TRIP IDEA

Day Hikes in the Old Faithful Area

Yellowstone National Park

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

The Upper Geyser Basin and Midway Geyser Basin are home to some of the world's most spectacular hydrothermal features: Old Faithful Geyser, Castle Geyser, Crested Pool, Sapphire Pool, Grand Prismatic Spring, Excelsior Geyser Crater, and so many more.

Hikes in this region of the park give you an opportunity to explore hydrothermal features and the surrounding forests and fields.

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
Enjoy a hike to one of Yellowstone's most spectacular waterfalls.
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Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring 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
Hike up to an overlook of Grand Prismatic Spring.
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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
Hike up a burned hill, continue through spruce-fir forest, and then down to Lone Star Geyser.
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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
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
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
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
Head up switchbacks to a commanding view of the Upper Geyser Basin.
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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
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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