Midway Geyser Basin
The great writer Rudyard Kipling dubbed this area of large hot springs "Hell's Half Acre".
Plan Around Midway Geyser Basin
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Midway Geyser Basin Details
The great writer Rudyard Kipling dubbed this area of large hot springs "Hell's Half Acre" after visiting in 1889. A half-mile loop boardwalk leads you to the Excelsior Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring. The Excelsior Geyser once had eruptions of more than 300 feet high, making it the world's largest geyser, but is now dormant and is considered a hot spring. The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the largest hot springs in the world, at 370 feet in diameter.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
Region
Madison to Old Faithful
Nearby Parks Around Midway Geyser Basin
Compare nearby parks around Midway Geyser Basin when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Midway Geyser Basin
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Midway Geyser Basin while the map context is still fresh.
0.1 mi away
Fairy Falls Trail
These 197-foot waterfalls, some of the highest in the park, are a short, easy walk away from the big crowds.
0.1 mi away
Firehole River Bridge
This historic structure is a gateway to the heart of Yellowstone's geothermal activity.
0.1 mi away
Midway Geyser Basin Trail
Home to two of the largest thermal features in the park.
0.3 mi away
Grand Prismatic Spring
The largest hot spring in the United States but also the third largest in the world.
