Biscuit Basin Loop Walkway Yellowstone National Park Upper Geyser Basin

Biscuit Basin Loop offers a 2/3 of a mile lollipop-loop hike in Yellowstone National Park’s Upper Geyser Basin. Even through the boardwalk is short, there are plenty of hydrothermal features to see. Highlights include colorful hot springs and spurting geysers like Black Opal Pool, Sapphire Pool, Jewel Geyser, Shell Spring, Avoca Spring, Mustard Spring, and Black Pearl Geyser.

A sign at the trailhead describes how this active hydrothermal area got its name:

This thermal basin is particularly volatile, unpredictable. On August 17. 1959, an earthquake recorded at 7.5 on the Richter scale had its epicenter just a few miles to the northwest. Four days later, Sapphire Pool began to erupt violently, blowing away the large rock biscuits around the crater. Biscuit Basin was named for those biscuit-shaped mineral formations.

The pools will likely be calm during your visit, with a few bubbling and steaming springs surrounded by mellow reflective pools that send rippling runoff over vibrant orange bacterial mats.

Start by walking across a wooden bridge over the Firehole River, which is fed by water from Biscuit Basin, and surrounding hydrothermal springs. You will walk straight past Black Opal Pool, Wall Pool, and Sapphire Pool to reach the start of the loop. These beautiful pools are colored by mats of thermophiles, extreme microorganisms that can survive in the hot water running off from the springs. Thermophiles are responsible for the rainbow of shades found in each of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal areas.

Biscuit Basin Yellowstone
Black Opal Pool above the Firehole River in Biscuit Basin

When you get to the loop, you can head left or right. Neither direction is better than the other and you are sure not to get lost. You will pass numerous hydrothermal features on both sides of the boardwalk. Walk slow and take in the surroundings.

Sapphire Pool Biscuit Basin Yellowstone
Sapphire Pool

A trail junction on the far west side of the loop allows for extensions beyond Biscuit Basin toward other Yellowstone attractions like Mystic Falls, Observation Point, Summit Lake, and Fairy Creek Trail. If you only have limited time to check out Upper Geyser Basin, you can see a lot on Biscuit Basin Loop. If you have more time, you can explore the adjoining trails and see even more.

Mustard Spring Biscuit Basin Yellowstone
Mustard Spring

Biscuit Basin Loop is a good 15-minute hike not far from Old Faithful. There is an entrance fee for Yellowstone National Park, but no permit is required to hike through Biscuit Basin. Stay on the boardwalk and do not touch any hydrothermal features (or throw anything in).

To get to the trailhead: From Old Faithful, drive 2.5 miles north on Grand Loop Road (Route 89) and turn left (west) into the parking area for Biscuit Basin. From the other directions, drive 14 miles south of Madison Junction on Grand Loop Road to reach the trailhead. Biscuit Basin is 3.5 miles south of the trailhead for Midway Geyser Basin and 5.5 miles south of the trailhead for Fountain Paint Pot Trail.

Trailhead address: Grand Loop Road (Route 89), Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Trailhead coordinates: 44.485048, -110.85255 (44° 29′ 06.17″N 110° 51′ 09.18″W)

Trail Map
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Elevation Profile
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Photos

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These photos were taken in August of 2011. Click to enlarge.
Nearby Trails
Old Faithful Geyser Old Faithful Geyser
The tall, frequent eruptions of Yellowstone's most famous geyser have been dazzling visitors for over a century and are easy to witness today.
Midway Geyser Basin Midway Geyser Basin
This 0.8 mile walkway passes Excelsior Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot springs in Yellowstone.
Fountain Paint Pot Trail Fountain Paint Pot
This half-mile loop in Lower Geyser Basin passes geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles - all of the hydrothermal features found in Yellowstone.
Artists' Paintpots Trail Artists' Paintpots
This 1.1-mile hike circles a hillside hydrothermal area, passing bursting mudpots, bubbling hot springs, and mesmerizing milky blue pools.
Monument Geyser Basin Monument Geyser Basin
This 2.8-mile hike reaches a rarely visited hydrothermal area that is boardwalk-free and fun to explore.
Back Basin of Norris Geyser Basin Back Basin of Norris Geyser Basin
This loop passes Steamboat Spring, the world's largest geyser, and several other hydrothermal features.
Porcelain Basin of Norris Geyser Basin Porcelain Basin of Norris Geyser Basin
This pair of loops explores a stark basin with an impressive collection of geysers and hot springs.
West Thumb Geyser Basin More trails in Yellowstone
Explore other hikes to waterfalls and hydrothermal hot spots in Yellowstone National Park.
Camping
Yellowstone Campgrounds Yellowstone National Park Campgrounds
There are 12 developed campgrounds with over 2,000 total sites spread throughout Yellowstone.
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Tagged with · Geyser Basins · Hydrothermal · National Parks
Distance: 0.65 miles · Elevation change: 50 feet

2 Comments on Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park

  1. […] At Biscuit Basin you can enjoy views of Black Opal Pool, Jewel Geyser, and several springs but the real beauty is the deep blue hue of Sapphire Pool […]

  2. Barbara Puntar wrote:

    How high (mile wise) is the overlook at Biscuit Basin ? Really did enjoy the climb but feel it was farther than .7 miles!!

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