Lower and Midway Geyser Basins

Lower and Midway Geyser Basins are n. of the Old Faithful area on the main park road. Covering 12 square miles, this area features clusters of thermal features including the Fountain Paint Pots. These boiling pools of red, yellow and brown mud change with the seasons and the water table. The 3-mile Firehole Lake Drive leads to Great Fountain Geyser, which erupts about twice a day from a beautiful travertine terrace. Excelsior Geyser, one of the largest features in the Midway Basin, discharges thousands of gallons of water per minute into the Firehole River.