Grand Prismatic
GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING
Yellowstone NP, WY
Image by Don Metz @ www.donmetzphotography.com
The Grand Prismatic Spring is an iconic thermal feature with vibrant colors created by the bacteria that inhabit the water and form the bacterial mats that surround the spring. The colors vary based on the heat of the water flowing from the spring.
The spring is so large that most photographs people see are from the air where you can get enough height to see the entire spring and surrounding colorful bacterial mats. However, to capture this image you don’t have to leave the ground, you can take a relatively easy hike to a viewpoint perched along the ridge to the west that overlooks the spring.
Photos and location summary by Don Metz.
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as 2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). It’s an easy 3/4 mile walk from the Fairy Falls Trailhead parking lot to the Grand Prismatic viewing area - with less than 200’ of elevation change. The NPS rebuilt what had previously been a social trail into a well-designed trail up to a large viewing platform.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
7,450 Ft. Elevation
View In Google earth
Download KMZ Trail File
Click Here to download the KMZ file for this location.
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to Fairy Falls Trailhead parking lot
The closest community to the Grand Prismatic Springs is the Yellowstone Old Faithful area. From there, travel north on US287 for 4.5 miles until you reach the Fairy Falls Trailhead parking lot. If the main parking lot is full, the NPS has recently built a large gravel parking lot to the southwest about a tenth of a mile away. You can also park along the road, but the wheels must be completely off the asphalt or you will be ticketed.
Walk 3/4 of a mile along the Fountain Flat Drive, which is an old road that used to circle around the Grand Prismatic Spring and Goose Lake and then reconnected to the Grand Loop Road, and cross over the bridge. The old road is flat, well-graded and wide; so it makes for a pleasant stroll. As you approach the Grand Prismatic Spring, which will be on your right, there will be a small trail that veers to the left up the ridgeline. Hike for 200 yds up the stairs cut into the ridge. Please stay on the trail and do not try to cut across the ridge – this creates erosion that comprises the integrity of the trail. A large viewing platform will be at the top with a fantastic and unobstructed view of the spring.
Photography Tips
Warm days and sunny skies are necessary; partly cloudy skies create interesting compositions if you include the horizon and sky to the east.
If the ambient temperature is below 60 degrees or so, the hot water from Grand Prismatic creates surface steam, which will completely cover the beautiful hot spring and prevent you from photographing it. When driving up to the Grand Prismatic, if you see steam over the hot spring, don’t waste your time hiking up to the overlook.
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Mid-morning through the afternoon. Sunshine on the spring is essential to capture the vibrant colors. This photograph does not work well on cloudy days.
Best Time of Year
You can visit the Grand Prismatic anytime you can get to it. Generally, from June (mid-April for the West Entrance) through the first of November, the roads to the Grand Prismatic Springs are open to the public. However, do to the steam factor highlighted below the the best time to photograph the Grand Prismatic is from late June through October.
SPECIAL NOTE: if the ambient temperature below 60 degrees or so, the hot water from Grand Prismatic creates a surface steam which will completely cover the beautiful hot spring and it will prevent you from photographing it. When driving up to the Grand Prismatic, if you see steam over the hot spring, don’t waist your time hiking up to the overlook.
Click here to view the status (including scheduled openings) of park roads in Yellowstone.
Lens(es) Needed
Normal to long telephoto lenses work well depending upon the composition. A normal lens (about 50mm) is enough to capture the entire scene. Medium and long telephoto lenses are great for isolating portions of the spring and the bacterial mats for abstract compositions and to emphasize the colors.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
Once you have paid to get into Yellowstone National Park, there are no permits required.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is northeast @ around 40°.
Equipment Needed
A polarizing filter is recommended to eliminate the sun’s glare on the spring and to enhance the vibrant colors.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
This is a very popular location now that the NPS has built an official trail. The parking lots fill early, so I recommend arriving by 9 am, which is when the sun is up high enough. While the viewing platform is large enough to accommodate at least a dozen people along the rail when it’s crowded people often jostle each other and the tripods. So, watch your equipment carefully and be spatially aware of others.
Weather
Weather in Yellowstone is mild in the late spring, summer, and early fall and bitter in the winter. The weather in Yellowstone is very unpredictable and changes quickly. I usually get the weather from the visitor’s center or at the front desk of the Old Faithful Lodge.
Cell Service
I use Verizon, and there is NO cell service at this location. There is limited cell service at the Old Faithful area.
Lodging & Camping
Camping and lodging at the Old Faithful area is sparse. The closest campground is Madison Junction Campground (17 miles north). It is a nice campground, but it fills up quickly. There are only 3 hotels in Old Faithful and they can be pricey.
Camping - click on the campground below for directions
Madison Junction Campground (17 miles north)
Lodging - click on the lodging below for a TripAdvisor review
Old Faithful Inn – the grand inn build back in 1904
(307) 344-7901
1 Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Old Faithful Lodge Cabins – just a few hundred yards from Old Faithful
(866) 256-9046
Old Faithful Village
Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins – newest and nicest
(307) 344-7311
1000 Old Faithful Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Nearby Restaurants
The Old Faithful area is geared toward tourists and all but one restaurant is tourist food. The only restaurant I will eat at in Old Faithful is the Obsidian Dining Room in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. When you order, stick with the basics: the buffalo burger is usually outstanding and the filet can also be very good.
The adjacent bar is nice and usually has a warm fire going. They also make a great martini.
Nearby Restaurants - click on the restaurant below for yelp review
Obsidian Dining Room
(307) 344-7311
1000 Old Faithful Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Area Guides and Workshops
None