Sight Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful
A sight in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Early morning.
Why go
Yellowstone's best-known geyser, erupting roughly every 60–110 minutes.
It is one of 10 curated places we feature in Yellowstone National Park, alongside 4 sights, 3 activities and 1 place for a drink. 4 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Old Faithful and Bear Pit Lounge.
- Type
- Sight · Nature
- Neighborhood
- Upper Geyser Basin
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Early morning
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Yellowstone National Park. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Old 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 · 0.0 mi straight-line - 2Bear Pit Lounge
Small bar off the Old Faithful Inn dining room with historic etched-glass panels.
Drinks · 0.2 mi straight-line - 3Old Faithful Inn
1904 log hotel with a seven-story lobby and stone fireplace, open to all visitors.
Sight · 0.2 mi straight-line - 4Old 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 · 0.3 mi straight-line - 5Fairy Falls Trail Grand Prismatic Overlook
Short climb to a raised platform above Grand Prismatic Spring for the full color rings.
Activity · 3.8 mi straight-line - 6Grand 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 · 4.5 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Old Faithful is a stop on our Glacier to Yellowstone route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More sights to see in Yellowstone National Park
3 more curated sights in Yellowstone National Park. See the full Yellowstone National Park guide.
-
Norris Geyser Basin
The park's hottest, most acidic basin, home to Steamboat, the world's tallest active geyser.
-
Artist Point
Classic viewpoint of the Lower Falls and the yellow walls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
-
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Travertine terraces built by hot springs, with boardwalks and elk around the village.
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 Old Faithful itself, we suggest: Early 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 Old Faithful, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Address
- Old Faithful Geyser, Wyoming 82190, USA
- Coordinates
- 44.46047, -110.82813
- Destination
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Website
- nps.gov
Old Faithful: quick answers
How much time do you need at Old Faithful?
Plan on about an hour at Old Faithful. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Old Faithful?
Our pick: Early morning. Insider tip: Check predicted eruption times at the visitor center or NPS app.
Is Old Faithful free?
Yes, we list Old Faithful as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Where is Old Faithful?
Old Faithful is at Old Faithful Geyser, Wyoming 82190, USA, in Upper Geyser Basin. The Google Maps and Apple Maps links on this page open it for directions.
Which TripsCircle routes include Old Faithful?
Old Faithful appears on Glacier to Yellowstone, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Old Faithful 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.
Plan Yellowstone National Park
- Yellowstone National Park travel guide 10 places
- Best time to visit Yellowstone National Park weather by month
- Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park 44 mi straight-line
- Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park 336 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Yellowstone National Park
- Hayden Valley Activity
- Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room Food
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.