West Thumb Geyser Basin

West Thumb Geyser Basin offers spectacular views and colorful geothermal features.

It offers spectacular views and colorful geothermal features. The attraction is located just north of Grand Teton. The basin was formed approximately 150,000 years ago by a large volcanic explosion. The caldera (volcanic crater) lies within a larger caldera, which encompasses the central and southern portions of the park.

Thermal features include the Abyss Pool, Twin Geysers, Black Pool, Fishing Cone

Thermal features include the Abyss Pool, Twin Geysers, Black Pool, Fishing Cone, Big Cone, Lakeshore Geyser, Lakeside Spring, Seismograph and Bluebell Pools and Thumb Paint Pots. The pools feature bright colors such as green, brown, orange and yellow, created by heat-loving organisms that live in the pools.

The best way to see the the area is to follow the boardwalk loop

The best way to see the the area is to follow the ½-mile boardwalk loop which circles the Central Basin and its thermal features. There are two loops. The inner loop measures 1/4 mile while the outer loop, which passes near the lake, measures 1/2 mile. Even though the boardwalk does not have any steps, there is a steeper grade on the outer loop of the trail.

The trail leads visitors near colorful hot springs, lakeshore geysers and blue lake. Observe how the thermal features extend under the surface of the lake. Underwater geysers can be seen as bulges on the lake's surface. In the winter, hot water melts holes in the ice.