Old Faithful Visitor Education Center

 
View of Old Faithful Geyser with visitors watching and the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center in the background
View of the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center behind Old Faithful Geyser.

NPS/Jim Peaco

The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center features exhibits on Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features (geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles), life in these extreme environments, the volcano beneath Yellowstone, and ongoing scientific research in one of the greatest living laboratories on earth.

Children of all ages will enjoy the Young Scientist exhibit room, which includes a geyser model, hands-on exhibits, and a gathering space for classes and other organized groups. Evening ranger-led programs are presented during the summer and the winter seasons.

The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center was built to minimize its impact on the natural surroundings and is a LEED certified building.

Located across the west parking lot are a combination ranger station, backcountry office, and clinic. This facility also houses the office of the district naturalist and the district library.

 

Description

Closures & Seasonal Exceptions

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Visitor Services

  • Information on the Old Faithful area and the rest of the park.
  • Rangers who can provide information and assistance.
  • Predictions for Old Faithful's next eruption, as well as predictions for five other geyser eruptions.
  • Books and other souvenirs for sale inside the Yellowstone Forever bookstore.
  • Orientation and resource films are shown frequently in the theater.
  • Exhibits that allow exploration into the hidden realm of Yellowstone’s underground phenomena, including its volcano, and the amazing variety and sheer numbers of hydrothermal features.
 

Additional Old Faithful Area Information

 
Wheelchair-bound visitor and his family take a picture while Old Faithful Geyser erupts.

Accessibility in the Old Faithful Area

Learn about the accessibility options in and around the Old Faithful area.

Blue and orange hot spring steams and churns.

Old Faithful Day Hikes

Hydrothermal features abound in the Upper Geyser Basin, and many trails in the area lead to some quieter views.

Watching Old Faithful erupt from the deck of the Old Faithful Inn

Old Faithful

Tour Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin.

Become a junior ranger of Yellowstone National Park.

Become a Junior Ranger

This is a great way to experience Yellowstone National Park for you and your family.

A young visitor learns about hot springs from a ranger.

Explore as a Young Scientist

Solve science mysteries by combining investigation in both visitor center and field settings.

Park ranger starts a campfire at the start of a campground evening program.

Participate in a Ranger Program

Join a park ranger to further your understanding about this special place.

Old Faithful Geyser

Webcams

Watch Old Faithful erupt or see the Upper Geyser Basin, Mount Washburn, Yellowstone Lake, and some of the park entrances.

View from a hilltop looking out across a snowy forest.

Old Faithful Skiing & Snowshoeing

Discover skiing and snowshoeing opportunities around the Old Faithful area.

 

Old Faithful Area Knowledge

 
A rainbow stands out as a geyser erupts.

Current Geyser Activity

Get the latest geyser eruption predictions.

Silhouette of a geyser erupting and the underlying plumbing system.

Predict Old Faithful

Calculate your own prediction for Old Faithful's next eruption.

Gnarled wooden posts hold up the second floor balcony with the stone fireplace visible below.

Old Faithful Historic District

The district is historically significant because of its rustic architecture and its role in early development of visitor accommodations.

 
Visitors stopping by Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Trailside Museum

Visitor Centers

Step inside a visitor center and explore the exhibits and interpretive offerings, or talk to a ranger.

Last updated: July 6, 2021

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

Phone:

307-344-7381

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