A great hike to a 200 foot waterfall and an off-the-beaten path geyser.
Fairy Falls is an easy 2.5 mile hike along mostly level ground. In addition to the falls, you can choose to continue on a mile or so to a couple of neat geysers that give a more intimate experience than the ones in the major geyser basins. Remember to exercise caution – the water in the thermal feature is extremely hot!
This fabulous hike starts from the parking lot off the Grand Loop Road are just south of the Midway Geyser Basin (home of Grand Prismatic Spring). From the parking area you’ll cross the bridge over the Firehole River on the gravel Fountain Flats Drive. Don’t be dismayed by the throngs of people heading down the road, 90% of them are heading to the overlook to the west of the road for a view of Grand Prismatic Spring. The overlook offers a great view of the spring and I recommend it but if you’re heading out in the morning I’d suggest hitting it on your way back because as the air warms the steam around the spring will dissipate.
About a mile up Fountain Flats Drive the Fairy Falls Trail leaves the road and heads to the left. The falls are about a mile and a half from the road through mostly lodgepole pine forest.
After you’ve had a chance to enjoy Fairy Falls I strongly recommend crossing Fairy Creek and continuing on for a chance to view two geysers. About a half mile after crossing the creek the trail intersects with the Fairy Creek Trail. Take a left (west) on Fairy Creek Trail and in a couple hundred yards you’ll see Spray Geyser on your right. Imperial Geyser is a about a quarter mile further down the trail.
Once you’ve had a chance to enjoy the view, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
For more on camping and hiking in Yellowstone click here.
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