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Waimangu Volcanic Valley is an incredible hydrothermal area near Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand. Walk down the valley to get close to Frying Pan Lake, a mesmerizing blue pool that is the largest hot spring in the world. Cross a landscape shaped by a volcanic eruption in 1886, passing hydrothermal features and the site of what had been world's tallest geyser. ...Read more.

Norris Geyser Basin is one of Yellowstone's prime hydrothermal areas, found on the west side of the park, several miles north of Old Faithful. Norris Geyser Basin is split into two areas, Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin. Each area has its own set of trails. The Porcelain Basin side of Norris Geyser Basin can be explored on two easy boardwalk loops. ...Read more.

Norris Geyser Basin is home to Steamboat Geyser, the tallest geyser in the world, found on Back Basin Trail. You'll have to get quite lucky to see Steamboat at full strength, as the geyser can go 50 years between major eruptions. Back Basin Trail is a 1.75-mile loop passing numerous hot springs and geysers. You can cut that distance in half by exploiting a shortcut just past Steamboat Geyser. ...Read more.

Yellowstone National Park has several hydrothermal areas, so what makes the Fountain Paint Pot Area worth visiting? For starters, this part of Lower Geyser Basin has all four of the hydrothermal features found in the park (mudpots, geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles) and you can see them all from a compact half-mile long boardwalk loop. While none of the many Fountain Paint Pot Area geysers are as famous as Old Faithful, they erupt so frequently that you are almost guaranteed a great show on your short hike. ...Read more.

If you subscribe to the mantra go big or go home, do not leave Yellowstone without visiting Midway Geyser Basin. The main attraction on this 0.8-mile boardwalk is Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park. The easy loop also passes Excelsior Geyser, a steaming pool of vibrant blue water that isn't far behind in the contest over surface area. ...Read more.

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. ...Read more.