Grand Prismatic Spring: What You Need to Know About Visiting + Tips & FAQs

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Want to make the most of your visit to the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone?

When my dad used to take me to Yellowstone as a teenager, I would roll my eyes every time he wanted to check out the hot springs and paint pots. I wanted to see something more exciting like bison or wolves! It wasn’t until I visited Yellowstone as an adult that I started to have an understanding of why these features are so near and worth a visit.

Although you might know that the Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone, you might not know why it is worth a visit. Plus, knowing what time of year to head there and how to deal with the crowds can also be an issue since this is such an iconic stop in the park.

Over time, I’ve been able to figure out when I like to go and how I can get a great view of this incredible geothermal wonder, though it does take a little planning and knowing where it is relative to the other sights in Yellowstone.

In summary: This article will cover why you might want to add the Grand Prismatic Spring to your Yellowstone itinerary, as well as some tips to help you make the most of it, and FAQs I often get from clients and readers.

Quick tip: Morning is my favorite time of the day to visit since there tend to be fewer crowds, but if you want photos it tends to be the worst due to a layer of mist covering the spring!

Why the Grand Prismatic Spring is worth visiting

For a short history, the Grand Prismatic Spring was named in 1871, though it had been discovered by Native Peoples thousands of years before then.

Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States, and, even more impressively, the third-largest in the world. At over 121 feet deep and up to 330 feet in diameter, it’s most-known for its vibrant colors. Of course, this makes it a favorite spot for photographers and it is the most-photographed geothermal feature in the park.

Grand Prismatic Spring location

You can find the Grand Prismatic Spring located in the Midway Geyser Basin, about 7 miles away from Old Faithful. Since it is such a popular spot, parking is often limited, so you might have to be willing to wait a bit for a space or check out another attraction in the area before circling back during a less-busy time of day.

The spring is located in a very central area of the park, making it easy to visit if you only have one day and you want to make sure that you see Yellowstone’s highlights.

Visiting Grand Prismatic Spring and the Midway Geyser Basin

Once you have found a parking spot, you’ll want to set aside at least an hour to explore the spring and the additional geysers you can find in the Midway Geyser Basin. If you are planning on doing the overlook to get a more comprehensive view of Grand Prismatic, then I would recommend at least two and a half hours depending on how fast you hike and if you have kids in tow.

One of the great things about visiting Grand Prismatic Spring is that it is very accessible. Since it is just a boardwalk along the spring and is completely flat, whether you are a big hiker or not you can get a good look at it. The boardwalk is a short walk from the parking lot.

A few other geothermal features you might want to check out when you are in the area include the Turquoise Pool (my personal favorite), the Opal Pool, and the Excelsior Geyser. Since they are all close by they’re worth a stop for a photo and to enjoy.

Grand Prismatic Overlook

For a better view of the Grand Prismatic Spring, I find that it’s worth making the climb up to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook. Since the park put in a new viewing platform in 2017, if you have any interest in photography or getting a sense of scale of how big this spring really is, I would recommend taking the hike.

While the hike is only 1.5 miles and 200 feet of elevation gain, if you are visiting in the afternoon for the best colors, it can get quite hot. It’s also a good idea to wear solid footwear like hiking shoes or hiking boots rather than sandals or flip flops.

You will want to keep in mind that the trail does not start from the Midway Geyser Basin parking lot. You will need to drive a few minutes to the Fairy Falls parking lot and cross a bridge over the Firehole River. Look for a sign that says “Trail,” and continue that way.

Keep in mind that it does branch off to the Fairy Falls Trail on the right, so you will want to continue left in order to reach the platform. Fairy Falls is also impressive and worth the time to see as one of the best hikes in the park, so if you feel physically fit and want to take it on, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

Quick tip: When in doubt, follow the people–most of them will be headed in the same direction you are!

Tips for visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring

Here are some of my personal tips that I’ve found helpful when visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring.

• Visit in May or September: Cooler weather and fewer crowds are an excellent reason to consider the shoulder seasons in Yellowstone. Most facilities should still be open, and you’ll have an easier time getting photos without a ton of people in them.
• Bring a wide-angle lens: If you are a photographer, it can be difficult to capture the scale of the spring with a standard lens. Consider bringing a wide-angle one along for this adventure!
• Stop to let people by on the boardwalk: While there is usually plenty of room for everyone, there can be some bottlenecks at points. You might want to step aside and let others pass just in case–you definitely do not want to fall into the spring!

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Grand Prismatic Spring FAQs

Here are some commonly-asked questions I get about visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring.

Conclusion

I hope this has given you an idea of what to expect when you are headed to the Grand Prismatic Spring and the Midway Geyser Basin. Honestly, I feel as though most visitors would be missing out if they didn’t make the stop–even if that means waiting around for parking in order to do so!

Have any questions about visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring? Let me know in the comments!