Black Sand Basin

Black Sand Basin, one of Yellowstone’s most colorful basins, boasts a small isolated collection of geysers and hot springs scattered with fascinating volcanic glassy rock that lights up the imagination.

  • Close to Old Faithful for easy access.
  • See thermal springs as colorful as any rainbow.
  • Enjoy the deep colorful Emerald Pool.
  • Perhaps catch the rare occurrence of Rainbow Pool erupting.
  • Witness the strange skeleton trees at Opalescent Pool.
  • Watch Cliff Geyser crater fill with water to see an impressive eruption.

Overview

Rare obsidian sand covers much of the Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park, located in the Upper Geyser Basin. Jewel-like geysers and beautiful hot springs show vivid colors, which are the main attraction.

Location

The Black Sand Basin Yellowstone Park is located only a short distance from the Old Faithful Visitor Center on a paved trail.

Seasons to Visit

You can always visit the Black Sand Basin. Yellowstone is open all year. In the winter, you can only travel the interior park roads by over-snow vehicles.

Some of the Sights to See in Black Sand Basin

Moving through Yellowstone Black Sand Basin is a trip through a magical land of thermal waters and steam from hot springs. The collection of sights is a tour of colors and geology wonders.

Emerald Pool: Deep emerald colors blend amidst the orange and yellow fringes that form the outer ring of the pool.

Rainbow Pool: View the colors of a rainbow along the edges of this pool. Rainbow Pool rarely erupts, but when it did in 1948, it shot to a height of 25 feet.

Opalescent Pool: When Spouter Geyser began erupting, the run-off flowed into Opalescent Pool, flooding the surrounding area and creating white skeleton trees amidst a rainbow colored pool.

Cliff Geyser: When this crater fills with boiling water, you know an eruption is about to take place. Although irregular, it’s impressive, with water spouting 15 to 40 feet high.

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