Old Faithful
Old Faithful
4.5
About
A popular geyser located in the Geyser Country region of Yellowstone National Park.
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  • Rick B
    Round Rock, Texas1,402 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Right on Time!
    Old Faithful is the most predictable geyser at Yellowstone. The Rangers can predict within +/- 10 minutes the time of eruption. We saw it erupt right at the said time. Old Faithful erupts roughly every ninety minutes. Old faithful's eruptions can last 1.5 to 5 minutes, and it gushes water 100-140 feet into the air. The geyser is at Old Faithful Village one of the most developed areas of the park. The ability to see Old Faithful available to all as it is highly accessible and has benches to sit, wait, and watch the eruption.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 September 2023
  • seema60
    Toronto, Canada969 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Must watch Old Faithful when at Yellowstone
    We went to see Old Faithful as our first stop on our three day trip to Yellowstone. It was great fun to sit on the benches on a cold day. We had the ranger come out and give us a little talk on the geyser. Then came the show. We couldn’t see the water spouting too much due to the wind direction. Still worth the wait as none of the other geysers spouted while we were there.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 26 September 2023
  • barb777
    Chicago, Illinois143 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Easiest geyser in the park to see closely. Worth the visit!
    We had heard about Old Faithful since we were kids, so we wanted to see it. It was very cool and did not disappoint! Depending on when you arrive, you can be waiting for quite awhile. Luckily, there is a lot of seating available around the perimeter of the geyser, but it did completely fill up with lots of people having to stand and wait for it to erupt. We were really glad we got there shortly after it had erupted, so we were able to get seats. They are backless benches that seat about 5-6 people each. Once it is over, you can walk over to a store and there are some other things to see right there. They have built up the area around the geyser, so it really is it's own attraction area. Definitely worth a stop, simply because it is the easiest and closest geyser you can get to. Many of the others require walking a much farther distance (1-2 miles roundtrip) to reach them from the parking lot.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 September 2023
  • travelerhugh
    Belleville, Illinois99 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Off Season at Old Faithful
    Short time in Yellowstone on a road trip (SD, WY, MT) to a destination wedding brought us, on a rainy (and snowy) day in September to the east entrance. After going around the lake in the rain and cold, with construction slowing us down, we got to the Old Faithful area just 15 minutes before a scheduled eruption. Crowds were thinner (off season) and the geyser did not disappoint. Parking was not a problem in late September. Saw a wayward bison near the lodge and visitor center! The geyser basin around Old Faithful is well designed for crowds to enjoy this experience. Visited nearby Upper Basin area as well. Fascinating to see the earth's interior "bubbling up" with various kinds of thermal eruptions. Having been in Yellowstone in January and twice in the busy summers, this was a subdued visit. We did not stay at the accommodations in the park nor take time for a meal.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 5 October 2023
  • Jill H
    Ocean City, Maryland128 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Spectacular to experience in person
    Of course you have to stop here! It’s beautiful. If the visitors center is closed the Yellowstone Lodge has the eruptions time posted. If you have time hike the trail that overlooks old faithful for another perspective - this hike is a bit rough in spots. While old faithful is the “star” of this area, the Grand Geyser is in my opinion more spectacular when it erupts. There are benches near the Grand Geyser.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 October 2023
  • jehenson81
    Washington DC, District of Columbia24,923 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Rained On
    I was exceptionally lucky that I got to see Old Faithful erupt twice when I was at the upper geyser basin. And I got rained on both times. The predicted times are really accurate and it is so impressive to see water shoot so high in the air on such a regular basis. I was able to get video, numerous photos and a handful of selfies because I saw it twice. I will say that it was rather steamy since it was cold out but it didn’t take away from the awesomeness of the display.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 21 April 2024
  • SwonQonDoi
    Boston, Massachusetts405 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Old Faithful @ Yellowstone National Park
    The first spot we thought about when planning our Yellowstone trip was Old Faithful, one of the most iconic and well-known features in Yellowstone National Park. Old Faithful is famous for its predictable eruptions, which occur approximately every 60 to 110 minutes, making it a reliable attraction for visitors. Watching it was like seeing a natural fountain, with eruptions lasting between 1.5 to 5 minutes and reaching heights of 106 to 184 feet (32 to 56 meters). Old Faithful’s eruptions are powered by geothermal activity beneath the Earth's surface. Water seeps into the ground, is heated by magma, and eventually builds up pressure that is released in an eruption. There is an information center where visitors can learn about Old Faithful, which was the first geyser in the park to receive a name. It has been a major draw for tourists since the establishment of the park in 1872, playing a crucial role in the early development of Yellowstone as a tourist destination. Designated viewing areas around Old Faithful, including boardwalks and benches, provide safe and optimal viewing spots. There weren’t just eruptions in the area; there were also many beautiful geysers, rivers, and basins along the boardwalk, allowing visitors to explore as well. We spent hours exploring the area, and it was clear why Old Faithful remains one of Yellowstone National Park’s most beloved and enduring attractions.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 May 2024
  • Jacey G
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth It!
    It was surprisingly easy to get a good view of the geyser. We expected it to be crowded, but when we got there, there was plenty of space to sit down on the deck or on one of the benches. While waiting for the geyser to go off, we took a little walk through some trees and over some thermal activity. Seeing this geyser is a must-do at Yellowstone!
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 16 June 2024
  • Steve-O555111
    163 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Best geyser in Yellowstone
    Old Faithful geyser is a must while in Yellowstone. Easy viewing platform with predictable schedule. Park does a great job letting you know when to be there for best experience. Even though it is busy, always can find seating to enjoy the show.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 June 2024
  • Emma L
    21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Show Up Early, Worth the Wait
    We showed up early during peak tourist season, and the crowd wasn't bad. We were able to get a seat in the front row which was nice. The walking trails are well maintained. There are shops, restaurants, and restrooms. It is easy to spend a few hours in the area.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles5 095 reviews
Excellent
3 250
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1 305
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454
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71
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George T
Mount Laurel, NJ397 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021
The geyser goes off every 90 minutes or so, but the times for estimated activity are posted. People will tightly congregate for the last 20 minutes before it goes off. If you are a small person, squeeze through the crowd and sit down. The area is very commercialized and full of Inns and Services. Lots of parking.
Written 27 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gypsyuno
Albuquerque, NM1 079 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2019
Given all the hype surrounding Old Faithful, it would be surprising if it truly lived up to its reputation. In my opinion, it did not. It is an impressive geyser but, at least when we saw it erupt, the plume was not as big as some photos I have seen. Still, it is a big geyser and the big plus is the fact it is predictable and accessible. We saw it on a sunny morning with about 300 other people in early September. It was easy to get to and easy to view. Impressive, but frankly not awe inspiring.
Written 22 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Annie H
6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
Because it's the most famous geyser, most people have super high expectations of this geothermal feature of Yellowstone. Since I had heard it was "just ok," I went in expecting "not much" and instead LOVED IT! It's astounding to think that every 75-90 for YEARS, this geyser has spurted 8,000 gallons of water over 100 feet in the air! I thought it was absolutely amazing, and I am so happy that my family and I got to witness it. We heard the first eruption of the morning was at 9:17, so we arrived around 10:15, and someone in the crowd told us the next eruption was estimated at 10:54. We secured a place on the boardwalk for our party of nine (most of the seating was taken), and waited. It was pretty hot that day and there is no shade here. Make sure to take water and a few smart people had umbrellas. There was quite a crowd, but we packed lunch so we wouldn't have to fight the throngs of people. The thing is... after you watch Old Faithful, you can walk Upper Geyser Basin to see multiple features! If you walk the entire two miles, you can witness the awesome Morning Glory! Just be prepared with water and grit to take this walk there and back. It was worth it, but I'm not sure everyone in our party was mentally prepared for it. I loved every single site, and we got to see another geyser in the basin erupt as well. Highly recommend to put on your patient panties and just take your time! Unforgettable!
Written 26 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trey G
Muldrow, OK106 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Family
Old Faithful is the poster child of Yellowstone. It erupts every 1 1/2 to two hours. There is not much shade so remember the sunscreen. There are plenty of places to view the eruption. The eruption is also very quiet, not loud like you might expect. Because it is the most popular spot, expect a lot of people and long lines for food and at the gift shops. At this time they are still using some Covid protocols making lines even longer.
Written 11 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Loca_Lisa
Meridian, ID1 670 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Couples
While the eruption times are getting farther between, It's a must see if you go to Yellowstone and the highlight of most everybody's trip. We waited almost an hour and a 1/2 for it to go off, but I got a good 2 minute video of the eruption. There were several Bison around the geyser so many park rangers had to be around to keep everyone at least 25 feet away. The eruption was amazing, shooting several hundred feet into the air at it peak. There is a restaurant, bathrooms and a visitors center on the grounds to get more information and maps of the park. During peak times of the day, parking hard be hard to find so get there early.
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nyormirror
Bay City, MI2 049 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
Watching Old Faithful Geyser erupt is a Yellowstone National Park tradition. People from all over the world have journeyed here to watch this famous geyser. The park’s wildlife and scenery might be as well-known today, but it was the unique thermal features like Old Faithful Geyser that inspired the establishment of Yellowstone as the world’s first national park in 1872.

Old Faithful is one of nearly 500 geysers in Yellowstone and one of six that park rangers currently predict. It is uncommon to be able to predict geyser eruptions with regularity and Old Faithful has lived up to its name, only lengthening the time between eruptions by about 30 minutes in the last 30 years.

Old Faithful erupts about every 90 minutes now give it take 10 minutes they say. During peak season you should arrive about an hour before to get a good seat or viewing spot. We saw the last daylight eruption that was projected for 8:01pm but went at 7:43pm.

The eruption lasts between 1 1/2 minutes to 5 minutes. Ours lasted 3:43.

Unfortunately we had a 2 hours drive back to Gardiner so we could not check out the rest of the thermal activity the basin had to offer.

Huge parking lot. WiFi, yes I said WiFi. Restrooms. Some wearing masks, few social distancing because of the crowds. If you don’t want to be near someone I would recommend skipping this one. Otherwise, enjoy and check it off your bucket list.
Written 10 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bacong Family
Los Angeles, CA842 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2020 • Family
Check the nps website for the prediction times to eruptions for Old Faithful and all the different geysers around. We also did the 2 mile bike route to Morning Glory and discovered other geysers along the way. It was paved and easy to get around. Old Faithful gets really crowded during show time. We decided to stay in the OF lodge on a cabin with one double bed. It was super convenient to end the day here and started early the next morning. We saw OF erupt multiple times because we stayed on site. Loved exploring the area!
Written 11 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

care4many
Kalamazoo, MI230 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Definitely a bucket list item! Need patience to wait however!!! They post times but they are approximate. So many people had waited 30 -40 min and gave up and left and immediately after is when it blew! Don't be one that misses out! So many pictures as not sure "when" it will really blow, is it now? nope! lol. But definitely something to see, just be patient! You will know when it is done! Beautiful park and so much to see! If you don't have a chair to sit while waiting there are plenty of logs to sit on.
Written 21 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Benjamin R
Rexburg, ID620 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
This beautiful geyser is always exciting to see. During our visit there were quite a few people, so we stayed away from the crowd and viewed two eruptions whilst hiking around to the other features nearby. Most people were wearing masks, so I felt pretty safe. The down side is that the visitor center is closed, and there is one main outdoor restroom for the entire place, so there was a wait of about a half hour. We found a one seater near morning glory pool, which was clean and only a minimal wait, but quite a walk west of the Old Faithful visitor's center. Be aware that there is often road work, and traffic congestion this year. I did note an absence of tour buses, but more RV's than usual.
Written 7 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16 947 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2020
This is one of the top attractions in the park, so we had to see it.

It erupts every 90 minutes, +/- 10 to 12 minutes. We checked the sign to see when the next eruption would occur and then used the waiting time to have a quick lunch at the nearby visitor’s center.

I have to say, we were underwhelmed. We expected more.
Written 2 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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