Grand Prismatic Spring and Fairy Falls Trail

Last Updated on September 12, 2023 by

Possibly second in popularity only to Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring is a spectacular example of one of the many hot springs in Yellowstone. Perhaps that is why it is the most photographed feature in Yellowstone. Adding in a hike to Fairy Falls makes for an excellent half day in the Midway Geyser Basin.

If you are looking for a very full day in the park, you could add in a visit to Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin. If you decide you want to tackle both attractions in one day, it is probably best to start at Old Faithful. The parking situation is poor at both locations, but an early start at Old Faithful may offer slightly less congested parking at either Grand Prismatic parking lot.

Another option to round out your day could be a hike to Sentinel Falls with a follow on drive to Firehole Lake Loop. Sentinel Meadows is a fairly easy hike with a high probably of seeing bison herds up close and personal. It is also the site of the Queen’s Laundry Bathhouse historic site. Yet another failed project by Superintendent Norris, the Queen’s Laundry was supposed to be a multiple room bath house at the edge of the Queen’s Laundry travertine spring, but was never completed. Full disclosure, we were so enthralled by the bison herd we never even noticed the ruins.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin. Like it’s more famous counterpart Old Faithful, it is also not the only attraction in the basin. Midway Geyser Basin also contains Excelsior Geyser, a crater that discharges 4,000 gallons per minute of boiling hot water into the Firehole River.

Also like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic can viewed up close and personal from the boardwalk, or from an overhead view after a short hike. Unlike Old Faithful, there is no waiting for an eruption, just walk up and enjoy.

Measuring approximately 200-300 feet in diameter each, the two features in this basin are both huge, but Grand Prismatic Spring is by far the more visually stunning. Trillions of microscopic algae known as thermophiles are responsible for the brilliant rings of color surrounding the geyser. Different species of thermophile prefer different temperatures causing the distinct bands. Colorless and yellow thermophiles grow in the hottest water while orange, brown, and green thermophiles grow in cooler waters.

Grand Prismatic Spring Boardwalk

Despite its popularity, parking for Grand Prismatic Spring is painfully inadequate. Cars are nearly always spilled out onto the side of the road near the parking lot. Peak hours can slow traffic to an absolute crawl largely due to careless drivers parking in such a way that narrows the road down to one lane. Getting to this parking lot before 9AM, possibly even before 8AM is going to save you a lot of hassle.

The boardwalk loop from the parking lot is slightly less than a mile and provides great views of both Grand Prismatic Spring and Excelsior Geyser.

Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook

For a completely different perspective, drive to the Fairy Falls parking lot about a mile and a half south. Parking here is slightly improved from the Grand Prismatic parking lot, but I would still recommend an early arrival.
From the, it is a very wide, mostly flat walk on what appears to be an old fire break trail or service road for about a half mile. At the half mile point, the trail will diverge with a short steep climb to the observation point to the left, or more flat trail to the right for another quarter mile. The observation point is an incredible view.
From the observation point you can continue on the trail and it will rejoin what is Fairy Falls trail in less than a quarter mile or you can simply return the way you came.

Fairy Falls Trail

The Fairy Falls trail started out to be a bit of a disappointment. I did not realize at the time that it was also the route to the Grand Prismatic overlook. Flat and wide enough to hold two lanes of vehicle traffic, or 2500 tourists congregating all in one photo op spot, I thought I was in for a very long morning. However, once we took the spur heading up to the observation point, it was worth every nickel of this heavily trafficked tourist route.

After the observation point we got back on the road/trail to continue on to Fairy Falls. The trail travelled through pine forest on a basically flat route and then it just opens up to the falls. Again, couldn’t be happier with the end result of the trail. It’s an incredibly picturesque spot popping up seemingly from out of nowhere.

The falls are not that powerful in terms of water volume, but the height is impressive. There are plenty of places to sit and admire, or for the adventurous, several options to dip a toe or your entire body. It’s pretty obvious the route is well travelled based on the number of fat (really fat) chipmunks that will come right up onto your shoes if you stand still. (Turns out they were pica) Admittedly, I tried to fatten up a few of the skinny ones myself. Shame on me. The trip out had very few folks, but by the time we turned around to head home, it was a downright traffic jam of humanity. Early bird definitely gets the worm in Yellowstone.

Polly Anna here did not think it was a disappointment at any point on the trail. I got some great scenic pictures right out of the gate. Plus, there was the unexpected surprise of the Grand Prismatic Observation Loop being right off the Falls trail. The falls themselves were ‘one of the most spectacular falls of the park’ as the website claims. Not as magnificent as The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, but we may not be able to visit there this trip as part of the Grand Loop drive is closed down disrupting access to some of the trails. I was not expecting to see forests of downed, burned pine trees from the 1988 Yellowstone Fire amongst the new growth pine. Even though we’ve (peripherally) seen this on our drive in, it was right in your face on this trail.

Wildlife we saw today included rodents, rodents and more rodents. Squirrels, chipmunks and best of all, a pica. It was “cutting” down tiny plants and dragging them up the rocky hillside to his den. Funniest thing we saw – the Lindie version of a chipmunk – that means fat…really fat. And yes, Shawn was feeding it, too.

But first, an important safety message:

I’d like to add that it cannot go without saying that my lovely bride is still seemingly oblivious to the concept of friction after 50 years. While trying to get a better angle for a photo, she decided to attempt to cross a wet, algae covered log and promptly slipped and fell and injured her hand. Good thing we ALWAYS carry a first aid kit. And while I complain about her not understanding friction, I also haven’t learned empathy after 50 years. Empathy, far more than first aid, was required in this situation.

Perhaps someone is oblivious to friction AND gravity. Too bad Shawn has no blue and even less empathy. Good thing he had the first aid kit. And that I didn’t injure more than just my hand.

Always Remember the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace

Plan Ahead and Prepare, Stay on Designated Trails, Dispose of Waste Properly, Don’t Take Anything You Didn’t Bring with You, Minimize Campfire Impacts, Respect Wildlife, Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Courtesy: Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics