the hiking trails will be close specially the prismatic area . hope this info help.
Try to contact them through their FB page they respond soon
Written 2 June 2019
Looking for late September air tours of Yellowstone , especially to see Grand Prismatic. Any suggestions?
Written 22 March 2019
Hello, September can be very unpredictable (weather) so hopefully you will luck out and get a clear day to enjoy the Grand Prismatic Spring! We visited in mid September and one day it was clear and warm (high 60's) and the next day there was snow and some roads in the park were closed. If you get to the Springs early in the morning you may have to deal with the mist and unless you are elevated you will not see much of the Spring. However, if you are taking an air tour as you suggest, on a clear day you will get the best views. It is truly a beautiful site if you can enjoy all of the colors. Good luck!
Written 5 April 2019
I can't find anybody that runs tours to see the Grand Prismatic Spring in winter time. Can anyone help me? - looking to travel on 13 or 14 March 2019
Written 9 March 2019
Oversnow machine travel ends for the season the next day, I believe, 15 March.
What you need is a snowmobile tour to Old Faithful from the south or the west gate that will agree to let you walk in the Midway Geyser Basin trail alone or with one of their guides while the rest of the tour visits fountain paint pots, 3 km closer to west yellowstone. The overlook from the fairy falls trailhead would be a longer ski in or a snowshoe hike. My experience is that enough people walk on the snow covered boardwalk that you’ll not need snowshoes unless it has stormed recently.
The reason you don’t hear about it in the winter is the temperature difference is so great you generally see just a big gray cloud of vapor. If it’s a clear blue sky day, you’ll see a huge pale blue cloud. The broad mineral terraces and bacteria mats are fascinating at any time. But the amazingly colorful photos you see are taken in the summertime when the air is much warmer.
If no snowmobile or snowcoach tour company will help you, then you need to be staying two nights at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. From there a Xanterra snow coach may be chartered to drop you off and you can ski back or you may rent skis and ski in 10 km from old faithful, 1 km around the loop then return 10 km on your own.
Best wishes.
Written 9 March 2019
Is the high view an easy hike? Could someone old using a walker get to the higher view?
Written 3 March 2019
this part is not handicap accessible.. so it will be hard for them to go. The uphill is about 1/2 mile but little hard for young and older people ! Hope this helps
Written 5 March 2019
I am getting contradictory advice about whether it is possible to visit The Grand Prismatic Spring in Winter - most say it is not possible but there are a few reviews saying they have done tours there. Anybody know any tours that go to Grand Prismatic Spring in March?
Written 28 January 2019
We went over Christmas in a Snow vehicle, but some of the drivers don't go that far up past Old Faithful.
Written 15 February 2019
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