Lone Star Geyser Erupting
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Lone Star Geyser

4.9
·40 reviews·, United States

A cone geyser erupting up to 40 ft, reached by a scenic 2.5-mile hike along the Firehole River.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Mid-morning

Catch an eruption, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
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Lone Star Geyser Erupting

Lone Star Geyser

Best Time

Mid-morning

Catch an eruption, fewer crowds

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A cone geyser erupting up to 40 ft, reached by a scenic 2.5-mile hike along the Firehole River.

4.9
(40 reviews)

"Worth the wait for the eruption after a beautiful, easy hike along the Firehole River!"

Vertical photo
TIP

Check the Logbook! 📝

Find eruption times logged by previous visitors at the geyser itself. It's your best bet for timing!

Bug Spray is Key 🦟

The trail follows a river, making it a prime spot for mosquitoes. Don't forget to pack some!

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Quick Facts

Rating

4.9 · 40 reviews

Type

Natural Feature

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Lone Star Geyser Eruption

Lone Star Geyser Eruption

Geyser Basin

Witness a powerful eruption reaching up to 40 feet, a rewarding sight after a pleasant hike.

Firehole River Trail

Firehole River Trail

Trailhead to Geyser

Enjoy a scenic, flat hike alongside the beautiful Firehole River, offering peaceful natural beauty.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Everything

Lone Star Geyser erupts roughly every 3 hours. Arrive about 30 minutes before an expected eruption to catch the initial spurts. Check the logbook at the geyser for recent eruption times, as official schedules aren't always posted.

Trail Options & Essentials

Choose between a 2-mile paved trail or a 3-mile route from Old Faithful. Both are relatively flat and follow the Firehole River. Remember bug spray and water, especially during warmer months.

Best Times

When
Mid-morning
Why
Catch an eruption, fewer crowds
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Golden hour light, eruption possible
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Lonestar Geyser, Yellowstone

I've been gleaning wisdom from this sub a long time, so figured I'd give back. Here's a trail report: Now, you can get the basics from alltrails. That's fine. But that app leaves out a lot of the flavor of the actual experience. This one is located near Old Faithfull,…

Check the Logbook! 📝

Find eruption times logged by previous visitors at the geyser itself. It's your best bet for timing!

Bug Spray is Key 🦟

The trail follows a river, making it a prime spot for mosquitoes. Don't forget to pack some!

reddit.com

Lesser known...

I'll be taking my first trip to Yellowstone this summer. Anyone have favorites on the lesser known side of things to do? I'm sure I'll hit most of the regular favorites, but I love going to the hidden gems of National Parks!

reddit.com

Checking into Old Faithful for one night from Jackson, WY. What attractions can I hit while at Old Faithful that require no driving?

* Old Faithful Eruption at Observation Point * Walk Entire Upper Geyser Basin * Grand Prismatic Hot Spring * Lower Geyser Basin Is covering all of this while at Old Faitful for one night realistic?

Paved vs. Scenic Trail 🚶‍♀️

Opt for the 2-mile paved path or the 3-mile route from Old Faithful for different views.

Bring Water & Snacks 💧

Stay hydrated and fueled for the 2.5-mile hike to the geyser and back.

reddit.com

yellowstone advice for foreigner/national park newbie

hello yellowstoners!! non american here, planning to visit yellowstone next month. i will absolutely doing more of my own research, but thought i’d ask for some general advice and stuff here first. we’re planning two days in/around the park, coming from a country that’s very…

Tips

from all over the internet

Check the Logbook! 📝

Find eruption times logged by previous visitors at the geyser itself. It's your best bet for timing!

Bug Spray is Key 🦟

The trail follows a river, making it a prime spot for mosquitoes. Don't forget to pack some!

Paved vs. Scenic Trail 🚶‍♀️

Opt for the 2-mile paved path or the 3-mile route from Old Faithful for different views.

Bring Water & Snacks 💧

Stay hydrated and fueled for the 2.5-mile hike to the geyser and back.

What Travellers Say

4.9
(40 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors find Lone Star Geyser to be a rewarding destination, offering a beautiful hike alongside the Firehole River culminating in a spectacular eruption. The ease of the trail and the unique experience of checking the logbook for eruption times are frequently praised. Some visitors note that timing the eruption can be a challenge if the logbook isn't consulted.

"This is an easy hike, with a great reward. We unfortunately missed the geyser go off by the time we got there, so we waited the 2 hours and explored the surrounding area. Worth the wait!"

Jamie

"Flat trail & parking is easy. 2 trail options, 2 miles (paved and starting from main trailhead) or 3 miles (from old faithful) Easily accessible. Running water, beautiful—bring bug spray! Erupts every ~3 hours. There is log book that people will document what time is last erupted."

Daniel Carlisle Brown, DPT, COMT, OCS

"Eruptions are about every 3 hours, although it starts spurting about a half hour earlier. The trail leading out to it is fairly flat, following the Firehole River. They don't post eruption times for this geyser (at least, not that I saw) and we happened to luck out that it went off about a half hour after we got there. There is a logbook there (at the geyser, not the trailhead) where people who've witnessed an eruption log it so you know if/when to expect it to go off when you get there."

Valerie Pinnette

What People Like

Beautiful river hike
Impressive geyser eruption
Easy, flat trail

What People Dislike

Eruption timing can be tricky

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Lone Star Geyser is accessible via a 2.5-mile hike. You can start from the main trailhead near Old Faithful or take a longer, scenic route from the Old Faithful area itself. The trail is generally flat and follows the Firehole River.

There are two trail options: a 2-mile paved trail starting from the main trailhead, and a slightly longer, unpaved route from Old Faithful. Both offer a pleasant walking experience.

Parking is described as easy at the main trailhead. Given its proximity to Old Faithful, arriving earlier in the day can help secure a spot.

Yes, the paved trail is suitable for biking, offering a quicker way to reach the geyser. This is a popular option for those wanting to cover the distance more rapidly.

The 2-mile paved trail is generally accessible, making it a good option for those with mobility challenges. However, always check current park conditions for any closures or specific accessibility notes.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, there is no specific ticket required for Lone Star Geyser. Entry to Yellowstone National Park requires a park pass, but the geyser itself is free to visit once inside the park.

Lone Star Geyser is accessible year-round during park operating hours. However, the best experience is during daylight hours to enjoy the hike and eruption.

The only fee is the standard Yellowstone National Park entrance fee. The hike itself and viewing the geyser are free once you are inside the park.

While official park tours might not specifically highlight Lone Star Geyser due to its unpredictable schedule, many private tour operators in Yellowstone may include it as part of a broader geyser basin tour.

No, the trail leading to Lone Star Geyser is part of Yellowstone National Park and does not have a separate admission fee beyond the park entrance.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Lone Star Geyser erupts approximately every 3 hours. It begins to spurt about 30 minutes before a full eruption, which can reach up to 40 feet.

There isn't a posted schedule. The best method is to check the logbook located at the geyser itself, where visitors document recent eruption times. This is your most reliable indicator.

The hike is generally described as easy and flat, following the scenic Firehole River. It's a 2.5-mile round trip from the main trailhead.

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and especially bug spray, as mosquitoes can be prevalent near the river. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Restroom facilities are typically available at the trailhead near Old Faithful. There are no facilities directly at the geyser itself, so plan accordingly.

📸 📸 Photography

Late afternoon often provides beautiful golden hour light, enhancing the natural scenery. However, any time you can capture an eruption will be spectacular.

Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion of the water. Consider a tripod for stability, especially in lower light conditions. A wide-angle lens can capture the scale of the eruption and surrounding landscape.

The area around the geyser offers open views. You can also frame shots with the Firehole River or the surrounding landscape in the foreground for added depth.

Maintain a safe distance from the geyser to avoid scalding water and steam. The designated viewing areas provide excellent photographic opportunities without compromising safety.

A telephoto lens can be useful for capturing details of the eruption, while a wide-angle lens is great for landscape shots. A polarizing filter can help manage reflections on the water and enhance colors.

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