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Activity Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook

An activity in Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Late morning.

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Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook in Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Photo: Carmona Cadet · Google

Why go

Short climb to a raised platform above Grand Prismatic Spring for the full color rings.

It is one of 10 curated places we feature in Yellowstone National Park, alongside 5 sights, 2 activities and 1 place for a drink. The closest of our other picks is Grand Prismatic Spring, 0.7 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Activity · Nature
Neighborhood
Midway Geyser Basin
Price
Free
Time needed
1 hr
Best time
Late morning

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Yellowstone National Park. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Grand Prismatic Spring

    The largest hot spring in the United States, in Midway Geyser Basin; in winter its steam drifts over the Firehole River.

    Sight · Yellowstone · 0.7 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Old Faithful

    Yellowstone's best-known geyser, erupting roughly every 60–110 minutes.

    Sight · 3.8 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Old Faithful

    Yellowstone's best-known geyser, erupting about every 60 to 110 minutes; in winter the plume of steam towers over the snow.

    Sight · Yellowstone · 3.8 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Old Faithful Inn

    1904 log hotel with a seven-story lobby and stone fireplace, open to all visitors.

    Sight · 3.9 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Bear Pit Lounge

    Small bar off the Old Faithful Inn dining room with historic etched-glass panels.

    Drinks · 3.9 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Old Faithful Snow Lodge

    The main winter lodging in Yellowstone's interior, a short walk from Old Faithful and reached only by snowcoach or snowmobile.

    Stay · Yellowstone · 4.1 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook is a stop on our Glacier to Yellowstone route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More things to do in Yellowstone National Park

2 more curated activities in Yellowstone National Park. See the full Yellowstone National Park guide.

When to go

Average daily highs in Yellowstone National Park run from 19°F in December to 72°F in July; December is usually the wettest month. For Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook itself, we suggest: Late morning.

Modelled monthly averages for Yellowstone National Park from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Full Yellowstone National Park weather by month.

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Address
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA
Coordinates
44.51562, -110.83261
Destination
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook: quick answers

How much time do you need at Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook?

Plan on about an hour at Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook?

Our pick: Late morning. Insider tip: Go late morning on sunny days once steam lifts.

Is Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook free?

Yes, we list Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Where is Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook?

Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook is at Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA, in Midway Geyser Basin. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.

Which TripsCircle routes include Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook?

Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook appears on Glacier to Yellowstone, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add it to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Yellowstone National Park.

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Also in Yellowstone National Park

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.