Natural Attraction

Old Faithful

Natural Attraction
Old Faithful geyser erupts in Yellowstone National Park, plume of steam rising against a clear blue sky.

Yellowstone's most famous geyser erupts on a rhythm rangers can predict, throwing water 106 to more than 180 feet from the heart of the Upper Geyser Basin - the densest concentration of geysers on Earth.

Planning advice

Best Time To Visit
Early morning and evening for smaller crowds; midday parking fills in summer. Check the next predicted eruption at the visitor center, the lodges, or the NPS App, and arrive 20 minutes ahead.
Tips Advice
  • Predictions are posted at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center, at the lodges, and in the NPS App
  • Walk the full Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk while you wait - Castle, Grand, Daisy, and Riverside are also predicted daily
  • Predictions pause when the visitor center closes seasonally (early November to mid-December and mid-March to mid-April)
  • Stay on boardwalks at all times; thermal crust is thin and more than 20 people have died from thermal burns in the park

More details

Park Area
Upper Geyser Basin
Attraction Type
Geyser
Accessibility Level
Paved paths and boardwalks; the main viewing arc is wheelchair accessible.
How To Get There
Old Faithful has its own interchange on the Grand Loop Road between Madison Junction and West Thumb. From the West Entrance, drive to Madison Junction and turn south - about 30 miles total.
Parking Availability
Large lots that still fill midday in July and August; mornings and evenings are far easier.
Seasonal Access
Road access mid-April through October 31 in 2026; in winter the area is reached by guided snowcoach or snowmobile, with the Snow Lodge operating.
Main Features
Predictable eruptions averaging 130 feet; the Upper Geyser Basin's boardwalk network; the historic Old Faithful Inn; the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center.
What Youll See
Eruptions last 1.5 to 5 minutes and expel 3,700 to 8,400 gallons of boiling water. The median interval is about 102 minutes, give or take 10, so most visitors see an eruption within an hour of arriving.
Unique Characteristics
Predictability is the point: rangers publish eruption forecasts because a relationship exists between an eruption's duration and the length of the following interval. Within one square mile of it sit at least 150 hydrothermal features, and rangers predict five major geysers here - Castle, Grand, Daisy, Riverside, and Old Faithful.
Safety Considerations
Boardwalks only - the ground crust conceals boiling water. Swimming in hot springs is prohibited. Pets are prohibited in thermal areas.
Best Viewpoints
The main boardwalk arc in front of the geyser; Observation Point for an elevated view; the Old Faithful Inn's second-floor deck.
Photo Opportunities
Eruption sequences from the boardwalk arc; backlit steam in early morning; the geyser framed with the Old Faithful Inn.
Visitor Center Present
1
Restrooms Available
1
Interpretive Signs
1
Cell Service
Limited; do not count on coverage for predictions - use the posted boards.
Common Wildlife
Bison and elk move through the basin, especially in cooler months.

Firehole River

Rhyolite canyon walls frame a geothermal-warmed Firehole River, with Firehole Falls dropping 40 feet.

Slough Creek

Meadow stream, VIP Pool at Lamar confluence; shaped by fluvial erosion and glacial deposition.

Imperial Geyser

Imperial Geyser erupts from a 75×100 ft pool; silica-lined conduits feed vivid runoff mats.

Inspiration Point

Promontory overlooking the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; rhyolite walls reveal millions of years of erosion.

Upper Falls View

Upper Falls, 109 ft drop over rhyolite—river erosion in a hydrothermally altered canyon.

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Sources

  • YourNPGuide Editorial

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated August 2026. Report an issue.