Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail: A Guide
See Yellowstone National Park’s most colorful hot springs from a great vantage point when you hike the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail.
This easy trail takes hikers across the Firehole River along a portion of the Fairy Falls Trail before climbing to a viewing platform that overlooks the spring.
While the Grand Prismatic Spring boardwalk is an excellent option for those wanting to see the spring upclose, the Overlook Trail truly allows you to see the spring’s incredible colors.
In the hiking guide below, you’ll find everything that you need to know in order to add this short, easy hike to your Yellowstone National Parks itinerary, from parking options to what to expect at every point along the trail.
The view of the Grand Prismatic Spring as seen from the observation tower on the Overlook Trail
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Hike Overview
Trailhead Location: off of Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park’s Midway Geyser Basin
Trail length: approximately 1.4 miles out-and-back
Trail difficulty: easy
Elevation gain: Approximately 200 feet
Getting to Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail and Parking
One of our favorite easy hikes in Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook is a great option for visitors who want a slightly more difficult challenge (and better views!) than the nearby spring boardwalk allows for.
To get here, you’ll need to take Grand Loop Road to the trailhead.
If you’re coming from the south, you’ll pass the exit for Old Faithful, and the turn off for the parking area will be on your left in 19.5 miles.
Wildflowers and the Firehole River near the trailhead
If you’re coming from the Norris Geyser Basin or other points north, the parking lot will be on your right 12 miles south of the intersection of Grand Loop Road and West Entrance Road.
When approaching the parking area this way, you’ll actually pass the Grand Prismatic Spring boardwalk area first, which has a separate parking and access area that isn’t connected to the Overlook Trail.
When you turn into the parking area—which is labeled as Fairy Falls, not the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail—you’ll find about 50 parking areas in the small paved loop.
If those are all filled up, you can try to nab a place on the shoulder of the road, but be sure to follow signs on where it is okay to park.
We’ve found that the parking spots do open up fairly quickly here if you have the patience to circle and wait.
Still, if you want to guarantee a spot, you’ll want to come early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the peak mid-day crowds.
NOTE: There isn’t anywhere to park an RV or travel trailer at this trailhead, so you’ll need to skip this hike if you’re in anything bigger than a Class B.
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Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook Trail, Step-by-Step
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This trail is incredible in more than one way as you’ll get to see many smaller hot springs before the impressive overlook.
You’ll find the first two hot springs practically in the parking lot, as there are 2 medium springs on either side of the 2-lane entrance road off of Grand Loop Road.
Take a look at these from the paved road, but don’t attempt to walk over closer. These spring ecosystems are fragile, plus you don’t want to fall in them as they’re hot (per the name) and acidic.
Then, head over to the trailhead, which is the large, paved area behind the parking loop near the river.
Follow this paved section over the metal and wood footbridge, and continue straight on.
In about 1/10 of a mile, you’ll come to another, smaller hot springs than the ones that were next to the parking area.
Unlike the previous two, this one has an observation area just off of the main trail so that you can see it up close. It’s that brilliant blue that you’ll see in many of the hot springs in Yellowstone.
If you look past this smaller hot spring and back over the Firehole River, you’ll be able to see a handful of other springs on the far bank.
The path at this point is still wide and easy to access, and you could probably bring a stroller or wheelchair along.
Note that there are places that the pavement does transition to gravel with some depressions and uneven areas, so it’s not like you’re walking on a sidewalk for this portion.
In another 1/10 of a mile, you’ll pass a large marshy area to your left, while the outer edges of the Grand Prismatic Spring area will be visible to your right.
The trail climbs
You still won’t be able to see much of the actual colorful spring, so keep going on the trail.
Around 3/10 of a mile beyond the marshy area, you’ll see the turn off from the Fairy Falls Trail onto the much narrower trail to the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook platform.
The trail begins to climb once you make that turn, and this is the only portion of the trail that isn’t super easy or stroller friendly.
The trail here is packed dirt as you wind your way up into the forested hills, and there are some uneven areas thanks to the rocks and roots in the soil.
The trail’s 200 feet of elevation gain largely happens right here at the end, and you go from walking next to the large pine trees to seeing over the top of them in about 1/3 of a mile.
As you ascend, you’ll begin to get glimpses of the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring back to to your right through the trees, but don’t stop here!
You’re almost there!
The trail will make a turn back to the right, and you’ll have one, final incline. Then, you’re at the wooden viewing platform, which requires you to ascend about a half dozen stairs.
It can get crowded up here at peak times, but people are usually thoughtful and try to make room.
You’re above the tree tops here, giving you an uninterrupted view of the mind-blowing colors of the huge spring below you.
On a clear day, you’ll be able to see all of the colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, including blues, greens, yellows, oranges, and rusty reds. (The photos here aren’t photoshopped or edited in any way—the spring’s colors truly are that intense!)
When you’ve gotten all of the photos you’d like, turn around and retrace your steps to the parking area.
NOTE: If you’d like to see more colorful hot springs plus some bubbling mud pots, check out the Artists Paint Pots trail in Yellowstone, 20 miles to the north on Grand Park Loop. While not as big as Grand Prismatic Spring, the features here are different colors, and it’s usually not super crowded.
Tips for Visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook
If you only have time for one Grand Prismatic Spring experience, do this hike.
While the boardwalk for this spring is also fascinating and worth doing, you won’t get to see the full array of colors from ground level.
Getting up above the spring at the observation deck does allow you to appreciate the complete spectrum in the pools below.
Wear comfortable shoes.
While the first part of the hike is easy going, that final ascent to the viewing platform will not be comfortable in flip flops.
Aim for hiking boots, sturdy tennis shoes, hiking sandals, or trail runners for the best experience.
I have Keen Newport H2 hiking sandals and Altra Timp 4 trail runners, both of which have been excellent in all of my adventures in over 2 dozen national parks and hiking in more than 30 states.
Bring water.
While it’s not a terribly long trail, there aren’t any amenities anywhere on the trail or at the trailhead.
The first half of the trail is largely exposed with little tree cover, so you’re in nearly full sun.
Watch the weather.
Yellowstone weather can change in an instant, and, even in the summer, you can feel as if you’re experiencing all four seasons in a day.
The springs are best seen on a sunny, clear day, when the colors are at their most brilliant.
If you’re doing this hike when it’s windy, the spring below may be obscured partially or wholly depending on which way the wind is blowing the steam.
Final Thoughts on the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail in Yellowstone
This trail is one that is NOT to be missed as it offers up what is, in my opinion, the best view of a hot spring in the entire national park.
Because of its overall short length, the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail is an easy add-on to your time at Norris Geyser Basin or nearby Old Faithful. The general easiness of the trail also ensures it’s great for visiting Yellowstone with kids.
Plus, nearly anyone can do this hike, and we’ve seen people of all fitness levels and ages making it to the platform and back.
That last bit of the trail does have a climb, but you’ll be in good company if you need to stop to catch your breath!
Ultimately, this trail is the recommended way to see the full glamour of the incredible Grand Prismatic Spring, and it will be a cornerstone for any trip to Yellowstone.
