Excelsior Geyser Crater
Excelsior Geyser Crater discharges approximately 4,000 gallons per minute at 199 degrees Fahrenheit into the Firehole River, making it one of Yellowstone's most voluminous thermal features. Located just 68 meters from the Grand Loop Road in Midway Geyser Basin at 7,240 feet elevation, this massive crater represents a dormant geyser that once produced the world's largest known eruptions before transitioning to its current hot spring state.
The crater sits adjacent to the Firehole River in Midway Geyser Basin, where its enormous pool measures roughly 200 by 300 feet across. The intense blue of the deep water contrasts with orange and yellow thermophilic bacterial mats at the crater's edges. At 7,240 feet elevation, the site receives 29.5 inches of precipitation and 152 inches of snow annually. Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone's largest hot spring, lies immediately adjacent, creating one of the park's most visually dramatic thermal concentrations.
Yellowstone superintendent P.W. Norris named Excelsior in 1881. The geyser produced spectacular eruptions reaching 300 feet in height during the 1880s, then entered dormancy. Brief eruptive episodes recurred in 1985, but the feature has since returned to hot spring behavior. The transition from geyser to hot spring reflects the dynamic nature of Yellowstone's hydrothermal system, where subsurface conditions shift over time.
Roadside access via boardwalk from pullouts along the Grand Loop Road makes this one of Yellowstone's most accessible major thermal features. The 68-meter walk is paved and wheelchair-accessible. Visit year-round during road-open periods, though winter requires oversnow travel. Morning visits often provide dramatic steam displays in cold air. Big Springs Group Area in Island Park, Idaho, 33.5 kilometers away, offers the nearest reservable camping for groups visiting the region.
Is Excelsior Geyser Crater worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
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Overview Big Springs Group Area is located 22 miles south of West Yellowstone, Montana in beautiful Island Park, Idaho at an approximate elevation of 6,300 feet. Visitors love Island Park for its world-class fishing and outstanding scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.Recreation Big Springs is the headwaters of Henry's Fork and is one of the largest springs in the country. Henry's Fork is considered one of the best fly-fishing streams in the nation. Fishermen cast for rainbow and brook...