The Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone and The Geysers You Can Visit Nearby

By VacationIdea Staff | Affiliate Disclosure

Yellowstone

VacationIdea

What is the Old Faithful Inn?
- If you are looking for unique historic vacation destinations, the Old Faithful Inn is as much of an attraction in Yellowstone National Park as some of the most beautiful geysers and pools.
How big is the Old Faithful Inn?
- An imposing building nearly 700 feet in length, the inn was constructed from massive wooden logs.
What are the key features of the Old Faithful Inn?
- The core is seven stories high and features:
- A giant fireplace
- Rustic balconies with rocking chairs
- A visitors center in the lobby
When was the Old Faithful Inn built?
- The central building was constructed in 1903.
- The east wing was added in 1913.
- The west wing was added in 1927.
Why do so many visitors come to the Old Faithful Inn?
- Hundreds of people pour in and out of the lobby in the summer, as tour buses stop for a view of the Old Faithful Geyser, one of the world's most famous geysers.
- The main dining room, with its rustic touches, is also a regular stop for tours.
When is the best time to visit the Old Faithful Inn?
- If you want to avoid the crowds, the best time to visit is spring and fall.
How far in advance should you book a room?
- In the summer, be sure to book a room well in advance.
How much does it cost to stay at the Old Faithful Inn?
- Room rates range from around $100 for a double to $350 per night for a suite.
How can you make reservations?
- For reservations, call 307-344-7311 or visit www.travelyellowstone.com.
Are tours of the Old Faithful Inn available?
- Yes, tours of the inn are offered at regular intervals in the summer, commencing at the giant fireplace in the lobby.
Where can visitors get information about Yellowstone National Park?
- Stop by the visitors center in the lobby to check on road conditions and receive geyser eruption predictions.

⮕ Old Faithful Geyser

Old Faithful Geyser

What is the Old Faithful Geyser?
- The Old Faithful Geyser is one of the most famous attractions in the U.S.
- Almost every visitor to Yellowstone National Park comes to see it erupt.
Where is the Old Faithful Geyser located?
- It is located in the Upper Geyser Basin, which is home to the majority of the world's active geysers.
How did the Old Faithful Geyser get its name?
- It received its name because of its frequent and regular eruptions.
How often does the Old Faithful Geyser erupt?
- The interval between eruptions varies from 45 to 120 minutes.
How long does each eruption last?
- Each eruption lasts 1.5 to 5 minutes, during which boiling water is shot up to 180 feet into the air.
What was our experience at the Old Faithful Geyser?
- While we stayed at the historic inn, we observed several incredible eruptions, which varied greatly in height.
Are there other geysers near Old Faithful?
- While most visitors come primarily to see this famous attraction, there are numerous other beautiful geysers just steps away.
How can visitors safely view the geothermal features?
- The area features an elaborate system of boardwalks which allow visitors to admire geothermal features from a safe distance.
When is the peak season for visiting Old Faithful?
- The peak season is from June to August, when the area is saturated with tour buses and cars.
Why do visitors stop at the Old Faithful Inn?
- Everybody stops at the inn to:
- See its impressive 7-story lobby
- Shop at the gift shop
- Check on eruption predictions
- Eat lunch
What should visitors wear and bring during summer?
- In the summer, be sure to:
- Wear sunscreen
- Wear a hat
- Drink plenty of water
Why is wildlife frequently seen near the geysers?
- Wildlife frequents the area, attracted by the warmth of thermal features during the cold nights.
How can I stay safe around wildlife?
- It is important to keep a safe distance and follow all ranger warnings to make your vacation a safe one.

⮕ Geyser Hill is Home to Active Geysers and Colorful Pools

Geyser Hill is Home to Active Geysers and Colorful Pools

What is Geyser Hill?
- Geyser Hill, located in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, features several active geysers and colorful thermal pools.
How can visitors reach Geyser Hill?
- A scenic boardwalk leads up from Old Faithful to Geyser Hill.
Why should visitors take a walk up to Geyser Hill?
- If you are staying overnight, a walk up here is a must.
- Along the way, you will witness:
- Many exciting eruptions
- Colorful pools of water
- Scenic views of the historic inn
What attractions can be found on Geyser Hill?
- Attractions include:
- Anemone
- Beehive
- Lion Group
- Heart Spring
What is the Lion Group?
- The Lion Group consists of four geysers:
- Little Cub
- Lioness
- Big Cub
- Lion
How did the Lion Group get its name?
- The group received its name from the roaring sounds that announce an eruption.
How high does the Lion geyser erupt?
- Lion, which has the largest cone, erupts up to 80 feet high for up to 7 minutes.
Where is the Lion Group located?
- The Lion Group is set on top of the hill overlooking Firehole River.

⮕ Anemone Geyser Erupts Every 7 to 15 Minutes

Anemone Geyser Erupts Every 7 to 15 Minutes

What is Anemone Geyser?
- Anemone Geyser, located just steps from the Old Faithful Geyser, erupts every 7-15 minutes.
Why should visitors see Anemone Geyser?
- If you don't have time to see any other attractions in the area, walk to this charming little feature and witness an eruption.
- You will also get a nice view of the Old Faithful Inn.
What happens during a typical Anemone Geyser cycle?
- Water begins to fill the pool.
- As it overflows, large bubbles rise to the surface.
- A 10-foot eruption follows.
- The water then drains back into the vent and the cycle repeats.

⮕ Beehive Eruptions Reach 200 Feet

Beehive Eruptions Reach 200 Feet

When does Beehive Geyser erupt?
- When active, Beehive Geyser draws a large audience because of the height of its eruptions which reach from 130 to 180 feet.
Why is it called Beehive Geyser?
- The feature is named for its 4-foot high cone which resembles a beehive.
How powerful is Beehive Geyser?
- This is one of the most powerful geysers in Yellowstone because the cone acts as a nozzle which directs a column of steam and water up to 200 feet in the air.
How often does it erupt?
- It can be dormant for long periods. When it is active, it erupts once or twice per day for about 5 minutes.
Where can I find eruption predictions?
- Stop at the Old Faithful visitor center for current activity predictions.

⮕ Colorful Heart Spring

Colorful Heart Spring

What does the Colorful Heart Spring pool look like?
- Blue in the middle, the Colorful Heart Spring pool has a colorful rim where heat-loving microorganisms have found their home.
What makes the scenery around Colorful Heart Spring special?
- The scenery is breathtaking, and sometimes Castle Geyser can be seen erupting in the background.

⮕ Castle Geyser is One of the World's Oldest

Castle Geyser is One of the World's Oldest

What makes Castle Geyser special?
- When Castle Geyser is erupting, it is one of the more distinguishing features of the Upper Geyser Basin landscape in Yellowstone National Park.
Where is Castle Geyser located?
- If you follow the boardwalk from Old Faithful up to the Chromatic and Beauty Pools, this attraction is situated across the Firehole River.
How often does Castle Geyser erupt?
- It erupts every 11 to 13 hours and reaches 75 feet in height. The eruption lasts about 20 minutes.
Why does Castle Geyser have a large cone?
- The large cone means that it's very old. Thousands of years of scalding water have deposited silica in a heaping pile.
How does Castle Geyser compare to Old Faithful?
- By comparison, Old Faithful is only a few hundred years old.
How has Castle Geyser changed its surroundings?
- The geothermal feature has dramatically changed its surroundings by flooding the area with hot, silica-rich water.
How often does it erupt per day?
- It erupts twice per day.

⮕ Grand Geyser: World's Tallest Predictable Geyser

Grand Geyser: World's Tallest Predictable Geyser

What makes Grand Geyser special?
- Grand Geyser is the tallest predictable geyser in the world and was without a doubt one of the highlights of our trip to Yellowstone.
How high does Grand Geyser erupt?
- It erupts up to 200 feet high for 9-12 minutes.
What happens before an eruption?
- Before each eruption, the pools fill with water and people usually start to gather on the benches facing the geyser.
Where can I find eruption predictions?
- You can also get the predictions for upcoming eruptions at the visitor center.
What type of geyser is Grand Geyser?
- This is a classic fountain geyser that erupts with powerful bursts, usually between 1 and 4 during an eruption.
What is the eruption experience like?
- When we were there, people started to leave after the first burst and came running back as the second burst followed.

⮕ The Grotto Geyser

The Grotto Geyser

How often does Grotto Geyser erupt?
- The Grotto Geyser in Yellowstone erupts in about seven-hour intervals, reaching 10 feet into the air.
How long does an eruption last?
- The eruption lasts from 1.5 to more than 10 hours!
How old is Grotto Geyser?
- This is one of the oldest erupting geysers, featuring thousands of years worth of deposits.
How does it affect the surrounding area?
- The surrounding area is flooded with scorching water, which is constantly changing the landscape.
Where is Grotto Geyser located?
- The feature is located in the Upper Geyser Basin.
What does the surrounding landscape look like?
- The surrounding landscape is quite surreal, with a lot of "smoke" and water.

⮕ Firehole River

Firehole River

What is the experience like on the boardwalk of the Upper Geyser Basin?
- As you stroll on the boardwalk of the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone from the Old Faithful Geyser to the Biscuit Basin, Firehole River follows along, contributing to the surreal scenery of this area with its erupting geysers, steam rising from hot pools, and beautiful views.
Where is Riverside Geyser located?
- Riverside Geyser, set on the banks of the Firehole River, adds to the beauty of the area.
How high does Riverside Geyser erupt?
- It erupts 75 feet high every six hours.
What special effect can be seen during an eruption?
- On a sunny day, a rainbow can be spotted in the spray.