Solitary Geyser, Fountain geyser in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, United States
Solitary Geyser is a fountain geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Its rim consists of white mineral deposits, and vibrant orange and yellow bands of heat-loving microorganisms line the channels where water flows away from the crater.
Before 1914, this was a stable hot spring until water was diverted for a swimming pool, which triggered its transformation into an active geyser. After the original water supply was restored in 1951, eruption activity continued.
The water that erupts here displays vivid colors created by heat-loving microorganisms that thrive in hot water. These visual qualities make it a place where visitors witness nature's most direct and energetic displays.
You can reach this geyser via the Observation Point Loop Trail behind Old Faithful, a walk with clear markings and gentle terrain. Eruptions happen every four to eight minutes, so you will likely see one if you wait a few minutes at the site.
Visitors often miss that this geyser has one of the most reliable eruption schedules among its neighbors, erupting with clockwork regularity. The colorful runoff channels are equally striking and shift in hue depending on the angle and time of day, making each visit slightly different.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
