Old Faithful is one of the world's most famous geysers, located in Yellowstone National Park's Upper Geyser Basin, and its relatively predictable eruptions since being named by the 1870 Washburn Expedition helped inspire Yellowstone's designation as the world's first national park in 1872. It erupts roughly every 90 minutes (ranging 50-127 minutes), about 20 times a day, sending boiling water 30-55 m (106-184 ft) into the air for 1.5 to 5 minutes at a time. As of July 2026, NPS rangers still forecast eruption times with about 90% accuracy and post predictions at the visitor center, so check the posted time and arrive early. Plan to pair the geyser with a walk through the wider Upper Geyser Basin, home to more than 150 thermal features.
Predicted eruptions: check the posted forecast at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center before you go
Best viewing spot: the semi-circular boardwalk viewing area beside the visitor center; arrive at least 10 minutes early
Nearby geysers: walk to Castle, Grand, Daisy, and Riverside geysers plus hot springs and a mudpot in the same basin
Old Faithful Inn: the 1904 log-and-timber lodge is a National Historic Landmark worth touring on its own
Seasonal contrasts: summer greenery versus steam-and-snow winter eruptions make for very different photos
Good to know
SafetyThermal ground can look solid but hide boiling water under a thin crust; hot springs have injured or killed more visitors than any other feature in the park, so never step off the boardwalk.
SafetyBison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than a human, and have injured more visitors here than any other animal. Stay at least 25 yards (23 m) from bison/elk and 100 yards (91 m) from bears/wolves.
SeasonAt roughly 7,340 ft (2,240 m) elevation, weather can turn cold and stormy even in midsummer. Most park roads close by late October and reopen only in stages from mid-April, with winter access limited to snowcoach or snowmobile — verify current road status before you travel.
RulesStarting January 1, 2026, non-U.S. residents aged 16+ must pay an added $100-per-person surcharge on top of the standard entrance fee (waived with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass) — factor this into your budget and confirm the latest fee before your trip.
RulesParking at Old Faithful fills up fast on summer mornings (May-September); arrive early or late in the day, and note that pets are not allowed on boardwalks or trails.
MannersDo not step over ropes for a closer photo or throw coins, trash, or objects into thermal features — it damages fragile formations and is a punishable offense.
CautionBuy entrance passes only at official NPS entrance stations or via recreation.gov/nps.gov; ignore anyone outside the park selling 'skip-the-line' tickets.
Practical info
The nearest commercial airports are Jackson Hole (JAC), Bozeman (BZN), and Idaho Falls (IDA), each 2-3 hours away by rental car, while the small West Yellowstone Airport (WYS) operates only in the summer season. In-park shuttle service is very limited, so a rental car is effectively required; entrance fees, pass rules, and road-opening dates change over time, so always verify the latest details on the official NPS website before your trip.
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