Fountain Paint Pot Trail - Yellowstone National Park

Fountain Paint Pot Boardwalk in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is home to more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, and this week we are enjoying a wonderful hydrothermal front country hike found inside the park…join me along Fountain Paint Pot Trail.

Clepsydra Geyser along Fountain Paint Pot Trail in Yellowstone

Fountain Paint Pot Trail follows a half mile boardwalk loop located along Grand Loop Road within the Lower Geyser Basin. This area is unique in that it showcases all four types of hydrothermal features found inside the park, including geysers, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles. In fact, a thermophile organism which revolutionized DNA processes (Thermus Aquaticus) was discovered here.

Red Spouter along Fountain Paint Pot Trail in Yellowstone

As you begin this loop you’ll first encounter the Bacterial Mats, which are home to heat-loving thermophiles that form streaks of orange and brown colors here. Many “bobby socks” trees are found along this trail…these lodgepole pine trees have white silicified trunks where silica has hardened the tree bases during periods of shifting thermal activity.

Bacterial Mats along Fountain Paint Pot Trail in Yellowstone

The trails muddy namesake, “Fountain Paint Pot,” is made up of clay minerals and silica particles. The colors here vary throughout the year, as does the thickness of these mudpots. In Spring they can appear thin and watery, but by late Summer the mud can be so thick that bubbles burst up to the trail railing.

Leather Pool along Fountain Paint Pot Trail in Yellowstone

Over a dozen named features are sprinkled along the path here, including Leather Pool, which boasts a beautiful dark surface, and Silex Spring, which is colored with piercing icy blue hues. Fountain Geyser has regular eruptions that last 25 minutes (or more) and shoot up to 50 ft high. Just behind it sits Morning Geyser, which just happens to be one of Yellowstone’s largest geysers…it seldom erupts, but when it does it can tower up to 200 ft high and 100 ft wide.

Silex Spring along Fountain Paint Pot Trail in Yellowstone

Celestine Pool along Fountain Paint Pot Trail in Yellowstone

Clepsydra Geyser splashes up from several vents, and since the Hebgen Lake earthquake in 1959, it has erupted almost constantly. You also pass Red Spouter, Jelly Geyser & Jet Geyser before reaching the final stop on this trail, Celestine Pool, with deep dark blue colors.

Jelly Geyser & Clepsydra Geyser in Yellowstone

Know Before You Go

• Before your visit, I encourage you to learn about and take the Yellowstone Pledge.

• It’s incredibly important to stay on the official trail & boardwalk, not only for your personal safety, but also to protect these fragile formations. Never touch or attempt to enter any of these hydrothermal areas.

• Please remember the Leave No Trace Principles on your visit. It is illegal to collect, remove, deface or destroy any natural objects (plant, animal or mineral) inside Yellowstone National Park.

• Smoking is prohibited in all of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas, and for their safety, pets are not allowed here.

• Toxic gases have been measured in some hydrothermal features…if you feel sick it’s important to leave the location immediately.

• Toilets Can be found at the parking area, and wheelchair users may require assistance a long sections of the Fountain Paint Pot boardwalk.

Top 10 Yellowstone Attractions

Grand Prismatic
Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Lamar Valley
Fountain Paint Pot Trail
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Hayden Valley
Firehole Lake Drive
Mammoth Hot Springs
Gibbon Falls

Clepsydra Geyser & Fountain Geyser in Yellowstone

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

Thanks so much for joining me this week in Yellowstone National Park. For a virtual visit through Fountain Paint Pot Trail, make sure to check out my Behind the Blog YouTube video below. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.

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