Introduction:
What? :
Old Faithful is probably Yellowstone’s Most Iconic Wonder!
No trip to Yellowstone National Park is complete without witnessing the Old Faithful eruption when the geyser shoots steaming water over 100 feet into the air.
Old Faithful has been erupting consistently for over 150 years, its natural eruption phenomenon happens approximately every 90 minutes..
Old Faithful was named during that 1870 expedition precisely because of its reliable and predictable eruptions.
Visiting here is not only about seeing the Old-Faithful erupting.
Old Faithful is located in the Upper Geyser Basin, a dense concentration of geysers, hot springs, and steaming vents, all connected by a network of boardwalks and trails.
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Where? :
Old Faithful is located in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park.
It is just off one of the park's main roads, Grand Loop Road.
Located approximately a 1.5-hour drive north from the park south entrance (coming from Grand Teton National Park) and about 45 minutes drive from.
It will take you about one hour if you are coming from Yellowstone West Park entrance, turn right in Madison junction.
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 the geyser basin.
It is very crowded here during the summer months. The crowds are mainly around the viewing area for Old Faithful, boardwalks, Visitor center and stores.
Days are usually warm days (70-80f), but nights can still be cool. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.
All surrounding lodges 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 40-70 f, with nights dropping below freezing.
Winter:
Winter (Mid-December to Mid-March) transforms the Old Faithful area 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 to Old Faithful 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:
Bring with you water and snacks so you do not need to waste time in the General Store.
Due note 2:
Dress in Layers: Yellowstone's weather can change quickly even during the summer months. Be prepared for sun, rain, and cool temperatures.
Due note 3:
Visitor center: The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center offers interactive exhibits, real-time eruption predictions, and ranger-led talks that deepen your understanding of Yellowstone’s geothermal system.
You can also learn here the expected time of the next eruption.
Due note 4:
The Old Faithful area is one of the most accessible and well-developed centers of the park. The highway-like entrance has wide 2 lens road, huge parking lots surrounding the main building and attraction points.
Due note 5:
There are several accommodation options located near Old Faithful. Make sure to set your reservations many months in advance.
Old Faithful Inn: A magnificent log structure that is declared as a National Historic Landmark.
Old Faithful Lodge Cabins: More rustic and affordable cabins.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins: A more modern lodge open year-round.
Due note 6:
There are several dining options here.
There is a large dining room at the Old Faithful Inn and several cafeterias and snack bars at the lodge and visitor center.
Old Faithful General Store has 2 locations here. The larger one is south of the visitor center. You can find groceries and snacks, basic outdoor and camping supplies, gifts and souvenirs, and a restaurant with seated food service.
Due note 7:
Restrooms: Widely available throughout the area.
Gas Station: A service station is available nearby.
Cell reception: unlike most of the park there is good cell reception in this area.
Due note 8:
The area of Old Faithful is one of the park's main attractions and it gets incredibly crowded. I do recommend getting here before 9 AM or in the late afternoon/early evening. Less traffic gems, you can find parking and less people around the geyser and on the nearby trails..
Due note 9:
Stay on Boardwalks: The ground around thermal features is thin, fragile, and boiling hot.
Due note 10:
While less common in this developed area, keep an eye out for bison, elk, or other wildlife in the surrounding meadows. I saw several bison when visiting here.
My thoughts:
I came early in the morning to avoid the crowd. I learned when the next eruption is expected and decided that I still have enough time to hike to the Observation Point. I saw the eruption from above and after that I walked down and explored the Upper Geyser Basin. I walk over the boardwalk all the way to Morning Glory Pool.
From here I walked back to the and saw Old Faithful eruption from the overcrowded viewing platform.
The Old Faithful eruption is indeed impressive and it was fun to explore the different geysers and pools in the Upper Geyser Basin.
The Visit:
The Old Faithful erupt is a truly mesmerizing sight, sending thousands of gallons of boiling water to heights of 100-180 feet accompanied with strong puffing sounds and it only lasts for a few minutes.
The eruption happens every 90 minutes and it is quite accurate.
How to plan your visit here:
When coming here my recommendation is to head straight to the Visitor Education Center to get the projected time for the next Old Faithful eruption, or check with people when was the last time it was
You will plan your visit around that so you can have at least one opportunity to see it up close.
If the next eruption is coming soon, get to the viewing platform and wait. If there is a long time until the next eruption you can visit the visitor center and learn about the park geothermal system.
Depending on how much time you have you can explore the nearby Upper Geyser Basin or if you just miss the eruption and you have one and a half hour to spend you can walk the long boardwalk and explore Upper Geyser Basin all the way up to Morning Glory Pool.
Although the Old Faithful eruption time prediction is relatively accurate, come to the viewing location about 15 minutes before the projected eruption time to find a good viewing spot, especially on the benches.
There are benches around Old Faithful, but many people simply stand on the boardwalks.
Do expect this to be VERY crowded on the viewing platform, especially after late morning.
Viewing tips:
Come here 15 minutes prior to the eruption in case it will be earlier.
You can avoid the crowd packing the platform around Old Faithful by walking to the trails on the north side of old fateful and see the eruption from there.
Another option is to hike up to Observation Point and see it from above.
Your visit here is not only to see the Old Faithful eruption, there are many other things to see here.
Upper Geyser Basin:
The area near Old Faithful and to the northwest is called Upper Geyser Basin and it is the largest concentration of geysers in the world.
An extensive network of accessible boardwalks and paved paths connects the geyser basin features, allowing for easy and safe exploration.
From Old Faithful area all the way to Morning Glory Pool it is 1.5 miles over the paved trail, making it somehow longer than 3 miles roundtrip using the boardwalk.
You can find here many active geysers, hot springs, and colorful pools and the walk is easy and flat.
The main "attractions" along the hike here are: Grand Geyser, Chromatic Pool, Giant Geyser, Grotto Geyser and the beautiful Morning Glory Pool at the far end of this area.
I recommend walking northwest on the boardwalk and returning on the paved trail.
Observation Point Trail:
For a stunning panoramic high view of Old Faithful and the entire Upper Geyser Basin, I highly recommend walking to Observation Point.
From Old Faithful this forest trail is about 1.1 miles one-way, with a steady uphill climb and total elevation gain of 160 feet.
At the end of the trail you will reach a high viewing point of the valley below and there is a clearing in the forest so you can see Old Faithful erupt from above. Because of the need to hike and the climb this is a great place to escape some of the crowds.
When you are coming down you can combine this trail with the Upper Geyser Basin Loop for a longer exploration, connecting to all other geysers and hot springs.
If you combine the Observation Point Trail with the Upper Geyser Basin walk it will be about a 4 mile long hike.
Summery:
Old Faithful, the legendary geyser that has been captivating visitors for generations with its reliable eruptions.
Steaming fumaroles, vibrant hot springs, and a sprawling wilderness teeming with wildlife is making the visit here a “must do” activity.
Whether you’re here for a quick visit just to see the geyser eruption or planning to spend half a day exploring the Old Faithful area, the visit here delivers an unforgettable experience.
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