Trip Planner:   USA  /  Wyoming  /  Yellowstone National Park  /  Nature  /  Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park

4.7
#3 of 38 in Parks in Yellowstone National Park
Hot Spring Nature / Park
At nearly 113 m (370 ft) across and 37 m (121 ft) deep, Grand Prismatic Spring holds the title of the largest hot spring in America and one of the largest in the world. A premier attraction at Yellowstone National Park, the spring's fame traces back to early explorers and fur trappers who first noted it in the early 1800s. The boiling pool constantly steams and bubbles, with its vivid, rainbow-like appearance--the result of pigmented bacteria. To get a close-up view, walk along the park's boardwalk, which leads to a route close to the water's edge. Stay on the path, as the high temperatures of the pool can be dangerous. Put Grand Prismatic Spring and other Yellowstone National Park attractions into our Yellowstone National Park travel itinerary planner, and watch your holiday take shape.
Create an itinerary including Grand Prismatic Spring
map
Related Tours to Book
Yellowstone Lower Loop Full-Day Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $260
Yellowstone National Park Full-Day Guided Tour BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $289
Yellowstone Guided Day Tour From Jackson Hole BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $250
Yellowstone Guided Day Tour From Jackson Hole BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $1,100
Yellowstone Upper and Lower Loop Tours BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $1,370
Yellowstone Guided Day Tour From Jackson Hole BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $970
Yellowstone Lower Loop Self-Guided Tour from Cody BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $57
Self-Guided Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour from Gardiner BOOK WITH VIATOR FROM $57
View more tours
Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
2,081 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • The grand prismatic spring is a natural wonder. You have to take the trail to see him from the top.
    View original
  • The best way to view is to take the short hike off of the Fairy Falls trailhead . You look down on the spring and it's surrounding area. We came back down to the Fairy falls trail and made our way to ...  more »
  • We too the path from the south side. It's a little longer walk, but you can go up the trail to get an "overhead" view of the spring. It is truly awe inspiring! There are countless hot springs and vent...  more »
View more on TripAdvisor »
Google
  • One of the most attractable wonder. Best time to actually experience color spectrum is sunny shiny day that will reflect the sunlight through water prism. Really got in love with the wonderful natural landscape, will surely visit there.
  • One of the coolest things that I have ever seen in person and a definite highlight to one of the best vacations ever.
  • Absolutely beautiful. You gotta hike to the top of the hill behind it to get the best view.
  • One of my top place in Yellowstone. It is a huge boiling colorful pool in midway geyser basin. But you cant see the real beauty from ground level. You should climb to the hill to have a better view of the colours of pool.
  • Walk in the evening after the tour buses leave for less crowds. Great place to see.
View more on Google »

Plan your trip to Yellowstone National Park

  • Get a personalized plan

    A complete day-by-day itinerary
    based on your preferences

  • Customize it

    Refine your plan. We'll find the
    best routes and schedules

  • Book it

    Choose from the best hotels
    and activities. Up to 50% off

  • Manage it

    Everything in one place.
    Everyone on the same page.

Best things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Popular
©
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
Old Faithful
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
©
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 6​h
Nature
©
Mammoth Hot Springs
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 3​h
©
Mount Washburn
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 8​h
©
Upper Geyser Basin
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Kid Friendly Attractions
©
Hayden Valley
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 6​h
©
Spas & Wellness
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 2​h
©
Nature & Wildlife Tours
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 8​h
Hidden Gems
©
Uncle Tom's Trail
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 2​h
©
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 8​h
Side Trips
©
Grand Teton
Grand Teton National Park
Visit for: 8​h
©
Grand Teton National Park
Wyoming
Visit for: 8​h
Horseback Riding Tours
Gardiner
Visit for: 4​h
Nearby
©
Old Faithful Inn
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 1​h 30​min
Midway Geyser Basin
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 2​h 30​min
©
Lower Geyser Basin
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 3​h
Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.
©

Where to stay in Yellowstone National Park

As one of the U.S.'s most popular national parks, Yellowstone provides plenty of options for sleeping within its boundaries. Choose from lodges, inns, cabins, hotels, motels, and campgrounds throughout the park. Most of the structured accommodations lie in the park's most-visited areas, such as Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Falls, Old Faithful Geyser, and Yellowstone Lake. Staying on the northern side of the lake puts you right in the heart of the park, making it relatively convenient to visit other areas. Resorts, lodges, and guest ranches line the road just outside the park's east entrance, and a cluster of motels and hotels fills the town of West Yellowstone near the west entrance. You can also opt for lodges and inns to the north in Gardiner, Montana, or find nearly every type of accommodation to the south in Jackson, Wyoming. Staying outside the park is fine if you plan to drive through in a day and catch the highlights, but you'll want to spend at least one night inside the park if you plan to explore it more thoroughly.
CHECK IN - CHECK OUT
TripAdvisor
Millions of travel reviews
on TripAdvisor

Plans in Yellowstone National Park by other users

13 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, popular PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 13 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, popular PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 15 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, teens, outdoors, romantic, beaches, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: July, teens, outdoors, romantic, beaches, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 10 days in United States BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, popular PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 2 days in Yellowstone National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, kids, popular PREFERENCES: August, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 2 days in Yellowstone National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, kids, popular PREFERENCES: August, kids ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 2 days in Yellowstone National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, popular PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Yellowstone National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Yellowstone National Park BY A USER FROM CANADA October, popular PREFERENCES: October ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Yellowstone National Park BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES September, popular PREFERENCES: September ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 36 days in United States BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA July, culture, outdoors, historic sites, hidden gems PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems PACE: Medium 35 days in United States BY A USER FROM PAKISTAN August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping, popular PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, romantic, beaches, historic sites, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
View more plans