Yellowstone's West Thumb Self-Guided Walking Tour

✓ Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
✓ Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
✓ Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
✓ Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
✓ Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
✓ Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
✓ Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
✓ Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

✗ Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

1. West Thumb Geyser Basin
Welcome to West Thumb Geyser Basin! Yellowstone has 11 such basins but West Thumb has something special: a lakeside view! We’ll get to walk along Yellowstone Lake as we explore this basin. Note: This tour is 0.6 miles long and covers all the essentials of West Thumb in 1-2 hours.
2.
On our right is the Surging Spring. It’s a hot spring that’s 28 feet deep. Can you see the steam coming off it? This pool simmers at 193 degrees Fahrenheit. For context, an extra hot cup of coffee is about 185 degrees!
3.
A little ahead and to our left, we’ll see another hot spring called the Collapsing Pool. But does it collapse? Well, it did once! In 1959, part of that mineral build-up around the edges of this pool collapsed in an earthquake. The unflattering nickname has stuck ever since. Ouch!
4.
That colorful pool on our left is the Thumb Geyser. And it has bacteria to thank for its vibrant appearance! In the mid-1970s, this whole Geyser Basin started becoming less active. The geysers here weren’t erupting as much and the hot springs weren’t quite as hot. Scientists couldn’t explain it. Maybe the pools underground weren’t refilling with rainwater as quickly as they used to? Maybe debris or changes in the rock made it so they heated less intensely? To this day, no one has a concrete answer. But whatever the reason, it’s been good news for the bacteria around here!
5.
This hot spring used to be about 18 feet across with temperatures between 172 and 182 degrees. But in the last 30 years, it has cooled and drained. Where did that water go? Well not too far actually — to The Abyss Pool! We’ll see that pool shortly.
6.
To our right sits Twin Geyser. Let’s look a little closer. Can you see the two vents? That’s where it gets its name! Twin has been known to spit water up 120 feet into the air. The water comes out both vents, but converges to create a single magnificent spray! Unfortunately, it hasn’t erupted since 1999. But that doesn’t mean that won’t change!
7.
Hillside Geyser is off to our right. It used to spit water 70 feet into the air every day! But it hasn’t done that since 2006, possibly due to human interference. Scientists’ philosophy is to do no harm, but visitors here have never had the same perspective. In the 1800s, the army even used Old Faithful to clean their dirty clothes!
8.
Pause here. On our left is Abyss Pool. Feel free to walk to the observation deck to our left for a better look! This hot spring is 53 feet deep, making it one of Yellowstone’s deepest hot springs! Hence the name, of course.
9.
The pool directly to our right is called Black Pool. You’ll probably notice that it’s not black; it’s a beautiful blue! What happened there? Well, before the 1990s, this pool clocked in at around 132 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s really not that hot, and allows for much darker-colored bacteria to thrive. The dark bacteria combined with the depth of this pool at 30 feet made the water look black!
10.
On our left stands the Big Cone Geyser. You can’t miss it! This is the largest geyser in West Thumb, measuring 23 feet in diameter. Its vent is around 30 inches wide. But this geyser is no Old Faithful. Big Cone erupts very rarely, and when it does, it throws water only about a foot into the air. I guess size isn’t everything! On our left stands the Big Cone Geyser. You can’t miss it! This is the largest geyser in West Thumb, measuring 23 feet in diameter. Its vent is around 30 inches wide. But this geyser is no Old Faithful. Big Cone erupts very rarely, and when it does, it throws water only about a foot into the air. I guess size isn’t everything!
11.
To our left is none other than Fishing Cone Geyser. Sometimes it’s submerged under lake water, so look closely. In the mid-1800s, European settlers and explorers used to come out here to fish for their dinners. They’d stand near Fishing Cone with their rods and reels and wait. Something would bite! A trout! The men would reel the fish in, holding steady against the thrashing. But did they bring the fish up to the shore and let it flop around? Of course not! They’d lift their rod right over the Fishing Cone and dip the floppy fish right in. Within minutes, the trout was still and lifeless… and cooked to perfection!
12.
This next geyser on our left is a little harder to spot if you’re visiting in the spring. It’s called Lakeshore Geyser, and it has two vents pretty close to each other. If you’re here in late summer, you’ll probably see them steaming right at the shore. If not, look for two vents right below the water’s surface.
13. Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake covers 136 square miles and sits at 7,732 feet above sea level, making it one of the country’s largest high-elevation lakes. Its average depth is around 139 feet, but its deepest point is around 400 feet.
14.
The linked pools on our right used to be known simply as the Blue Pools. Today, the closer one is Bluebell Pool and the farther one is Seismograph Pool. What changed? Well, a small earthquake hit!

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
• How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
• Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It's perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
• Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
• Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
• Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
• Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
• Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app's features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Retrieving available

Tickets

Yellowstone's West Thumb Self-Guided Walking Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

1. West Thumb Geyser Basin

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13. Yellowstone Lake

14.

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

Retrieving available

Tickets

Yellowstone's West Thumb Self-Guided Walking Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED ⟱

WHAT TO EXPECT ⟱

1. West Thumb Geyser Basin

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13. Yellowstone Lake

14.

ADDITIONAL INFO ⟱

CANCELLATION POLICY ⟱

Partner Resources

How it works

Travel

Insurance

Adventure

Contact

WHAT'S INCLUDED

WHAT TO EXPECT

ADDITIONAL INFO

CANCELLATION POLICY