Get close to the bubbling hot springs and spouting geysers of the hottest and most changeable geothermal area of Yellowstone National Park.
Discover the ever-changing landscapes and fascinating geological features of Norris Geyser Basin. Follow a series of boardwalks and dirt trails to viewpoints of crackling lakes, natural fountains and simmering pools. Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest region of Yellowstone National Park and has temperatures recorded at over 450 F (230 C). Evidence suggests that geothermal activity has been present for 115,000 years.
Start your visit at the Norris Geyser Basin Museum. Here find interactive exhibits and panels that explain the area’s geothermal aspects and highlight the geological features of the national park. Rangers are present to provide information and offer their services as guides. The museum is also the starting point for the basin’s two trails, both of which are lined with interpretive signs.
North of the museum is the barren Porcelain Basin. Watch as steam blows from vents and water shoots hundreds of feet into the air. Some geysers erupt and then disappear after short periods while others remain constant. See layers of rock vibrating under pressure from boiling water and pools changing from an icy-blue colour to muddy explosions in an instant.
The Back Basin, to the south, is a larger area encompassed by thick woodland. It’s accessible via a 1.5-mile-long (2.4-kilometre) trail. Marvel at the vivid green water at Emerald Lake and Green Dragon Spring. Eruptions of Steamboat Geyser have reached 300 feet (91 metres), making it one of the largest active geysers on record. Although the geysers may not erupt during your visit, it’s still possible to witness steam rising and water gurgling like a cauldron.
Find this natural landmark along the western arm of the Grand Loop Road. It’s about a 20-minute drive west of Canyon Village. Free parking is available. There’s a campsite to the north. The Grand Loop Road and campsite close during the winter.
Norris Geyser Basin is open year-round. The museum opens from late May until early October. Ask at the museum about ranger-led tours.
