Trip Idea

Day Hikes in the Old Faithful Area

Multiple Parks

Steam rises from a blue-, yellow-, and orange-colored hot spring.
Duration Full Day
Topic(s) Trails
Activities Hiking
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Solitary/Remote, Inspirational, Outdoors, Group Friendly
Parks Yellowstone National Park
Vivid blues and oranges in a steamy hot spring along the trail.
Hydrothermal features seen along Fairy Falls Trail. Remember to stay on the designated trail.

NPS/Diane Renkin

Day Hikes in the Old Faithful Area
  • Yellowstone National Park

    Fairy Falls Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Midway Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 3–5 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Steam rises from a blue-, yellow-, and orange-colored hot spring.

    Enjoy a hike to one of Yellowstone's most spectacular waterfalls.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Howard Eaton Trail (Old Faithful Area)
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Upper Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 3–5 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Steam and water erupt from the tan cone of Lone Star Geyser.

    Hike up a burned hill, continue through spruce-fir forest, and then down to Lone Star Geyser.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Sentinel Meadows & Queen’s Laundry Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Midway Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 2–4 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Hydrothermal features steam in the middle of a wide-open field.

    Follow the Firehole River and cross meadows until reaching a hydrothermal area. Look for the large sinter mounds of hot springs and the remains of the old, incomplete bathhouse.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Midway Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Steam rises from the prismatic pool with snow surrounding it.

    Hike up to an overlook of Grand Prismatic Spring.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Lone Star Geyser Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Upper Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 2–3 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    The tan geyserite cone of Lone Star Geyser surrounded by snow.

    Hike this pleasant, partially paved trail beside the Firehole River to Lone Star Geyser.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Mallard Lake Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Upper Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 3–6 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Firehole River with forest standing on both banks and steam rising up from a distant geyser basin.

    Cross the Firehole River, pass Pipeline Hot Springs, and climb rolling hills of partially-burned lodgepole pine and open, rocky areas to Mallard Lake.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Mystic Falls Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Upper Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 2–4 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Water cascades down across gray boulders with yellow wildflowers in bloom.

    Follow a lovely creek through mixed conifer forest to Mystic Falls, over which the Little Firehole River drops from the Madison Plateau.

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  • Yellowstone National Park

    Observation Point Trail
    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: No
    • Location: Upper Geyser Basin
    • Duration: 1–3 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Any Time
    Water and steam erupt out of a geyser while people watch.

    Head up switchbacks to a commanding view of the Upper Geyser Basin.

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Last updated: October 6, 2020