Old Faithful
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Old Faithful is a geyser in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. The Washburn Expedition first discovered the geyser in 1870, and even back then, the geyser had frequent, predictable eruptions. Hence, it was named Old Faithful. Yellowstone National Park became the world's first national park just two years after the discovery of Old Faithful. The geyser has erupted more than a million times since 1872. It reaches a maximum height of 180 feet with the average eruption reaching around 130 to 140 feet. Each eruption lasts for one and a half to five minutes. There are around 20 eruptions per day, so you can likely catch multiple eruptions during your visit. Park officials give predictions on when the eruptions will occur.
How to Get There
Yellowstone Airport (WYS), 34.2 miles from Old Faithful, is the closest airport. To get there on public transport, you can take a bus that originates in Bozeman, Montana or from Cody or Jackson in Wyoming. The nearest major cities to the park are Cody, WY and Rexburg, Idaho.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Old Faithful
Visit Old Faithful
Old Faithful is located in the Upper Geyser Basin, the world's most concentrated area of hot springs. There are more than 150 geothermal features in the basin. You'll want to check out the other geysers in the area, including Castle Geyser, Riverside Geyser, Daisy Geyser and Grand Geyser. Other notable attractions are Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Morning Glory Pool.
For a less crowded viewing experience at Old Faithful, schedule your trip before noon or after 6 p.m. Visiting during the winter is another way of experiencing a quieter, less crowded observation of the geyser.
Ticket Information
You need to buy a Yellowstone National Park entrance pass to see Old Faithful. A private vehicle pass costs $35 and remains valid for six days after its start date. When you order a pass online, you can choose the start date. You can have up to 15 passengers in a noncommercial vehicle for a private vehicle pass. Annual passes are available for $70. Military service members and veterans with an ID can obtain a free pass. Those who have a medically determined disability can also get a free pass.
Family-Friendly Options
You can bring a coloring book or another activity to keep your child entertained while you wait for Old Faithful to erupt. Just make sure that you don't let your kid run off the designated path because steam from the geyser is dangerous, and the boardwalks don't have rails.
The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center features kid-friendly exhibits where your little one can learn about the geyser and other fascinating geological features of Yellowstone National Park. You can watch a film 30 minutes before a predicted eruption and 15 minutes after an eruption.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
You'll want to watch Old Faithful erupt from multiple viewpoints in addition to the main boardwalk area. Enjoy another vantage point of Old Faithful's eruption by hiking one of the nearby trails. For an overhead view, hike along the Yellowstone Observation Point Trail. Make sure that you return to the main boardwalk at sunset and night for additional perspectives. The visitor center has a board that is kept updated with the prediction times.
Old Faithful Inn, located by the geyser, is a must-see. This historic building is four stories tall and has an on-site art gallery and gift shop. It showcases a grand rustic construction with open staircases and halls, a stone fireplace, and a 76-foot-tall ceiling in the lobby.
Old Faithful Accommodations
On Site Accommodations
There are on-site accommodations at Old Faithful Inn, which has 329 rooms with some having private bathrooms and others have shared baths. There are on-site restaurants, a bakery and a deli. Some of the rooms have mini refrigerators and coffee makers. Internet and TV aren't available at the inn.
Campgrounds Nearby
Nestled within the serene landscapes of Yellowstone National Park, Indian Creek Campground stands as a tranquil and secluded haven for nature enthusiasts. Situated approximately eight miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs along the route to Norris, this wooded campground boasts an elevation of 7,300 feet (2225 m) and is nestled near the base of the Gallatin Mountains, offering captivating vistas of the majestic Electric Peak. The location provides an ideal setting for those seeking a peaceful escape, with easy access to both fishing and hiking adventures. Within a mile of the campsite, fishing aficionados can explore the fishing access points along the Gardiner River and the nearby creeks, immersing themselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings. Hikers are also spoiled for choice, as the area is adorned with a network of hiking trails within convenient walking distance, beckoning exploration of the untamed wilderness.
Located directly in Yellowstone, along a winding road leading to Dunraven Pass; you can’t really get a more peaceful location than Towerfall Campground. The 31 basic RV sites are first-come, first-served, and each comes equipped with a picnic table and fire pit. While it may not be the fanciest campground around, it’s the perfect place for campers looking to stay as close as possible to the National Park.
If you’re looking for a laid-back, no-frills vacation that lets you “rough it” and connect with ture, Norris Campground may be the place for you. This relaxed campground is located directly in Yellowstone; in fact, it’s one of the most popular campgrounds in the park because of the fantastic central location near the Norris Geyser Basin. RV sites are very limited, though, and are on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan accordingly.
Activities Near Old Faithful
Things to Do
Fishing
Just two miles from Old Faithful, you can go trout fishing at Firehole River. Species of trout that you can catch include rainbow, brook and brown.
Nature watching
You can spot bison, elk and bears at Firehole River. Lamar Valley is another good area for wildlife viewing. You have a chance to see bison, elk, moose, bears and wolves in the valley.
Hiking
Popular trails in the area include Lone Star Geyser Trail, Fairy Falls Trail and Mallard Lake Trail.
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
It's windy at Old Faithful, so you probably don't want to wear a hat. Your hat might blow off into the boiling water or onto an area that's not safe to walk on.
Don't assume that the weather will be hot. It's cold at night, even in the summer, with the average summer lows at around 34 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit. The average summer highs are 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter is cold with the average low ranging from 0 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Safety & Accessibility
You must always keep a safe distance from the thermal features and stay on the designated boardwalk. The water from Old Faithful is 204 degrees, and the steam it creates is 350 degrees. You can get severe burns if you come into contact with the steam or water.
Wheelchair-accessible walkways take you from the parking lot to the Old Faithful viewing area. The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center is also accessible and has a walkway that leads to the geyser. The interactive displays in the education center have audio features for those with vision impairments. You can request audio captions for the films as well. The restaurants, the gift shop and the general store at Old Faithful Inn are accessible. Eight of the rooms at the inn are also accessible. Wheelchair rentals are available at the Old Faithful Medical Clinic.
Conclusion
Watching Old Faithful blast thousands of gallons of water into the air is an iconic experience that you want to check off on your bucket list. It's part of what inspired the formation of the first national park in the U.S. The earth's thermal features change over time, so one day, Old Faithful may, unfortunately, stop erupting. You'll want to make sure that you have the chance to see it in person. With over 400 national park sites across the U.S., you can keep yourself busy exploring the best of the natural beauty that the country is preserving. From geysers to deserts, there is a variety of terrain to explore.
FAQ
Yes, there are many campgrounds near Old Faithful. However, they are around 13 to 20 miles away from the site.
Yes, you can park an RV in the parking area. However, you should note that parking spaces for RVs may be full during the busiest times of the year.
You need to check the regulations of national parks and Old Faithful before visiting. Some of the most important rules are to avoid throwing anything into the thermal waters and swimming in the hot springs. The water can be unsafe to touch.
Children are welcome to visit Old Faithful. However, you need to hold their hand when you're walking around the area to ensure they don't run off the boardwalk onto dangerous ground.
Because of the dangers, pets aren't allowed in thermal areas like Old Faithful. In safer areas of Yellowstone National Park, pets on leashes are allowed.