Old Faithful of Yellowstone Will Never Disappoint You.

November 17, 2023 Michele Underwood

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Old Faithful geyser erupting in Yellowstone National Park, sending a plume of steam and water into the air.

Old Faithful is a natural marvel that has captivated visitors to Yellowstone National Park since 1872. As one of the most iconic geysers in the world, Old Faithful is renowned for its predictable and impressive eruptions, spouting scalding water and steam high into the air against the backdrop of the park's stunning wilderness. Situated in the Upper Geyser Basin, this geothermal wonder symbolizes the untamed beauty and geological wonders that define Yellowstone. Its name is a testament to its reliability, as Old Faithful has faithfully performed its awe-inspiring eruptions at regular intervals.

The Geological Wonders of Old Faithful.

Old Faithful is connected to an underground plumbing system where water percolates deep into the Earth, becoming superheated by the intense heat from below. Under extreme pressure in the underground reservoir, this superheated water eventually erupts through the geyser's vent when the pressure becomes too great. The eruption is a dramatic release of tension as the water encounters lower atmospheric pressure at the surface, resulting in the impressive spout of hot water and steam for which Old Faithful is famous.

The Naming of Old Faithful: A Historic Tale.

Old Faithful was named in 1870 by the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition. It was a fantastic sight, as they had seen it for the first time. Nathanial Langford had this to say in 1871:

When to Catch an Eruption: Old Faithful's Schedule.

Old Faithful is known for its regular and predictable eruptions, which occur approximately every 60 to 110 minutes. Old Faithful's eruption schedule is not precisely predictable like clockwork, but it does have a general pattern. The intervals between eruptions typically range from about 60 to 110 minutes. The duration of the eruption itself lasts around 1.5 to 5 minutes. Visitors can check the geyser prediction schedule the park's rangers provided based on recent eruption intervals to get a more accurate estimate of when Old Faithful might erupt. It can get pretty busy around the area once it gets closer. That is always a tell-tale sign. You can also visit the National Parks site to get the latest predictions.

Exploring the Attractions Around Old Faithful

I was shocked to discover that Old Faithful was not the only feature or attraction to see in the area. Beyond Old Faithful are more geothermal features and geyser basins.

Geyser Basins: Explore other nearby geyser basins, such as the Upper Geyser Basin, which is home to various geysers, hot springs, and colorful pools.
Old Faithful Inn: Visit the historic Old Faithful Inn, an iconic lodge known for its rustic architecture. You can explore the interior and enjoy the impressive views of Old Faithful from the inn.
Boardwalks and Trails: Take a stroll on the boardwalks around the Old Faithful area, offering close-up views of thermal features. The Observation Point Trail and Geyser Hill Loop are popular choices. Some you can bike on.
Dining Options: Enjoy a meal at one of the area's dining facilities, such as the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room or the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria.
Shopping: Browse the gift shops in the Old Faithful area for souvenirs, books, and other memorabilia. Don’t forget your passport stamp book and ask them about the special one they don’t put out, which is the original.
Snow Lodge: In winter, consider visiting the Old Faithful Snow Lodge for a unique snowy experience in Yellowstone.
Snow Coach Tours: During winter, explore the park on a guided snow coach tour, providing a different perspective of Yellowstone's winter wonderland. Learn more about the tours here.

We did all of the above except the last two. ;)

Crested Pool in Yellowstone National Park, a vibrant hot spring with blue water and a distinctive crest-like shape.

Must-See Geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin.

If we include Old Faithful as part of the Upper Geyser Basin group, we have 32 unique geothermal features in the Upper Geyser Basin. I was shocked to discover that Old Faithful was not the only feature to see here. You could spend all day here. We did not see them all. You must have your walking legs on to get to them all and plenty of time.

Old Faithful Geyser: The most famous geyser, known for its regular and predictable eruptions, sending water and steam into the air.

Grand Geyser: One of the tallest geysers erupts in a series of powerful bursts, creating an impressive display.
Riverside Geyser: Located along the Firehole River, it erupts from a pool, casting water across the river and creating a picturesque scene.
Castle Geyser: Recognizable by its distinctive cone, it erupts with bursts of water and steam.
Daisy Geyser: Known for its regular eruptions and predictable schedule, creating a beautiful display.
Beehive Geyser: Features tall and narrow eruptions resembling a beehive in the Upper Geyser Basin.
Giant Geyser: One of the largest geysers in Yellowstone, with eruptions that can reach impressive heights.
Plume Geyser: Known for its rhythmic pulsations and unique eruptions.
Lion Geyser: Characterized by its roar during eruptions and occasional bursts of water.
Oblong Geyser: Exhibits horizontal bursts of water and steam.
Grotto Geyser: Features a vent that produces steam and occasional eruptions.
Spasmodic Geyser: Erupts sporadically and irregularly, with varying intensities.
Artemisia Geyser: Known for its delicate and intricate eruptions.
Vent Geyser: Features small eruptions from multiple vents.
Economic Geyser: Has a complex series of interconnected vents and eruptions.
Anemone Geyser: Features a vivid blue pool and occasional eruptions.
Lone Star Geyser: Located away from the central basin, it has impressive eruptions and is accessible by trail.
Solitary Geyser: Not as dramatic as Old Faithful but provides a fascinating display.
Grand Geyser Crater Group: A collection of geysers around the Grand Geyser.
Crested Pool: A colorful hot spring with a distinctive crest-like shape.
Turban Geyser: Named for the shape of its cone, it has regular eruptions.
Shield Geyser: Has a shield-shaped sinter cone and erupts with bursts of water.
Artesia Geyser: Features intermittent eruptions and a beautiful surrounding area.
Belgian Pool: A colorful hot spring with intricate microbial mats.
Giantess Geyser: One of the largest geysers, though eruptions are infrequent.
Chinaman Spring: A hot spring with a relatively constant level of activity.
Aurum Geyser: Named for its golden-colored deposits, it has irregular eruptions.
Little Anemone Geyser: A smaller version of Anemone Geyser with a vibrant blue pool.
Jelly Geyser: Features irregular eruptions resembling jelly spurts.
Congress Pool: A hot spring with a deep blue center and orange bacterial mats.
Emerald Pool: A hot spring with striking green and blue colors.
Old Tardy Geyser: Named for its unpredictable and intermittent eruptions.

Castle Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, featuring its recognizable cone shape and erupting with bursts of water and steam.

The Stories Behind Geyser Names

Early explorers, scientists, and park officials named geysers and thermal features in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. Many of these names were assigned during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when the park was explored and mapped.

Collecting Memories: The Passport To Your National Parks.

Within Yellowstone, at the visitor center for the attraction, you can stop in and get your passport stamp. The date will be that day’s date. It is a great and fun way to capture that moment during your visit. You want to ensure you get the passport sticker for that attraction first. Once you have seen the park or attraction, you cancel it with a stamp. The stamps go over the sticker. It is super fun. It is excellent for kids and even adults. They do sell them at most National Parks. What most National Parks don’t have are the stickers.

Tip: A Ranger gave us a bonus, and we are passing that on to you. Old Faithful has a unique stamp they don’t put out on display. Ask the sales clerk at the desk for it. The seal is special.

You can purchase the book and stickers here.

Conclusion

Old Faithful is the center of the Upper Geyser Basin, so this area is number one on our list. It is the most popular of all the attractions. You will see this in the crowds; the parking lot is HUGE. There is also a lot to see and do here. You can spend hours at the Upper Geyser Basin.

Overland Girl