Often the most popular places to visit in Yellowstone National Park are the Fountain Paint Pots and the Mud Volcano. If you want to experience both of these natural wonders, but your time is too limited or the parking lots are packed, Norris Geyser Basin is the way to go. That's why I included it in my list of Underrated Attractions in Yellowstone National Park.
It has several amenities including clean outhouses, a bookstore, and a museum. Last time we visited there were also Park Rangers present to answer visitor questions.
Thre are two loops you can hike depending on your physical ability and time constraints. The Porcelain Basin loop is a short half-mile hike round trip with several beautiful geysers to take in along the way. The Back Basin loop is about two miles round trip with a trail varying from the boardwalk to dirt.
We took the Back Basin loop this time around because my Grandma wanted to see the Steam Boat Geyser which is currently the world's tallest active geyser. This one isn't like Old Faithful though, it could go off every three days or erupt once and not erupt again for fifty years!
There is also Porkchop Geyser whose unique shape came about in the 1980s when it violently erupted flinging rock and debris up to 220 feet away. Thankfully, none of the visitors present were injured. Now it's simply a boiling spring like many of the others you've seen in the park, you would never expect it's explosive history.
Each Mud Pot and Geyser is a new adventure with its own unique qualities and beauty. The smell may make you hold your nose when sulfur is their key ingredient, but your eyes will never want to stop exploring the endless wonders of Yellowstone.
Have you visited Yellowstone National Park? What is your favorite Geyser? Do you like the geysers or the mud pots best?
Thank you, fellow adventurers! You can follow the lilmissbearpaw blog page on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @lilmissbearpaw for sneak peeks into upcoming posts and my adventures. This will also be a great place to share your own adventures!