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West Thumb Geyser Basin

Yellowstone Park

Yellowstone Park

West Thumb Geyser Basin

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Fishing Cone Geyser at the West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park.

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West Thumb Geyser Basin

We love the West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park because it sits right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake!  In fact, some of the geysers are actually IN Yellowstone Lake, such as Fishing Cone, Big Cone and Lakeshore Geyser.  In the spring, when the water level is at its highest, many of these geysers are submerged under water.  Then as the lake level lowers throughout the summer, these geysers surface above the water level for all to see.  (See West Thumb Map at the bottom of this page.)
 
The West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park rests between Lake Village and Old Faithful, and it is definitely a "Must See" on your journey around the Grand Loop in Yellowstone National Park.  This small geyser basin has hot springs, geysers and bubbling paint pots.  Not only are these hydrothermal features beautiful, but the view of Yellowstone Lake is absolutely spectacular.  We are confident that you will really enjoy your walk around the West Thumb Geyser Basin boardwalk! 
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The color of Black Pool Hot Spring at the West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park is a vivid turqoise blue.

Fishing Cone

One of the most famous geysers in the West Thumb Geyser Basin is Fishing Cone.  In the old days, fisherman would stand on the side of the geyser and fish for cutthroat trout.  When they'd catch one, they'd take it out of the lake still hooked to the line, and plop it right into the Fishing Cone and cook the fish in the boiling water!!!  Now that's awesome!  Of course you aren't allowed to do this nowadays, but what a great fabled story of Yellowstone during the good 'ol days.
The photo to the left is of this famous geyser.  Everytime we visit Fishing Cone Geyser we picture fish being cooked in the cone still attached to the fishing pole! What a classic story from the "good 'ol days" in Yellowstone National Park.

Black Pool and Abyss Pool

Two of our favorite hot springs at the West Thumb Geyser Basin are Black Pool and Abyss Pool.  Black Pool is the color of a brilliant turquoise stone, and the emerald colored Abyss Pool is appropriately named because it's deep and dark.  It's kind of eerie because it appears to be an endless abyss

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Abyss Pool at the West Thumb Geyser Basin is deep, dark and a bit eerie!

Grant Village

Just a few miles to the south of West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park on the main highway is Grant Village.  This area has a visitor center, laundry, showers,  lodge, campground, restaurant, gift shop, gas station, picnic area, boat dock, and post office!

Buffalo

Aside from beautiful hydrothermal features and a gorgeous view of Yellowstone Lake as you walk along the shoreline boardwalk of the West Thumb Geyser Basin, there are also a lot of buffalo in the area as well as elk.  Many times we've actually seen buffalo walking along the boardwalk!  (By the way, buffalo have the right-of-way! LOL)
 
Again, the West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park is a great little geyser basin that doesn't take long to walk through, and you will be thrilled with what you see!  We strongly recommend that you take the time to explore it.
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Buffalo are commonly seen walking on or near the boardwalk!

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Black Pool, West Thumb Geyser BasinYellowstone National Park.

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Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park Map
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