West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
917 reviews
Excellent
600
Very good
265
Average
47
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Hi-It’s-Me
Boston, MA23 contributions
Jun 2022
Even if you are feeling a bit saturated with geyser basins, I recommend this trip. It’s location next to the lake gives it an otherworldly backdrop that was different than the other basins to the west. Moreover, it is “bite sized“. We hiked the well maintained boardwalk in less than an hour. The crowds were really thin here. I’m not sure if that owes to it’s location or our hour of arrival late in the day. As a bonus we saw some wildlife (elk) near the trail.
Written June 26, 2022
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.
Empty Nesters
Louisville, KY382 contributions
Jun 2020
We stopped at the West Thumb Geyser Basin on our way to the south entrance before we left the park. We were glad that we stopped as this was a very beautiful and unique area where the geysers are right on the edge of yellowstone lake. Worth a quick look around!
Written July 5, 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.
Jenn
Kingwood, TX246 contributions
Jun 2020
This was actual a rare gem to find because this side of the park is hardly used! This area was beautiful. There is no rushed feeling here and it was so quiet that we saw TONS of wildlife here. There is A LOT of construction in the area within the park so be prepared to wait. And there was no WIFI so you can NOT entertain yourself while you wait. :)
Written July 11, 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.
mtscribe
Colorado Springs, CO1,041 contributions
Jul 2020
On an early Saturday morning, we hoping to see wildlife along the route from West Yellowstone entrance to Old Faithful. At first, we were zipping along; nothing but water birds ;) Then, traffic, crawling along and virtually stopped. Ta-Da!! Bison; two male were sauntering along headed south, in the north-bound lane. Great fun! When it was our turn to be near them, we slowed down, and they decided to walk in front of us to the right-shoulder. We tried passing them on the left, but no, they wouldn't have that, and crossed back in front of us. We then tried passing them on the right, and they began "racing" us. A thrill for the little ones!
Written July 29, 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.
TrailTrekker15
Tallahassee, FL5,461 contributions
Sep 2021 • Solo
I took a morning stroll through the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Since this area’s geysers are less active, fewer people were around making it more relaxed. The thermal features are located on the edge of a smaller crater within the large Yellowstone Caldera. It is a also on the edge of Lake Yellowstone. There are a number of gorgeous springs and paintpots along the boardwalks. I highly recommend stopping by here as it really gives you time to enjoy the beautiful scenery with a semblance of solitude.
Written October 16, 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.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16,977 contributions
Sep 2020
This is one of the largest thermal basins and it is especially pretty because it is set along the shore of Yellowstone Lake. Some of the thermal features are actually set in the lake.
Easy access from the boardwalk.
Large parking area.
Easy access from the boardwalk.
Large parking area.
Written October 12, 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.
mtzennmaster
Kapolei, HI1,529 contributions
May 2022
We have been coming to the park for years and years and simply have passed this nice little Geyser Basin on our way to Canyon or to Old Faithful. This trip we were going to Lake and had some time and no agenda so we pulled in and spent about an hour walking among the Geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles of this loop trail adjacent to Yellowstone Lake's West Thumb. On this trip we saw numerous birds and a small group of Elk, including a young bull, with two points per side still in velvet. The geyser along the lakeshore was unique and one you will want to see.
Written May 26, 2022
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.
Kdawg282
Doylestown, PA1,591 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Definitely worth a stop, an easy little hike around the boardwalk to view several springs and geysers around the lake. A much different landscape than the geysers by Old Faithful and the midway area. Worth a trip to soak in the beauty of the lake alone!
Written June 21, 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.
Diana R
Birch Run, MI2,888 contributions
Jun 2021
We visited here recently on our trip to Yellowstone. It's a smaller area but well worth stopping. Its an easy walk around the boardwalk & you see lots of different thermal features, with the beautiful Lake Yellowstone in the background. We both loved it.
Written July 5, 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.
ItchyFeet
Camarillo, CA11,387 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
We were her October 24th , 2022 after the 1st snow of the season and when everything in the park was closed for summer season. Mid geyser basin and upper geyser basin I would say are much more dramatic. There was most likely less colors in the pools since it was not sunny and clear but the touch of snow added to the cold winters feel. If you have the time I’d say go check out this area. It does give you the opportunity to see Yellowstone lake and is the only place to see it with geysers. There was a sign that otters are here in the winter and hang out near the warm pools but we were not lucky to see them.
Written October 29, 2022
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.
Is the road construction done from west thumb to old faithful yet?
Written September 13, 2015
Jolene A
Brigham City, Utah
Is there still a Hamilton Souvenir Shop in West Thumb?
Written June 8, 2015
As a result of a 1998 change in National Park Service policy which eliminated preferences for established businesses in parks, Hamilton's Stores lost the concessions contract in Yellowstone to Delaware North in 2002, and ceased operations. However, there is a Yellowstone Association Park Store at West Thumb.
Written January 8, 2016
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