Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travel Guide

The Yellowstone & Grand Teton Travel Guide is a resource for those planning to tour Yellowstone National Park and/or Grand Teton National Park. The adjacent national parks are typically visited at the same time and offer very different experiences. Yellowstone offers the world's largest concentration of thermal features such as geysers and hot pools. Grand Teton features one of the world's most spectacular mountain ranges. Both parks offer outstanding opportunities to view wildlife.

Using the Interactive Map

Place your mouse pointer on any KEY item or place name on the map. A brief description will appear. Click on the box for a link to detailed information. For easiest use, scroll map to top. Detailed Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Park Map in separate window.

Norris Area

The Norris Area of Yellowstone is noted for the Norris Geyser Basin, the hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of Yellowstone's thermal areas. Few thermal features here are below the boiling point, and they are believed to have existed for over 100,000 years. Features in the basin change daily, with frequent disturbances from seismic activity and water fluctuations. The water is highly acidic at Norris, and there are very rare acid geysers here. One highlight is Steamboat Geyser, the tallest geyser in the world (300 to 400 feet).

There are 2 1/4 miles of boardwalk and dirt trails which access Norris Geyser Basin's Porcelain Basin and Back Basin. One Hundred Springs Plain is an off-trail section of the basin that is very acidic, hollow, and dangerous. Travel is discouraged without the guidance of rangers. The area is connected by a short trail to the Norris Campground so you can get set up in camp and then walk over.

The road from Norris to Madison generally follows the Gibbon River. Brook trout, brown trout, grayling, and rainbow trout are found in the river. The Gibbon River is fly-fishing only below Gibbon Falls, an 84 foot waterfall alongside the road. You need a Yellowstone National Park permit for fishing. See the NPS Official Guide. Look for the turnoff to 60 foot high Virginia Cascades just east of Norris on the road to Canyon Village.

Besides the trails at Norris Geyser Basin, there are other trails ranging from one to 13 miles. A good one is the one mile round trip trail (has one steep hill) to Artist Paint Pots. The thermal area contains some of the most colorful hot springs, mud pots, and small geysers found in the area. A link to the complete list is provided below.

Helpful links

 Interactive Tour & Map of Norris Geyser Basin. Shows trails and all the features. Hot links to descriptions.
 Detailed Map of Norris area.
 Hikes in the Norris area.
 Natural features in Norris area. Includes Norris Geyser Basin, and more.
 Norris Area Trip Planner. Official NPS guide.

Services in area

Nearest Food and Lodging

  Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins. Early May to early October. A variety of accommodations. Motel-style rooms with telephone and bathroom - inexpensive/moderate. Same rooms with no bath - inexpensive. Rustic cabins, no phones, some with bathrooms (others use common bathroom/shower) - inexpensive. Hot tub cabins - expensive. Suite - very expensive. Full services in village. Also, a winter season, December to March (cabins closed), with special packages. See details.

Camping at Norris

 Norris Campground. Mid-May to late September. Located 21 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs, adjacent to Norris Geyser Basin. Medium campground with 100 sites. Flush toilets. Campground away from developed areas. Short walking trail to geyser basin. Good opportunity to tour major site while in camp. Generators 8am-8pm.

 Indian Creek Campground. Early June to mid-September. Located about 10 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs. Smaller campground with 75 sites (ten sites at 40'). Vault toilets. Campground away from developed areas. Many hiking trails, good mountain views. Elk and bison grazing area. Occasional restrictions due to bear activity. Generators not allowed.

Nearest Visitor Center

The Norris Geyser Basin Museum is located 1/4 mile east of Norris Junction just off the Grand Loop Road. and is open late May to late September. Exhibits on geothermal geology, Norris Geyser Basin features, and life in thermal areas. Also, an information center and Yellowstone Association bookstore. The Museum of the National Park Ranger is located at the entrance to the Norris Campground.

Other services in area

Bookstore, picnicking.

Yellowstone National Park Guide Index

• Introduction & Index to Yellowstone National Park
• Mammoth Hot Springs
• Tower Fall & Roosevelt
• Canyon Village & Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Norris Area & Norris Geyer Basin
• Madison Junction
• Old Faithful, Lower & Upper Geyser Basin
• Lake Village, Bridge Bay, & Fishing Bridge
• Grant Village & West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake
• Camping in Yellowstone
• Park Lodging & Travel Services
• Where to View Wildlife
  
  
• Introduction to Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone & Grand Teton Guide Home Page
• Northern Rockies Travel Guide