Geysers and Pools: Top 11 Things to do Yellowstone’s Old Faithful

As the first national park in the world, Yellowstone is a top U.S. destination with travelers from across the world. Visitors flock to the park for its geothermal features, historic lodges and wildlife viewing. Located in the western corner of Wyoming, Yellowstone is so large it oozes into Idaho and Montana. As one of the top things to do in Yellowstone, visitors should their trip at  Old Faithful. With the geyser and its Inn leading the way, visitors can find lots of other activities in the area, rainbow-colored pools and hissing mud pots. Here are the top 9 things to do at Old Faithful with kids.

Top 11 Things to Do at Old Faithful with Kids

• Visit the Old Faithful  Visitor Education Center

• See Old Faithful Geyser erupt

• Hike to the Morning Glory Pool

• Walk through Biscuit Basin to see Sapphire Pool

• Rent a Bike and Explore

• Take a Guided Tour

• See Grand Prismatic Spring

• Walk through Old Faithful Inn

• Spot an animal

• Have a huckleberry ice cream cone at Yellowstone General Store

• Earn a Junior Ranger Badge or Attend a Ranger Program at the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center

Yellowstone  at a Glance

Why Visit Old Faithful in Yellowstone

In 1872, the Old Faithful area prompted the creation of the world’s first national park. Three powerful eruptions over the last two million years have created Yellowstone, home to powerful hydrothermal features and volcanic energy.

Volcanic activity under the surface supercharges the groundwater, giving rise to 500 geysers in Yellowstone National Park, which boasts 60% of the world’s geysers. Only six are predictable enough for park rangers to post a daily eruption schedule. The all-time favorite is Old Faithful geyser, which draws crowds from every corner of the earth.

Old Faithful Geyser might be the star blowing water and steam over a hundred feet into the air. Though 150 geysers are in a one-mile radius in an area called the Upper Geyser Basin. With Magna so close to the surface, the water turns to mist and boils away in the Upper Geyser Basin. 

Nearby basins include Biscuit Basin and Black Sand Basin, which have a parking lot and walking trail from Old Faithful. Midway Basin features the show-stopper Grand Prismatic Spring, another must-see for any trip.

Guide to Yellowstone National Park

Visit the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center

For visitors wanting to learn more, visit the interpretive areas dedicated to the volcanic activity. With a Young Scientist exhibit room, kids can learn about geysers and volcanoes with hands-on models, like a geyser model. It is one of the top things to do at Old Faithful with kids.

The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center hosts free ranger programs throughout the year.

It is located next to Old Faithful Geyser. During the summer season, it is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the year. Closed from November 1 to December 15 and mid-March to mid-April.

See Old Faithful Geyser Erupt

Old Faithful Geyser erupts on average every 90 minutes, though the range can be 50 to 127 minutes. Each eruption lasts at least a minute, sometimes over 5 minutes, and spews at least 3,700 gallons of water over a hundred feet into the air.

The schedule is located in front of the visitor center. If you require a seat, arrive at the viewing platform early. Old Faithful Geyser features a boardwalk and the eruption is visible from the Old Faithful Inn as well. It is one of the top things to do at Old Faithful with kids.

Check out other interesting geothermal features in the Upper Geyser Basin.

• Hot Springs—Pools of hot water in an array of colors
• Mudpots—Hot sulfuric acid breaks down the rock into a smelly clay that bubbles on the surface.
• Fumaroles—A steam vent without a lot of water

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Hiking around Old Faithful

Old Faithful offers several trails perfect for families. Most trails originate from the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center and feature-level grades. It is one of the top things to do at Old Faithful with kids.

Old Faithful Geyser Loop–.7-mile roundtrip

Geyser Hill Loop—1.3-mile roundtrip

Observation Point Loop—2.1-mile roundtrip

Morning Glory Pool—2.8-mile roundtrip

Black Sand Basin—4.0-mile roundtrip

Biscuit Basin Loop—5.2-mile roundtrip

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Biking in the  Old Faithful area

Find dedicated bike trails around Old Faithful. Bikes are allowed on vehicular roads, though use caution. This area is a top destination in Yellowstone with lots of traffic, including motor coach traffic. It is one of the top things to do at Old Faithful with kids.

Old Faithful General Store to Morning Glory Pool Bike Trail—A paved 2-mile roundtrip bike route. 

Lone Star Geyser Bike Trail—A 4.8-mile roundtrip trail to the named geyser.

Fountain Freight Road Bike Trail—A 3-mile roundtrip repurposed gravel bike trail, closed to vehicular traffic. 

Bikes are available for rent at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, which is open from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend. Adults, kids, trailers, bike trains, and helmets are available for rent from one hour to all day. 

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Take a Guided Tour 

The NPS concessionaire Xanterra operates guided tours in Yellowstone National Park, which cover topics of special interest, such as animal viewing and photography. Tours are offered from mid-May to mid-October, and reservations are recommended.

Circle of Fire

This is the signature Yellowstone guided tour. It takes passengers on an 8-hour tour of the park. Adults are $113, and kids (3 to 11) are $56.50.

Firehole Basin

This 4-hour guided tour explores two or more of the geyser basins. Adults are $73, and kids (3 to 11) are $36.50.

Geyser Gazers

During my most recent trip, I took a one-and-a-half-hour guided geyser tour on one of the restored Yellow Coaches. With an evening departure, our experienced guide took our group to the Firehole Basin, an area between Old Faithful and Madison on the west side of the park. Adults are $37, and kids (3 to 11) are $18.50.

Picture Perfect Photo Safari

For those who want to improve their photography skills and see wildlife, this is the tour.  A professional photographer leads it, and it lasts five hours. Adults are $122, and kids (3 to 11) are $61. This tour is in a historic yellow coach.

Twilight on the Firehole

This two-hour guided tour visits the Firehole Basin at twilight. This tour is in a historic yellow coach. Adults are $50, and kids (3 to 11) are $25.

What’s Close by

Old Faithful Geyser is part of the Upper Geyser Basin, though there’s more to see along the Firehole River. It’s a hotbed of geothermal activity in the western portion of Yellowstone National Park.

• Black Sand and Biscuit Basin—Closest to Old Faithful, but you might want to drive.
• Continental Divide— The point that divides the North American watershed runs through Yellowstone National Park. Kids want a photo next to the sign. South of Old Faithful at Craig Pass
• Midway Geyser Basin—See Grand Prismatic Spring, the most photographed pool in Yellowstone. Arrive early or late in the day for the best light and parking. It is one of the top things to do at Old Faithful with kids. The best trail for photos of the Grand Prismatic is Fairy Falls, North of Old Faithful

• Lower Geyser Basin—Drive Firehole Lake Drive to see the Great Fountain Geyser and the Fountain Paint Pot. North of Midway Geyser Basin and Old Faithful.

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Tour Old Faithful Inn

Opening its doors on June 1, 1904, Old Faithful Inn is a symbol of Yellowstone. Built of local forest products, a young architect, Robert Reamer, dreamed up the idea of bringing the forest indoors.

With a whimsical design and hand-crafted details, Old Faithful Inn is an architectural landmark and one of the top notable buildings in the U.S., according to the American Institute of Architects. Kids love the fact that it’s the largest log cabin hotel in the world.

Personally, it’s one of my favorite hotel stays of my career. After enjoying dinner in the rustic log cabin dining room, I sipped a cup of coffee and listened to a violinist fill the seven-story lobby with music. My kids played board games at a card table that dotted the common areas.

If not staying in the Old Faithful Inn, walk through or, better yet, take a free tour. They are offered several times a day, and no reservations are required. Inquire in the lobby for the next tour.

The second floor offers a coffee and cocktail bar. Grab a drink and head to the second-story outside balcony to see Old Faithful Geyser erupt. It is one of the top things to do at Old Faithful with kids.

Review of Old Faithful Inn

Spot Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park

Some visitors enjoy the geothermal features, while others want to see animals. Yellowstone National Park offers some of the best animal viewing in the U.S. It is one of the top things to do at Old Faithful with kids.

I recommend Hayden Valley or Lamar Valley, along the river. The best time to spot animals is dawn and dawn when animals are most active. Check-in with the Park Rangers who know where animals frequent or take a guided tour.

• Bison
• Moose
• Elk
• Grizzly Bear
• Black Bear
• Wolf
• Bighorn Sheep
• Mule Deer
• Coyote
• Pronghorn
• Pika
• Marmot

Bear Safety in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park features two types of bears: black bears and Grizzly bears. Knowing the difference is important since each species uses different behavior.

Park Rangers offer some guidelines to reduce bear encounters:

• Hike in groups of 4 or more.
• Make noise while hiking by wearing bear bells and talking.
• Carry bear spray. Keep it accessible when hiking and know how to use it.
• Keep campsites clean.

Bear spray is advised and can be rented in the park. Visit a visitor center or ranger station for more information.

To learn more, attend a ranger program in Yellowstone National Park. I did, and it’s a great way to learn more about bears. My boys loved the bear programs, and I felt more confident afterward.

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Where to Stay around Old Faithful

Yellowstone National Park offers a range of lodging options, from basic cabins to luxury suites. With nine properties and over 2,000 rooms across Yellowstone, visitors can find the lodging that suits their budget and needs.

• Old Faithful Inn—Built in several stages and offering lodging options from suites to rooms with sinks only.
• Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins—The newest full service hotel in Yellowstone National Park, Snow Lodge offers a range of rooms along with cabins with plumbing and electricity.
• Cabins at Old Faithful Lodge—The log lodge was built in the 1920s. Find cabins with full bathrooms and some with just a sink.

The Old Faithful area doesn’t offer camping. Find the closest camping facilities at Grant Village or Madison.

Where to Eat Around Old Faithful

Old Faithful Inn

Old Faithful Inn’s Dining Room—Have dinner is a log cabin dining room with original furnishings. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with reservations accepted at dinner, though the dress code is casual. Kids menu available.

Bear Paw Deli–Perfect for families with deli-style offerings along with ice cream. Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Mezzanine Bar—Located on the second floor serving coffee and cocktails from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Bear Pit Lounge—Next to the Old Faithful Dining Room, serves bar food and a full bar. Open until midnight.

Old Faithful Lodge

The Cafeteria in Old Faithful Lodge—A cafeteria serving lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Old Faithful Lodge Bake Shop—Grab baked goods, sandwiches and ice cream in the lobby from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Old Faithful Ice Cream Shop–Open from noon to 8 p.m.

The Old Faithful Snow Lodge

Snow Lodge in Old Faithful is the only lodging and dining open year-round in the Old Faithful area.

Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room—Offering breakfast and dinner with seasonal menus and locally sourced ingredients.

Firehole Lounge—Next to the Dining Room, offers a full bar and an appetizer menu.

Geyser Grill offers quick—service options, like burgers and sandwiches. It is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Old Faithful General Store

Old Faithful General Store—An original log structure serves typical family-friendly food, like hamburgers and ice cream, including the popular huckleberry ice cream, one of the top things to do in Old Faithful with kids. Find restrooms and lots of souvenirs and sundries. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Earn a Junior Ranger Badge

The Junior Ranger Program is the go-to program for families to learn more about a National Park Service site. It takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the badges that the Rangers present them with after they complete their booklet.

Kids love Yellowstone, and kids love animals, so buy a Junior Ranger booklet at the nearest bookstore. In Yellowstone, the Junior Ranger booklets are $3, but kids who complete their booklets get a patch. So it’s one of the top things to do at Old Faithful with kids.

Yellowstone National Park divides the Junior Ranger booklet into three age categories, with age-appropriate activities. Kids 4 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 and older each complete as many activities as their age.

Old Faithful Visitor Education Center also offers a Young Scientist Patch Program. Buy the $5 booklet at the visitor center’s gift shop. The visitor center also checks out a pack of equipment needed to conduct experiments. This program is best suited for students spending a couple of days in the Old Faithful Area to finish it. This program is more in-depth than the Junior Ranger Booklet and will require more time, though patches and keychains are rewarded to those who finish.

Try to turn in your Junior Ranger booklet at Yellowstone’s National Park Junior Ranger Station, located near Madison on the west side of the park.

Guide to Junior Ranger Badges 

History of Yellowstone National Park

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the first national park in the world, an idea that has flourished worldwide. Yellowstone’s significance began long before. Approximately two million years ago, a supervolcano erupted in Yellowstone, forming a caldera, or basin. It is located at the center of Yellowstone National Park, measuring 45 miles across, and is now home to the largest concentration of geysers in the world.

The railroad arrived at the northern edge of the park in 1883. Then, the first roads started to bisect the park, allowing visitors more access to the geothermal features and animals. More people meant more buildings, with Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Old Faithful Inn a few of the surviving early lodges.

It was on the western frontier, so the U.S. Army built a fort to enforce the law and chase away poachers. You can see the old Fort Yellowstone at Mammoth Hot Springs.

Yellowstone is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world.

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If It’s Your First Visit

On my first visit to Yellowstone National Park, I made every newbie mistake.

• Didn’t make reservations.
• I camped in the same campground and didn’t move around the park.
• Didn’t research.

When the time came to plan another trip, I wanted to see more of the park. I planned a Grand Tour, much like the first visitors did over 100 years ago.

I started in one area and explored it before relocating to another. It worked out great, minimizing the driving and maximizing the enjoyment.

Top Places to Explore in Yellowstone National Park

Old Faithful isn’t the only thing to see in Yellowstone National Park. Explore the other corners on the park for more family fun.

• Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
• Lake Yellowstone
• Lamar or Hayden Valley
• Mammoth Hot Springs

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Where’s Yellowstone National Park

It’s 320 miles northeast of Salt Lake City. Unless you arrange a tour, you will need a car to explore.

Three major airports serve Yellowstone National Park.

• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)—Bozeman, Montana, offers everything you need to outfit your family for a national park adventure, from food to equipment.
• Jackson Hole Airport (JAC)—The busiest airport in Wyoming is a regional airport. Jackson is a quaint town with an Old West flavor.
• Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Cody, Wyoming, is a regional airport located east of Yellowstone.

Yellowstone National Park offers cafes, general stores and restaurants. Though be prepared to picnic for lunch and grab some snacks and sandwich ingredients in Bozeman or Jackson.

Getting Around Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is open 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. You can use an America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) or purchase a 7-day pass for $35 per vehicle.

Yellowstone National Park offers five entrances.

• North Entrance—Closest entrance for Bozeman, Montana
• Northeast Entrance—Scenic highway to Billings, Montana
• West Entrance—For families that are trying to add to their state count. Enter or exit through the west entrance to add Idaho.
• East Entrance—Scenic highway to Cody, Wyoming
• South Entrance—The busiest entrance and gateway to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, Wyoming

Seasonal closures affect Yellowstone National Park. Only July and August are the months when all roads and facilities are open.

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Know Before You Go

• Stay on the paths and boardwalks in Yellowstone’s geothermal areas.
• Check-in at the Ranger Station to see the approximate geyser eruption times for Old Faithful, Castle and Grand geysers.
• Kids might be sensitive to sulfuric acid smell.
• The Junior Ranger Booklet includes animal spotting activities.