Introduction:
What? :
The Midway Geyser Basin is the location of one of Yellowstone natural wonders - the Grand Prismatic Spring.
The magnificent Grand Prismatic Spring is a spectacular example of the geothermal features found in Yellowstone National Park. A very large hot spring pool with striking vibrant colors that resemble the rainbow spectrum.
Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States (third-largest in the world), with a diameter of about 370 feet (112 meters) and depth up to 160 feet (50 meters). The water temperature in the spring source can reach up to 189f.
The rainbow-like colors are the result of a fascinating interaction between heat, water, and microscopic life (heat-loving bacteria). From its deep blue center to yellow, orange, and red rings.
Grand Prismatic Spring is a highly recommended stop on any Yellowstone itinerary, offering breathtaking beauty both up close and from above.
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Where? :
The Midway Geyser Basin is located in the western portion of Yellowstone National Park, along the main Grand Loop Road (Highway 191).
Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin are located about 7 miles south.
It rests alongside the Firehole River.
When? :
The park is open year round, but the journey to get here and the surrounding scenery change dramatically between summer and winter.
For most people, late May to September is the ideal time to visit here.
My personal recommendations are to visit Yellowstone National Park during the month of September.
The park is not as crowded as the peak tourist season of the summer months, the weather is ideal for hiking, it is not so hot or cold, all the roads are still open and the animals are in their active months.
Another option is during June when the snow is mainly cleared, all is green and the animals are getting out and active after the long winter.
Summer:
This is the peak Season (Mid-June to Mid-September)
All park roads are open to personal vehicles, making it easy to drive right to any destination within the park.
It is very crowded here during the summer months. Traffic jams, slow drive and challenges with finding parking spots.
Days are usually warm (70-80f), but nights can still be cool. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.
All hotels, lodges and campgrounds are open, high price and reservation need many months in advance.
Fall:
Fall season is short (Mid-September to end October) offering pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds than summer.
All roads are still open (most interior roads close to vehicles by early November), usually there is no heavy snow but you should expect a mix of sunny and rainy days and cold temperatures.
Daytime highs can range from the 40-70F, with nights dropping below freezing.
Winter:
Winter (Mid-December to Mid-March) transforms the park into a quiet, magical, snow-covered land.
The geyser's steam plumes are enormous.
Crowds are minimal.
Most interior park roads are closed to regular cars. You must travel into the park by a guided snowcoach or on a permitted snowmobile tour.
If you plan to visit Yellowstone in the winter, you will need to book a tour from one of the gateway towns like West Yellowstone or Mammoth Hot Springs (which is accessible by private vehicle year-round via the North Entrance).
The weather is cold with daytime temperatures between 0-20f.
You need proper, layered, waterproof and warm winter clothing is essential.
Only the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and its cabins are open for overnight stays.
Spring:
Spring is a very short season in Yellowstone, practically in May and early June.
Some roads start to get open during end of April
Crowds are minimal, especially in April and May, making for a quiet visit.
Weather is unpredictable, with the potential for warm, pleasant days mixed with snow, rain, and freezing temperatures.
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Tips and inputs:
Due note 1:
There is a large parking lot near the bridge crossing the river but it gets full early in the morning. The visit and the walk here is not so long so people always get out but it may be challenging to catch a parking spot.
Many park their car alongside the main road and walk to the parking lot.
You must get to the parking lot because this is the only place where there is a bridge crossing the river.
Due note 2:
Vault toilets are available in the parking lot.
Due note 3:
There are no visitor centers, lodging, dining, or gift shops at the Midway Geyser Basin. For these services, visitors should head 7 miles south to the Old Faithful area.
Due note 4:
During cold mornings or days the area, and especially the pools, may be covered with a thick steam fog hiding the pools from sight. The visibility can be low and you can’t see the impressive pool and colors.
I do recommend visiting here mid-day when it is already hot so there is no/less fog.
The harsh mid-day sun makes the colors even more vibrant.
Due note 5:
Stay on the Boardwalks: The geothermal ground is extremely fragile and the water is boiling hot. Stepping off the marked paths is strictly prohibited and extremely dangerous.
Due note 6:
The Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail, starting at the Fairy Falls Trailhead, is passing near a dense forest. It is strongly advised to carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Due note 7:
Although not located in the same place or the same parking lot, I do recommend visiting both the spring boardwalk and the hike to the viewing hill. If I need to choose only one I will walk up the hill where you can really see the spring from above.
Due note 8:
Bring with you water, snacks or light food.
Due note 9:
Dress in Layers: Yellowstone's weather can change quickly even during the summer months. Be prepared for sun, rain, and cool temperatures. The walk and trails are exposed to the sun so bring a hat, use sunscreen and sunglasses.
My thoughts:
I visited here during a cold September morning and because of the heavy steam there was no visibility of the large Grand Prismatic Spring. The hike on the boardwalk was nice and there were only a few other people here. I revisited here during the afternoon but this time I hiked to the high viewing point.
I was not disappointed !
The view of the huge pool with all its colors is indeed a natural wonder.
The Visit:
the Midway Geyser Basin area is relatively minimalist, focusing on the preservation of the thermal features while offering visitor access:
An accessible boardwalk loop provides up-close views of the thermal features within the basin.
Due to its close proximity to the famous Old Faithful, I do recommend you combine your visit here to your Old Faithful area visit.
You have 2 separate ways to enjoy this amazing nature wonder:
The Boardwalk Loop provides an up-close view of the springs.
Hiking to the Grand Prismatic Overlook that provides an aerial view of the large pool from a nearby hill side.
The Boardwalk Loop:
The main parking area for the basin leads directly to a short, easy boardwalk loop of less than a mile. You will cross over Firehole River Bridge and the trail climb to the springs level.
There are three geyser pools here.
The first one on your left will be Excelsior Geyser Crater. A massive crater that was once a gigantic geyser, erupting up to 300 feet high in the late 19th century. Today, it functions as a powerful hot spring, constantly discharging thousands of gallons of boiling water per minute into the Firehole River.
Then the boardwalk heading to the edge of Grand Prismatic Spring.
Standing on the boardwalk next to this immense pool. Depending on air temperature and wind direction you can be immersed in the steam.
You can appreciate the size and the oranges, and reds colors of the microbial mats along the edges. The spring is so large that the complete rainbow effect is often obscured by its size.
After the Grand Prismatic Spring you will pass two smaller springs: Opal Pool and Turquoise Pool that have beautiful colors.
You complete the boardwalk loop, heading back down to the parking lot.
The walk here can take you for about half an hour.
Grand Prismatic Overlook:
For the iconic, full-rainbow view of the Grand Prismatic Spring, you must take the overlook trail. This is the only way to truly appreciate the scale and the concentric rings of color.
This visit is a hike with a distance of two miles round trip (out-and-back) and elevation gain of 200f to the overlook platform.
Plan for about at least an hour to be here.
The starting point of this hike (Fairy Falls Trailhead parking lot) is located about 1.7 miles east of the main parking lot.
Fairy Falls Trailhead parking lot is small and almost always full.
You can try to find an empty parking spot of someone that just finished his visit here or park along the main park road. Make sure you are parking offroad.
As explained, mid-day (with no clouds) is the best time to visit here, the steam fog is cleared and the sunlight makes the color pop up.
You can find vault toilets here.
This relatively short one mile hike to the viewing point is a popular hike and it is usually crowded.
Hike description:
From the parking lot the trail crosses the river over a large bridge and heads to the base of the hills. The trail here is a wide dirt road.
After about 0.7 miles you will see a clear marked trail on your left, heading up the hill.
Take this trail and climb the hill all the way to the small viewing platform.
From the small viewing platform there is a gap in the trees and you can clearly see the large Grand Prismatic Spring.
The spectacular rainbow color and the large size of the pool is clear from this high vantage point.
You can clearly see the pool's deep-blue center transition into dark red on its edges.
You can see the boardwalk and you will have the people walking there as a reference to the large pool size.
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