Fountain Paint Pot in Yellowstone National Park

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Fountain Paint Pot

The fascinating Fountain Paint Pot area in Yellowstone National Park contains all four types of thermal features that are popular to view - geysers, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles. Walk the half mile boardwalk nature trail to see it all.

  • See all four types of geothermal attractions in one location.
  • A short boardwalk takes you up close.
  • Experience the bubbling mud pots.
  • View the largest hot springs in Yellowstone – Firehole Lake.

What can I see and do in the Fountain Paint Pot area?

Take a .5 mile walk along a short boardwalk within the Fountain Paint Pot area to experience the wide range of geothermal attractions offered in Yellowstone. Here are some of the sites you'll see along the way:

  • Fountain Paint Pot - This is a classic mud pot. In the spring it is watery due to rain and runoff. In the late summer and fall it will be very thick.
  • Red Spouter - This spring originated with the Hebgen Lake earthquake, and changes throughout the seasons. In the spring and summer it spouts red water and mud. During the late summer and fall it is a hissing fumarole.
  • Fountain Geyser - Starting from a stunning blue pool, the Fountain Geyser is an unpredictable geyser that can reach heights of 50 feet and last for 20 minutes. Not to be confused with the Great Fountain Geyser on Firehole Lake Road.
  • Morning Geyser - Although it seldom erupts, when it does it reaches 150-200 feet high!
  • Firehole Lake - Jump back in your car and drive the Firehole Lake Road to visit Firehole Lake, the largest hot spring in the vicinity. The average temperature of this lake is a steaming 158° F.

Where is Fountain Paint Pot?

The Fountain Paint Pot area is south of Madison and north of Old Faithful between the Midway and Lower Geyser Basins. The parking area is next to the Firehole Lake road.