Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park: What You Need to Know (2023)
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Want some information on the Norris Geyser Basin for your Yellowstone trip?
One of the main attractions that you’ll want to check out on your Yellowstone National Park itinerary is the park’s numerous geyser basins. While Yellowstone has more than 500 geysers and 10,000 geothermal features, there are some that stand out more than others.
Norris Geyser Basin is a favorite among park visitors since it is so active and it contains Yellowstone’s most famous geyser other than Old Faithful, Steamboat Geyser. Here’s what you need to know before you visit.
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Norris Geyser Basin: FAQs
Norris Geyser Basin: FAQsHere are some frequently-asked questions I get from those looking to visit Norris Geyser Basin.
Map of Norris Geyser Basin
How do I get to Norris Geyser Basin?
You can get to Norris Geyser Basin in a few ways. The best way to do it is from West Yellowstone and Gardiner. From the West Entrance, it is about 28 miles, and from the North Entrance, it is about 26 miles.
You’ll travel along Grand Loop Road until you reach the Norris Geyser Basin area, which also includes the Norris Campground, library, and facilities. From there, you’ll take the Back Basin Trail to see the steam vents, boiling mud, and geysers the area is famous for.
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When should I visit Norris Geyser Basin?
I recommend most everyone visit Yellowstone during the fall or spring months. Not only are there fewer crowds and more of an opportunity to see this geothermal area, but the temperatures aren’t as hot. It can get pretty warm when you’re near these thermal areas!
How long should I spend at Norris Geyser Basin?
Depending on how much time you have, you can see the entirety of the geyser basin within 40 minutes. However, I recommend setting aside about 2 hours to see everything at a leisurely pace. This also accounts for eruption times if you want to be certain that you’ll be there when a geyser erupts.
Is Norris Geyser Basin accessible?
Portions of the Norris Geyser Basin area are wheelchair accessible, but some assistance will be required due to stairs.
What are the other geyser basins in Yellowstone?
Yellowstone has 11 geyser basins altogether. These include:
- Mammoth Hot Springs (Minute Geyser)
- Norris Geyser Basin
- Gibbon Geyser Basin
- Lower Geyser Basin
- Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic Spring)
- Upper Geyser Basin (Old Faithful, Morning Glory Pool)
- Lone Star Geyser Basin
- Shoshone Geyser Basin
- Heart Lake Geyser Basin
- West Thumb Geyser Basin
- Mud Volcano Basin
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What to see at Norris Geyser Basin
What to see at Norris Geyser BasinAs the hottest geyser basin in Yellowstone, there are plenty of thermal features that you won’t want to miss when you are in the Norris Geyser Basin area.
Since this first of the national parks is located on the Yellowstone supervolcano, the park is always changing and you can’t always predict what you will see when you are there. However, the most notable geysers are the ones that tend to be the most consistent.
Here are some notable geysers to add to your list of things to do in Yellowstone National Park!
Ledge Geyser
Ledge GeyserLedge ranks as the second largest geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin, with the ability to propel water up to 125 feet high. However, due to its angled eruptions, the water sometimes lands as far as 220 feet away. In the past, it has erupted at regular intervals of 14 hours.
A period of inactivity occurred from 1979 until the end of 1993. However, in 1994 and 1995, it resumed activity, erupting on a fairly consistent cycle every four to six days.
Echinus Geyser
Echinus GeyserFor several years, Echinus Geyser captivated crowds in the Norris Basin until it started to noticeably slow down from 1997. By February 1999, it was characterized as relatively weak and inconsistent. Being the only predicted geyser at Norris, there’s uncertainty if Echinus Geyser will retain this title. For the most recent information, visitors are advised to check the Norris Museum.
In February 1999, eruptions began from an overflowing pool, each lasting approximately four minutes. These eruptions occurred with about 90 minutes intervals, and the spray reached a maximum height of 30 to 40 feet.
Before 1997, Echinus had much more impressive displays, with sprays reaching up to 125 feet and eruptions lasting between one minute and over an hour. It was Yellowstone’s most frequently erupting forecasted geyser, which combined with its grand display, made it worth the wait.
Echinus remains the world’s largest frequently active acid geyser. Unlike most Yellowstone and global geysers that are typically alkaline, Echinus and most Norris Geyser Basin thermal features are acidic.
The acidity of Echinus’ water, which is as acidic as lemon juice, influences the formation of sinter deposits around the geyser, with acidic water forming sinter at a faster rate and giving it a spiky appearance, a feature that inspired Echinus’ name.
Historically, Echinus has seen significant fluctuations in the frequency and power of its eruptions. As part of the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of geysers, its current activity is also expected to change in the not-too-distant future.
Whirligig Geyser
Whirligig GeyserWhirligig Geyser may be on small geyser, but it’s a total blast. The coolest bit? The back vent makes these awesome chugging sounds when it’s erupting.
Cistern Spring
Cistern SpringCistern Spring is interconnected with Steamboat Geyser. Following an eruption from Steamboat, the Cistern subsequently drains. Over time, Cistern has sculpted a set of aesthetically pleasing terraces, which are prominently visible on the pool’s northern side.
Constant Geyser
Constant GeyserOver the recent years, this active geyser has become more popular, and it sometimes displaying eruptions roughly every thirty minutes. Each eruption tends to be brief, lasting only a few seconds. Known as Constant, it’s situated just behind and to the right of Whirligig Geyser.
Porcelain Basin
Porcelain BasinPorcelain Basin is home to a multitude of small geysers. The geothermal activity here is dynamic and frequently short-term. Geysers may appear and disappear within a matter of days, and even the larger, typically more stable ones, undergo changes annually, and occasionally daily.
This means you’re likely to see something new every time you visit the basin!
Porkchop Geyser
Porkchop GeyserPorkchop met a dramatic fate in 1989. Prior to its explosion, Porkchop consistently spouted water up to 30 feet high. However, on September 5, 1989, the escalating steam pressure resulted in a violent steam explosion.
This forceful blast hurled rocks as far as 220 feet away, and the evidence of this event remains visible in the upended rocks surrounding its crater. Today, Porkchop is a tranquil boiling pool.
Emerald Spring
Emerald SpringEmerald Spring is a vibrant, green and turquoise pool, measuring 27 feet deep and maintaining a temperature just shy of boiling point. The bubbles you observe are due to carbon dioxide, steam, and hydrogen sulfide gas. The water’s acidity level is comparable to that of tomato juice.
The distinct green shade arises from a combination of the pool’s deep water blue and the yellow sulfur lining its walls. Notably, Emerald Spring has previously functioned as a geyser, reaching heights of up to 80 feet. However, such activity has not been observed since the early 1930s.
Steamboat Geyser
Steamboat GeyserHidden within the Norris Geyser Basin, you’ll find Steamboat Geyser, the tallest geyser on the planet. Its most significant eruptions propel water beyond 300 feet in its steam phase. Only the Waimangu Geyser in New Zealand has achieved greater heights, but that was over a century ago.
In the recorded history of Yellowstone Caldera by the National Park Service, just two other geysers have outperformed Steamboat in terms of size: the Excelsior Geyser in the Midway Geyser Basin and the Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin. The frequency and intensity of Steamboat’s minor and major eruptions remain completely unpredictable.
The Hebgen Lake Earthquake of 1959 along the Hebgen Lake Fault, with a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter Scale, originated just outside Yellowstone’s western boundary. Notably, two years later, Steamboat Geyser erupted for the first time in half a century. Some scientists argue that the quake’s thermal energy shifts directly sparked this resurgence, while others view it as mere coincidence. To this day, there’s no definitive link between Steamboat’s eruptions and seismic activity.
Steamboat’s eruptions over the years have been quite inconsistent. Some periods, like 1982-1983, experienced numerous eruptions, while others, like much of the 1990s and late 2000s, saw long spells of dormancy interrupted by solitary eruptions. However, one fact remains certain – the future activity of Steamboat Geyser remains an enigma.
On March 15, 2018, after over 3.5 years of inactivity, Steamboat entered a new eruptive phase. Since then, it has been erupting somewhat regularly, albeit without any predictable pattern.
Green Dragon Spring
Green Dragon SpringBarring warm summer afternoons, steam often engulfs the cavern of the captivating hot spring, Green Dragon Spring. For those keen on observing the sulfur-lined cave and its boiling green waters, a display of patience is required as they wait for the steam to momentarily clear.
Veteran Geyser
Veteran GeyserVeteran is typically a highly active geyser, consistently spouting water. However, it does undergo periods of buildup that culminate in a major eruption, capable of propelling water at an angle up to around 40 feet. Following these larger eruptions, it takes a brief pause before the buildup process recommences.
Lesser-known geysers in Norris Basin
Here are some lesser-known geysers that you might check out while you are in the basin. Ask a national park ranger to point them out if you are having trouble seeing them!
- Corporal Geyser
- Valentine Geyser
- Fearless Geyser
Where to stay near Norris Geyser Basin
Since Norris Geyser Basin is most easily accessible from West Yellowstone and Gardiner, I recommend West Yellowstone hotels so you can get there easily and you still have access to the restaurant options in West Yellowstone.
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Tips for visiting Norris Geyser Basin
Here are some tips for making the most of your visit to the Norris Geyser Basin.
- Early start: Start your day early to make the most of your visit. Not only will you beat the crowds, but geysers and hot springs are often more visible in the cooler morning air. It also increases your chances of spotting wildlife that are more active during these hours.
- Dress appropriately: Weather in Yellowstone can be unpredictable, even in the summer months. Dress in layers to accommodate temperature fluctuations and don’t forget to wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for walking the boardwalks and trails. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also a must to protect from the high-altitude sun.
- Stay on designated paths: This is not just a safety tip, but a rule within the park. The geothermal areas of Yellowstone, including Norris Geyser Basin, are delicate and potentially dangerous. Straying from the boardwalks and paths on the Back Basin trail can result in injury from unstable ground or exposure to hot water, and it can damage the formations.
- Hydrate and snack: Carry plenty of water and snacks with you. The park’s high altitude can cause dehydration more quickly than at sea level, especially during physical activity. Also, there are not many food options in the immediate vicinity of Norris Geyser Basin.
- Patience and observation: Geysers are natural phenomena and they don’t perform on a strict schedule. Spend time observing and appreciating the surroundings while waiting for geysers like Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser located in Norris Geyser Basin, to erupt. Bring binoculars for a closer look at geysers and wildlife in the area.
Conclusion: Norris Geyser Basin
The Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park represents a remarkable intersection of geology, ecology, and history, offering visitors an unparalleled glimpse into the dynamic nature of our planet. For anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of geothermal activity and experience some of the world’s most spectacular geysers, a trip to this extraordinary locale is a journey worth making.
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