Geothermal Features

Yellowstone National Park contains more than 75% of the world’s geysers, along with fascinating and colorful mud pots, hot springs and fumeroles, and all within seven major basin areas.

  • More than 75% of the world's geysers are in Yellowstone.
  • There are 7 major basins containing geysers in the Park.
  • It's not just the geysers, there are also mud pots, fumaroles and hot springs.

Yellowstone National Park geothermal features are popular the world over for their colorful mud pots, their spouting geysers and fascinating hot springs. Most Yellowstone Park geothermal features are located in the Geyser Basins such as:

  • Norris Geyser Basin
  • Black Sand Basin
  • Lower Geyser Basin
  • Midway Geyser Basin
  • Upper Geyser Basin
  • Monument Geyser Basin
  • West Thumb Geyser Basin

Some popular geysers to visit are:

  • Old Faithful Geyser - erupts with steam and water shooting 184 feet into the sky
  • Steamboat Geyser - Steamboat Geyser ejects water in bursts of 10 to 40 feet high
  • Great Fountain Geyser - the only geyser you can view from your car
  • Lone Star Geyser – hike to this geyser off the beaten path

The hot springs are scattered throughout the park and you should make it a point to see:

  • Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace - a living sculpture is formed by the flowing waters
  • Boiling River - one of the few places in Yellowstone where you can swim
  • and other Yellowstone Hot Springs.

Other great features include:

  • Terraces - a landscape that resembles a cave turned inside out
  • Fountain Paint Pot – a Yellowstone geothermal wonder of colors
  • Minerva Terraces – a wide range of bright colors
  • Mud Pots – bubbling mud in designs rich enough to photograph
  • Mud Volcano – one of the completely unique Yellowstone geothermal features
  • Steam Vents – Yellowstone geothermal activities at their best
  • Sulphur Caldron - one of the park’s most acid hot springs 

Safety

Please note: Stay on the boardwalks during your visit when visiting the geothermal features. If you break through the thin crust, you risk injury and can disturb the fine ecological balance in the park.

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