Yellowstone: Hell's Half Acre

Yellowstone National Park is home to 10,000 thermal features. Some are found like hidden gems buried deep in the back country while other thermal treasures are found along the Grand Loop Road – like Midway Geyser Basin. Within this small basin lies the most intensely-colored jewel of them all. It’s one of the Park’s most iconic and photographed features …

This is a continuing series of blog posts on Yellowstone National Park. I’ve already shared information about some of Yellowstone’s geyser basins (a link about many of them follows this post). Today, we are heading to the Midway Geyser Basin which is considered part of the Lower Geyser Basin. We will be walking the boardwalk trail in a clock-wise direction. This easy 8/10’s of a mile loop trail is a popular spot. We call it a “filler hike” because short walks are what we do when we have small pockets of time between other activities.

Midway Geyser Basin & Firehole River

Midway is aptly named because it is located half-way between the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins. It is on the west side of the Grand Loop Road a short distance north of the Old Faithful area.

NPS Map

Midway may be a small geyser basin but it has two of the largest thermal features in Yellowstone – Excelsior Geyser Crater and Grand Prismatic Spring. While it was named Midway Geyser Basin in 1878, it was known by another popular name - “Hell’s Half Acre”.

Exhibit Map

In the 1880’s Excelsior Geyser had eruptions up to 300 feet high and 300 feet wide.  Can you imagine how those early explorers felt when the ground started shaking under their feet and they heard the rumbling noises coming from the bowels of the earth? It’s no wonder someone thought all hell was breaking loose here. It was named in 1881 by the Park’s Superintendent. “Excelsior” is the Latin word for “higher”. Once it was the world’s largest geyser. Today, Excelsior’s gaping crater (276’x328’) emits billowing clouds of steam but shows little to no signs of activity.   

 Excelsior Geyser Crater

We begin walking toward Grand Prismatic Spring. Across the way, I see people silhouetted against the steamy background with their shadows reflecting in the pools of water.

Grand Prismatic Spring (250’x380’ and 125’ deep) is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone and the third largest in the world (New Zealand has the other two springs). The spring’s brilliant colors were the inspiration for its name. It’s easy to see why the iconic Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the Park’s most photographed landscapes.

 Grand Prismatic Spring

Close-Up of Run-Off - Grand Prismatic Spring

So, here’s the scoop on Grand Prismatic Spring. You can not see or appreciate its size and beauty from ground level. To truly view its grandeur, you need to take a hike. Begin at the Midway Geyser Basin parking lot and follow the Fairy Falls trail. In less than a mile, you will turn onto the recently established side trail up the hillside to an observation area. We did this side trail up the hillside during our hike to Fairy Falls in 2010. The above photo was taken from that vantage point.

We continue walking around the boardwalk trail to Opal Pool. I can’t find any information about this pool (size or how it got its name). Maybe my next visit to Yellowstone I can ask a Park Ranger at a Visitor Center. If I find any information, I will add it to this post.   

Opal Pool

The last major thermal feature in the Midway Geyser Basin is Turquoise Pool (100’x110’). The 1878 Hayden Expedition named this pool for its gem-like, blue-colored water.

Turquoise Pool

No matter how many times I visit Yellowstone, I never get tired of seeing its ever-changing scenery. I invite you to view my other blog posts on Yellowstone National Park by clicking on the following links:

Yellowstone: A to Z

Introduction to Yellowstone: Basic Park Highlights

Yellowstone: A Geyser Gazers Guide to the Upper Geyser Basin

Yellowstone: It's Cookin' in the Biscuit Basin

Yellowstone: Touring the Black Sand Basin

Backpacking Yellowstone: Quiet Wild Moments

Yellowstone: A Ton of Fun at the Canyon
Hiking Yellowstone: Fairy Falls & Imperial Geyser
Yellowstone Scenic Drive: Firehole Canyon

Yellowstone Scenic Drive: Firehole Lake

Yellowstone: Fountain Paint Pot Nature Trail

Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs are Really Cool (Upper Terraces)

Yellowstone: Mammoth Hot Springs Are Really Cool (Lower Terraces)

Yellowstone: Fountain Flat Drive & Beyond

Hiking Yellowstone: Monument Geyser Basin

Yellowstone: Mud Volcano - Stop and Smell the...Sulfur?
Hiking Yellowstone: NW Corner - More Space; Less Crowded

Norris Geyser Basin: Back Basin - Some Like It Hot

Norris Geyser Basin: Porcelain Basin - Some Like It Hot
West Thumb Geyser Basin: Two Thumbs Up

Whatta Falls - Waterfalls in Yellowstone NP

Planning a visit to Yellowstone? Food and lodging options are available inside the park and in towns just outside the park (West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cooke City/Silver Gate – all located in Montana). I highly recommend making lodging reservations in advance. Yellowstone is a popular destination and “No Vacancy” signs are common especially during the peak summer months. Since opinions, preferences, and budgets vary, I suggest checking a trusted travel source for current reviews.

My best advice is this - don’t just drive through Yellowstone – experience it!

The National Park Service has created a series of short videos titled “Inside Yellowstone”. It’s a fast and fun way to learn about the Park. Click on the following link to begin this Yellowstone experience.   

Inside Yellowstone: A Series of Short Videos

Family vacations created some of my favorite memories. To start planning your memorable trip to Yellowstone, please click on the following link:

Plan Your Visit: Yellowstone NP