The beautiful and oft-photographed hot spring boasts multicolored rings of algae. As the water temperature changes, so does the kind of thermophile living in it, resulting in a rainbow of colors.
Here’s a brief video of steam roiling off the prismatic springs:
A great trail to see Grand Prismatic Springs from is the Fairy Falls Trail. Running 2.5-miles, the trail leaves from Grand Loop Road north of Old Faithful and passes the springs on its way to a 197-foot waterfall.
Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.