Yellowstone’s Legendary Geothermal Marvels

Old Faithful steals the show—erupting roughly every 90 minutes. When it blows, a geyser of scalding water shoots over 100 feet into the sky. Crowds gather in awe, cameras ready, to witness history in motion. Nearby, other geothermal celebrities await: Steamboat Geyser, the planet’s tallest active geyser, occasionally spews water more than 300 feet high. It’s unpredictable, making each eruption a legendary event, all just a short drive from Cody, Wy.

Then there’s the Grand Prismatic Spring, nature’s own neon sign. Walk the boardwalk and stare down into a swirl of deep blue water, edged by glowing rings of green, yellow, and orange. Those colors come from heat-loving bacteria thriving at different temperatures. It’s mesmerizing—like watching an otherworldly painting come to life.

Don’t miss North Yellowstone National Park’s Mammoth Hot Springs terraces either. Over centuries, calcium-rich water has carved cascading travertine steps on limestone shelves. In winter, steam drifts off these snowy terraces, creating a scene straight out of a fairytale. Each geothermal hotspot is unique, yet they all share one thing: Yellowstone’s raw power.