Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring
4.5
About
Brightly-colored hot spring, the result of algae that live in the water.
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  • tripska
    16 contributions
    Breathtaking natural wonder
    The Grand Prismatic Spring is truly a wonder to behold! The steam rising from the water creates a mystical atmosphere. The crowds can be overwhelming at times, it's worth braving the crowds to witness this natural wonder.
    Visited July 2022
    Written May 1, 2023
  • GlobeTrotting595857
    Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida2 contributions
    Uphill grade with long ramps.
    I looked forward to seeing Grand Prismatic Spring but when we arrived I could not walk the entire long way up the ramps to the site. If there was a warning for those with mobility issues, it would have been helpful. This is no reflection on wonderful Yellowstone, just asking for notice when there could be a lengthy walk uphill. We had a wonderful trip to the park.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written May 22, 2023
  • Kathy Z
    246 contributions
    Incredible gem of the Yellowstone] geysers.
    This is one of the most popular attractions and lots of people, selfies and action-but understandably as it is a major geological landmark. Be careful on the boardwalk as it is busy and we thought a bit narrow and boards a bit slippery. Go early.
    Visited May 2023
    Written June 10, 2023
  • Demon Mike
    Melbourne, Australia270 contributions
    Grand Prismatic Spring
    We saw numeroud geysers and springs including the Grand Prismatic Spring. It is intersting to view at ground level but you do not get to see or appreciate the cvlours untiul you go to the upper lookout and look down on it. The walk is a short drive down the road
    Visited June 2023
    Written June 20, 2023
  • Mandy12345
    Denver, Iowa18 contributions
    Mesmerizing
    Definitely get an overlook view from Fairy Falls. Come on a sunny to partly sunny day. Intense experience with a few clouds and the changes in color! Decent hike - 8 year old made it. Buffalo sighting was a bonus. Go early- parking is difficult. Popular attraction.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written June 24, 2023
  • 5inavan
    South Deerfield, Massachusetts863 contributions
    Kodachrome....6/25/23
    After first hiking to a perch overlooking the spring, where we could gain a real perspective on the vast colors of the area, we descended to the parking area for the half mile walkway around Grand Prismatic Spring. The lot was full so we parked on the side of the road and walked into the lot (really to use their facilities), then continued up to the spring. The loop walkway is one way which made for excellent control of one of the most busy spots we encountered on our 4 days in the Park. Plenty of room to take pictures and not be feeling like an imposition on anyone else's experience.
    Visited June 2023
    Written July 2, 2023
  • rogersober
    Clermont, Florida28,520 contributions
    One of the Park’s Best Features
    How incredible to be able to see this historic and beautiful place in the park. I wished we did the vantage point hike to see it from above. The boardwalk was very nice and parking as difficult. The restroom was good and the bison was a nice see.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written July 14, 2023
  • Gretz
    8 contributions
    Beautiful
    If you have the time, I would recommend taking the longer hike to an upper viewing area, so that you’re looking down at the springs. We walked the boardwalk area that puts you right next to the springs. This was amazing, but also hard to get a full view of how large these springs are. The contrast in colors was incredible.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written August 16, 2023
  • CanuckAlberta
    605 contributions
    GPS amazing
    Grand Prismatic Springs is a must see if visiting Yellowstone, especially if you are looking for more accessible activities. The parking lot was full when we arrived at 10AM so we had to park on the side of the highway which was not an issue for us. We did not find it overcrowded as the people are dispersed around the .5mile boardwalk. Even though it was a cool/cloudy day the colors were amazing, I can only imagine what it would look like on a sunny day. Because it was cool, which creates more steam and limits visibility, we did not hike up to the overlook.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written September 21, 2023
  • barb777
    Chicago, Illinois144 contributions
    It's not close to the parking lot - be ready to hike.
    We had no idea that it was quite a distance to actually see the prismatic spring. There is no signage until you get to the trail you have to take, unfortunately. It would be helpful to list the distances in the park information from the parking lot to the actual viewing, so you could choose which attractions to see before you make a point of driving there and trying to find a parking spot. Nonetheless, we did attempt the walk to see the spring. However, we got about 100 yards from our car and once a beautiful sunny day, it started raining and hailing small ice pellets on us! So, we headed back to the car, soaked through to the skin. I am sure it is beautiful to see, but be sure to be ready to walk distances to get close to any of the major geysers in the park except Old Faithful. And have an umbrella in the car.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written September 28, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

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Excellent
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Xinyi Sun
Snellville, GA29 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Family
THIS Views is AMAZING ... It was the MOST BEAUTIFULEST THINGS EVER
in REALITY !!

DO NOT TOUCHED the Rocks !!
Written October 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kirbykirby
Junction City, KS75 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Friends
You need a bright and sunny day to fully appreciate this. We did not get it but we still enjoyed seeing it. There is a boardwalk that you can walk up and get to see it from a birdeyes point of view. Its about a quarter mile walk.
Written October 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

barb777
Chicago, IL144 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
We had no idea that it was quite a distance to actually see the prismatic spring. There is no signage until you get to the trail you have to take, unfortunately. It would be helpful to list the distances in the park information from the parking lot to the actual viewing, so you could choose which attractions to see before you make a point of driving there and trying to find a parking spot. Nonetheless, we did attempt the walk to see the spring. However, we got about 100 yards from our car and once a beautiful sunny day, it started raining and hailing small ice pellets on us! So, we headed back to the car, soaked through to the skin. I am sure it is beautiful to see, but be sure to be ready to walk distances to get close to any of the major geysers in the park except Old Faithful. And have an umbrella in the car.
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

seema60
Toronto, Canada910 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Friends
We went to this group of geysers which also includes the Excelsior geyser. This is an amazing area to see. The grand prismatic is difficult to see from this viewpoint. I saw people at a higher viewpoint but I couldn’t make my way there. But it’s a beautiful area of geothermal activity
Written September 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CanuckAlberta
Alberta605 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Couples
Grand Prismatic Springs is a must see if visiting Yellowstone, especially if you are looking for more accessible activities. The parking lot was full when we arrived at 10AM so we had to park on the side of the highway which was not an issue for us. We did not find it overcrowded as the people are dispersed around the .5mile boardwalk. Even though it was a cool/cloudy day the colors were amazing, I can only imagine what it would look like on a sunny day. Because it was cool, which creates more steam and limits visibility, we did not hike up to the overlook.
Written September 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

thehungryexpat2015
269 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Family
This is the most amazing, unreal place I have ever been too. It is totally worth it to do the 2 mile hike to the view point also. Take your time and take many photos.

The colors are just amazing.
Written September 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gretz
8 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Family
If you have the time, I would recommend taking the longer hike to an upper viewing area, so that you’re looking down at the springs. We walked the boardwalk area that puts you right next to the springs. This was amazing, but also hard to get a full view of how large these springs are. The contrast in colors was incredible.
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MyBucketListTrips
242 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
Park Service needs to implement timed entry like Rocky Mountain NP. Traffic jams in both directions, parking along both sides of the road for a mile in each direction. When we finally got to the pools, there was so much steam over each one that we could only faintly see blue at the edge. Walk ways are slippery and kids were running and pushing people out of the way. Some parents tried to control their kids. Many did not. No park rangers anywhere to control foot traffic either. Extremely disappointed.
Written August 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe Alejo
South Lake Tahoe, CA242 contributions
Jul. 2023
the colors...the sounds...the sensations...the wildlife...it IS worth the stop...whether one opts to hike or just was down below...no visit to Yellowstone NP would be complete without taking a peek
Written July 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

varneykr
Hancock, NH483 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
This was my favorite of all the things we saw in Yellowstone. It is a must see. Just another reminder to walk single file on the boardwalk and also bring bear spray.
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Grand Prismatic Spring