Excelsior Geyser Crater is a vast, steaming hot spring in Midway Geyser Basin, off Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190; this natural landmark has no numbered street address. Once a powerful geyser with eruptions reaching approximately 300 feet during the 1880s, it now draws travelers for intensely blue water, rugged crater walls, and thermal runoff pouring toward the Firehole River. It shares a short boardwalk circuit with Grand Prismatic Spring.
What to Expect at Excelsior Geyser Crater
The crater measures approximately 200 by 300 feet, a scale best appreciated when wind briefly clears its steam. Historic eruptions helped excavate this broad, irregular opening. Although usually encountered as a continuously overflowing pool, Excelsior is not extinct: it erupted again in 1985 after decades of relative quiet. There is no predictable eruption schedule, so visit for the pool and its extraordinary discharge rather than an anticipated geyser performance.
Excelsior releases more than 4,000 gallons of hot water per minute into the Firehole River. You can see the steaming runoff near the footbridge before following the boardwalk uphill to the crater. The roughly 0.8-mile Midway loop continues past Grand Prismatic Spring, Turquoise Pool, and Opal Pool. Mineral deposits, heat-loving microorganisms, and changing water conditions produce different colors around the basin, while wind can alternately reveal the pools or envelop the walkway in mist.
- Blue crater pool: A broad thermal basin framed by broken, pale rock walls rather than a narrow geyser cone.
- Firehole River runoff: Steaming cascades make the spring’s enormous water output visible beside the approach bridge.
- Historic eruption landscape: The crater records the force of nineteenth-century geyser activity and the unexpected 1985 reawakening.
- Grand Prismatic Spring: Yellowstone’s largest hot spring lies farther along the same boardwalk, with extensive orange microbial margins.
- Turquoise and Opal pools: Two smaller thermal features add contrasting colors and shapes to the compact basin circuit.
Excelsior Geyser Crater at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Midway Geyser Basin, Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Lower Grand Loop, between Madison and Old Faithful |
| Operating Hours | Monday–Sunday: open 24 hours when access roads are open; seasonal closures apply |
| Admission / Price Range | Paid Yellowstone entrance; no separate crater ticket. $ attraction once inside the park |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | No regular public transit; Midway Geyser Basin parking lot beside Grand Loop Road |
| Official Website & Phone | Yellowstone National Park; +1 307-344-7381 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive early for a better chance of finding parking, especially in July and August; midday often brings queues at the small lot. Cool mornings can produce thick steam, while warmer afternoon conditions sometimes reveal more of the water. Drive Grand Loop Road to the signed Midway Geyser Basin turnoff. Yellowstone has no regular public bus network connecting its thermal basins. Check official road conditions before departure: this road is not open to ordinary vehicles throughout winter.
Accessible parking and restrooms are available at the trailhead. The route uses a bridge and boardwalks rather than stairs, but the climb from the river has an incline that may require assistance for some wheelchair users; wet decking can also be slippery. Keep strollers on the walkway and hold children’s hands. Thermal crust can conceal scalding water, and pets are prohibited on thermal-area boardwalks. Pair Excelsior with Grand Prismatic Spring, Turquoise Pool, and Opal Pool, all within roughly a 5–15-minute walk along the circuit. The elevated Grand Prismatic overlook requires a separate outing from the Fairy Falls trailhead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours, and when is the best time to visit?
The basin has no daily gate hours, but access depends on seasonal road openings and temporary closures. Choose daylight for safe footing; early arrival favors parking, while warmer conditions can reduce steam.
Do I need a ticket or reservation?
No separate ticket or timed reservation is required for Excelsior Geyser Crater. Yellowstone entrance charges apply; consult the official fees page for current vehicle, individual, and pass rules.
How much time should I allow?
Allow 30–60 minutes for the Midway boardwalk loop, including photographs and the neighboring pools. Parking queues can add substantially to that during summer afternoons.
Is the crater suitable for children and wheelchair users?
The boardwalk route accommodates wheelchairs and strollers, although the uphill approach may require assistance. Children need close supervision throughout: stay on designated surfaces, never touch thermal water, and secure hats against gusts.
When browsing more top-rated attractions in Yellowstone National Park, consider pairing your visit with nearby highlights such as Lookout Point (35.1 km away) and Morning Glory Pool (5.7 km away).
