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 a full Yellowstone National Park itinerary
Unable to display map at this time. Please try again later.
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.
Related Tours to Book
View more tours
Plans in Yellowstone National Park by other users
16 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
July, teens, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, popular
PREFERENCES: July, teens, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular
PACE: Medium
13 days in Yellowstone National Park
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
July, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: July
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
7 days in Yellowstone National Park & South Dakota
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
July, kids, historic sites, museums, popular
PREFERENCES: July, kids, historic sites, museums
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular
PACE: Medium
15 days in Yellowstone National Park
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
October, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, shopping, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: October, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, shopping
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
5 days in Wyoming
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
October, popular
PREFERENCES: October
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular
PACE: Medium
13 days in United States
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
August, kids, outdoors, historic sites, popular
PREFERENCES: August, kids, outdoors, historic sites
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular
PACE: Medium
3 days in Yellowstone National Park
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
July, popular
PREFERENCES: July
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular
PACE: Medium
5 days in Yellowstone National Park
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
July, culture, outdoors, historic sites, hidden gems
PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, historic sites
ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems
PACE: Medium
15 days in Rapid City, Yellowstone National Park & Montana
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
July, popular
PREFERENCES: July
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular
PACE: Medium
21 days in Yellowstone National Park & Portland
BY A USER FROM ITALY
July, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums, hidden gems
PREFERENCES: July, teens, kids, culture, outdoors, historic sites, museums
ATTRACTION STYLE: Hidden gems
PACE: Medium
4 days in Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
July, teens, kids, popular
PREFERENCES: July, teens, kids
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular
PACE: Medium
7 days in United States
BY A USER FROM ITALY
July, outdoors, relaxing, fast-paced, popular
PREFERENCES: July, outdoors, relaxing
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular
PACE: Fast-paced
View more plans
Reviews
-
Candice S
I recommend the hike when it opens. You can not get a good view from the boardwalk. It's still something I'm glad I did, but I wish I could have seen it from above. more »
-
clearfieldtoothpullr
We came here expecting to see the views that you see in all of the postcards, books etc but when we went there was so much, what I guess is steam, coming off of the spring that you can't really see th... more »
-
KiteGirl78
The Grand Prismatic Spring is otherworldly. The colors are amazing, particularly when the weather conditions help to keep the steam down. I can't wait until the new trail is completed off of the Fairy... more »
-
Muhammad Danish
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.
-
Okan Sakar
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.
-
Dave Higgins
Walk in the evening after the tour buses leave for less crowds. Great place to see.
-
Travis higley
One of my favorite wonders in Yellowstone. Stunning Spring.
-
Chad Ernspiker
Amazing, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Don't miss it
Best things to do in Yellowstone National Park
Popular
©
©
©
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 3h
Grand Prismatic Spring
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 1h 30min
Lamar Valley
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 2h 30min
Nature
©
©
©
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 6h
Old Faithful
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 1h 30min
Mammoth Hot Springs
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 3h
Hidden Gems
©
Mount Washburn
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 8h
S Rim Trail
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 2h 30min
©
Kayaking & Canoeing
Yellowstone National Park
Visit for: 8h
Side Trips
©
©
Grand Teton
Grand Teton National Park
Visit for: 8h
Grand Teton National Park
Wyoming
Visit for: 8h
Horseback Riding Tours
Gardiner
Visit for: 4h
Are you the owner of this business?
Click here for promotion tips.
