📷 Photo by Laminda Nickla on UnsplashGrand Prismatic Spring
Yellowstone, WY
A hot spring bigger than a football field, ringed with orange and yellow microbial mats. See it from the Fairy Falls trail overlook.
This spring in the Midway Geyser Basin is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone and more than 37 m (121 feet) deep. It is also the earliest described thermal feature in the park that can be definitely identified: fur trapper Osborne Russell wrote about it in 1839. Its colors come from heat-loving microorganisms: colorless and yellow species grow in the hottest water, orange, brown and green ones in cooler zones.
You reach the edge on boardwalks in the Midway Geyser Basin. For the overview, take the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail: it starts at the Fairy Falls Trailhead, about 1.6 km (1 mile) south of Midway Geyser Basin, climbs roughly 32 m (105 feet) over 1 km (0.6 mile) and is 1.9 km (1.2 miles) round trip. Allow one to two hours. Parking is tight, especially between 10 am and 6 pm. Stay on boardwalks and trails and don't touch the microbial mats; the hot water can cause severe burns.
- Nearest town
- Yellowstone, WY
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.5251, -110.8382
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Yellowstone Grizzly RV ParkMotorhome stopover16 mi from Grand Prismatic Spring · 240 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Grant Village CampgroundCampsite16 mi from Grand Prismatic Spring · 430 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Lewis Lake CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Grand Prismatic Spring · 84 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking water
- Bridge Bay CampgroundCampsite20 mi from Grand Prismatic SpringTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Canyon CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Grand Prismatic Spring · 273 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Fishing Bridge RV ParkCampsite23 mi from Grand Prismatic Spring · 310 pitchesCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Wyoming · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Grand Prismatic Spring?
Grand Prismatic Spring is in Yellowstone, WY, at GPS 44.5251, -110.8382. It is about 16 mi from West Yellowstone.
Can you camp near Grand Prismatic Spring?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Madison Campground, about 8 mi away; within 25 mi there are 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Grand Prismatic Spring?
Grand Prismatic Spring is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Grand Teton, Yellowstone and the Beartooth Highway and Geysers, grizzlies and granite peaks – through Grand Teton and Yellowstone to Cody.
What is there to see near Grand Prismatic Spring?
Places worth a stop nearby: Old Faithful (4 mi), Old Faithful Inn (5 mi), Madison Campground (8 mi) and West Thumb Geyser Basin (15 mi).
When is the best time to visit Grand Prismatic Spring?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)