Grand Prismatic Overlook
| Trail Features: | Thermal Features, Scenice Views, History |  |
|||
| Trail Location: | Old Faithful Area | ||||
| Roundtrip Length: | 1.6 Miles | ||||
| Trailhead Elevation: | 7270 Feet | ||||
| Total Elevation Gain: | 135 Feet | ||||
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | 169 Feet | ||||
| Highest Elevation: | 7404 Feet | ||||
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | 1.87 (easy) | ||||
| Parking Lot Latitude | 44.51548 | ||||
| Parking Lot Longitude | -110.83264 | ||||
Trail Description:
The hike to Grand Prismatic Overlook in Yellowstone National Park begins from the Fairy Falls Trailhead, located one mile south of Midway Geyser Basin (or roughly 6 miles north of Old Faithful).
This area of the park is steeped in history, including the trail itself. Just beyond the trailhead hikers will cross over the Firehole River on an old steel truss bridge, which was originally constructed in 1911 to span the Gibbon River, but was moved to this location in 1925. The Firehole River received its name from early trappers who thought the steam rising off the river looked like smoke from a fire.
From the bridge the Fairy Falls Trail begins to travel along an old dirt road known as the Fountain Freight Road, which was constructed in 1885 to serve the old Marshall/Firehole Hotel that was located in this area during the late 1800s. Notable guests known to have stayed at the hotel include then Senator Benjamin Harrison, who would later become the 23rd President of the United States, as well as naturalist, George Bird Grinnell, who Grinnell Glacier and Grinnell Lake are named for in Glacier National Park.
After walking six-tenths of a mile hikers will reach the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail, which ascends roughly 130 feet to reach a new viewing platform that overlooks Grand Prismatic Spring and the Midway Geyser Basin. Before 2016 hikers used social trails to gain a birds-eye view of Grand Prismatic Spring. As a result of visitor safety concerns, and significant resource damage over the years, the park began construction on the new trail and viewing platform in 2016, which was completed during the summer of the following year.
Hikers will reach the viewing platform after walking two-tenths of a mile up the moderately graded slope.
At 370 feet in diameter, and roughly 121 feet deep, Grand Prismatic is the largest spring in the United States, and the third-largest spring in the world. As a result of its spectacular rainbow of colors, it’s also one of the most visited spots in Yellowstone. The various colors present within the spring are the result of trillions of microbes, as well as sunlight being scattered by mineral particles in the water.
The best time to view the spring is during the late morning or early afternoons, after the sun has had a chance to burn off most of the steam that tends to hover above the pool. Unfortunately, this is also the busiest time of day, and finding a parking spot can be a challenge. We hiked the trail early in the morning, and this is what we saw:
The photo below, taken by Stephen P. Shivers of the U.S. Geological Survey, is what Grand Prismatic Spring looks like in all its glory:
Hikers may want to note that the trail is located within a Bear Management Area, which means it’s closed to all visitors from March 10 through the Friday of Memorial Day weekend each year, when bear activity is at its highest. You may also want to note that bicycles are allowed on the Fairy Falls Trail, but not the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail.
If you still have the time and energy you can extend your hike to visit Fairly Falls. Simply continue down the other side of the overlook trail to reach the far side of Fairy Falls Trail. From the overlook the waterfall is located roughly 1.8 miles away, which will make your total roundtrip distance for the entire hike roughly 5.25 miles.
Additional Resources:
* Yellowstone National Park website
* Trail Map (trails are not included on the official park map)
* Lonely Planet Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks