Black Sand Basin
Its name is from the obsidian grains of sand you'll see scattered around its pools and geysers.
Plan Around Black Sand Basin
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Black Sand Basin Details
Black Sand Basin got its name from the obsidian grains of sand you'll see scattered around its pools and geysers. The most famous of these is Emerald Pool, which is 25 feet deep and gets its deep green color when the clear water reflects blue light off of the yellow bacteria and algae lining the pool. The multihued Rainbow Pool really does display every color of the rainbow along its edges. Opalescent Pool is cooler than the others in the basin, with water temperatures of about 144ºF. The pool has flooded some nearby lodgepole pines, and the silica in the water may eventually petrify the wood. Sunset Lake is actually a broad thermal pool, although it erupted during an earthquake in 1959 and still occasionally bubbles up to 10 feet high. You'll see Cliff Geyser at the edge of Iron Creek; it's named for the cliff-like wall of geyserite around its crater. Eruptions are irregular, but can last up to three hours and hit 40 feet high when they happen.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Old Faithful to West Thumb
Nearby Parks Around Black Sand Basin
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Nearby Points of Interest Around Black Sand Basin
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Black Sand Basin while the map context is still fresh.
0.7 mi away
Daisy Geyser
This highly predictable geyser erupts roughly every 200 minutes, and lasts for 3 to 5 minutes.
0.8 mi away
Skeleton Trees
Over many years, thermal waters have flowed, not only killing the trees, but preserving them.
0.8 mi away
Oblong Geyser
What makes Oblong so impressive is the volume of water it discharges during an eruption.
0.8 mi away
Grand Geyser
Grand is the most spectacular, because its eruptions consistently reach a height of over 180 feet.
0.8 mi away
Morning Glory Pool
This roundtrip hike takes you through the heart of the Upper Geyser Basin.
