Color photo. Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park. Its water shades from green at the bank, to teal, to a deep blue in the center. The bank is yellow at the water's edge, shading to orange and red further away. Streaks of this orange-red mud trail from the closest edge of the spring towards the bottom left of the photo. Along the top edge there is a wooden boardwalk, raised only inches above the muddy plain. Many people can be seen on it, admiring the spring.

After a slight delay we return to my National Parks trip series and, at long last, we’ve reached Yellowstone.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone are very close and it’s possible to day-trip into one if you’re staying in the other, which is what I intended to do with my last full day on this trip.  So, after an even earlier pre-dawn wake up than prior days, I drove north in the Jeep.  My first stop was Old Faithful.

My timing was unintentionally good; I managed to arrive not too long before the next eruption.  There was enough time to grab a bite and some coffee from the hotel, before heading out to the viewing area to pick a spot before it got crowded.  A timer in the visitor’s center shows how long the estimated wait will be and the geyser lived up to its name, popping off right on schedule.  After a lifetime of hearing about it, seeing it happen was deeply gratifying.  Absolutely worth getting up early for.

Next up, and close by, was Grand Prismatic Spring.  By the time I got to there the parking lot was full, so I drove back a ways to the lot for the Fairy Falls Trailhead.  This, I think, turned out for the best.  For one, this was a cool spot.  It’s next to the Firehole River, and I could see hot springs pools everywhere, steaming into the cool morning air.  Second, it’s only a short hike to an overlook on a hill with a fantastic view of Grand Prismatic Spring.  Getting to see it from an elevated point worked for me; it allowed me to take in the whole thing at once.  🙂

Next up, another Yellowstone staple: Mammoth Hot Springs

Gear: Nikon Z 7II, Nikon Z 24-70mm f2.8 S, Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3

Prior posts in the 2023 National Parks trip series:

Check out the Print Store for more nature photos

Color photo. A geyser, Old Faithful, spewing a column of water and steam into the blue sky from a short rocky mound. A pine covered slope is visible behind the geyser.
Color photo. A narrow river crosses the middle of the frame, its surface glittering in the sun. On either bank, hot spring pools send clouds of steam into the air. The banks a covered in short grass in yellow and red. In the distance is a line of forested hills under a blue sky and high white clouds.
Color photo. A person fishing. They are wearing grey hip waders, a teal jacket, a gray vest, and gray hat. They're holding a fishing pole in their right hand, parallel to the surface of the river they are standing knee deep in. The far bank of the river is a field of golden short grass, with bare dead trees. Beyond, there is a line of pines, behind which rises a plume of steam. In the further distance, a pine tree covered hillside is visible.
Color photo. Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park. Its water shades from green at the bank, to teal, to a deep blue in the center. The bank is yellow at the water's edge, shading to orange and red further away. Streaks of this orange-red mud trail from the closest edge of the spring towards the bottom left of the photo. Along the top edge there is a wooden boardwalk, raised only inches above the muddy plain. Many people can be seen on it, admiring the spring.