Explore Midway Geyser Basin
Midway Geyser Basin is relatively small, but if you take the walkway around it, there are two really impressive features there that are worth the stop. Probably the most iconic of Yellowstone’s hot springs, and certainly the largest, Grand Prismatic Spring is 370 feet in diameter and more than 121 feet deep. Walking around it is an otherworldly experience as the steam envelops you and the oranges, whites, greens and reds of the feature blend together.
On the same ADA accessible pathway is the Excelsior Geyser, which erupts from a huge crater that is 200 x 300 feet with a consistent flow of more than 4,000 gallons of water per minute. The hot waters flows into the Firehole River and feeds the colorful microbial mats of heat-loving archaea (single-celled, bacteria-like organisms) . This stop is not to be missed!
However, there is another way to see it. If the parking at the basin is full, or you just want to take the trail-less-travelled, stop at the trailhead for Fairy Falls instead. It is just a minute south of Midway by car. If you take this trail, there is an overlook not too far away that looks down on the Grand Prismatic (like in the picture).
Take a look to see if you want to go there: Midway Geyser Basin Web Page.
Need a map? Download the NPS map for Yellowstone.