Hike with Me: Lone Star Geyser, YNP
Lone Star Geyser erupting in Yellowstone National Park, WY
Yellowstone National Park is home to more than 10,000 thermal features. From bubbly mud pots to explosive geysers there is an endless amount of features to look for. Many thermal features can be easily viewed from the road but even more require a backcountry overnight trip to view.
One of the easier front country attractions to get to is Lone Star Geyser. Located 3.5 miles south of the Old Faithful Geyser Basin this is an easy hike great for any ability level. This geyser erupts 35-40 feet from a 12 foot cone approximately every three hours.
Getting There
The hike begins at the Lone Star Trailhead just south of the Kepler Cascades view point. The parking lot is small so be prepared to park on the road. You also have the option to rent bikes at the Old Faithful Lodge but be prepared to pedal uphill for 3.5 miles to get to the trailhead. The parking lot contains a pit toilet.
The Hike
From the trailhead follow an old forest service road along the Firehole River. This road is paved and great for bikes, strollers or someone looking for a flat hike. After hiking 2.6 miles you will come to the end of the pavement. Park your bikes here (no bikes past the barrier) and take the trail another 200 yards to the viewpoint of the geyser.
When to Go
Since Lone Star Geyser is a little off the beaten trail, eruption predictions are not available online. Your best bet is to pack a lunch and aim to get there around 12. Eruptions occur about every 3 hours. It follows a cycle of minor eruptions, 25-30 min rest and then major eruption. Once you arrive there is a notebook and people write when the last eruption happened. This can help you time how long to hang out and explore the area.
Indicators
Eruptions happen about every 3 hours. Watch for the first minor eruption with water reaching heights of 25 feet for 2-3 minutes. About 25 minutes later the major eruption will start and last 30 minutes.
Fun Facts
Lone Star Geyser has continuous water that splashes out at the bottom of the cone. Over time the minerals in the water cause the cone to grow and the land around the cone to change. Old photos of Lone Star look a lot different than they do today.
