Lone Star Geyser Trail

Lone Star Geyser is the best easy hike in the Old Faithful area and the most satisfying way to see a geyser away from the crowds. The trail starts just past the Kepler Cascades parking area, about 3.5 miles south of the Old Faithful overpass, and follows an old, partly paved service road along the upper Firehole River through lodgepole forest and meadows, with little elevation change. After about 2.4 miles, it reaches a small clearing where Lone Star Geyser stands alone: a striking 12-foot cone of sinter built up over centuries, which erupts up to 45 feet roughly every three hours. Because the interval is fairly regular, many hikers time their arrival and settle in to wait, which is part of the pleasure; the quiet clearing, the river nearby and often only a handful of other visitors make it feel like a private geyser show compared with the boardwalks at Old Faithful. Bikes are allowed on the paved portion; cyclists dismount at the end of the asphalt and walk the last few hundred feet, which makes it a superb family bike outing in summer. In winter, a groomed or tracked ski trail takes cross-country skiers to the geyser from the Old Faithful area during the over-snow season, which begins in mid-December; reaching the trailhead then requires a snowcoach or snowmobile to Old Faithful. Note that the area northwest of Old Faithful, including Biscuit Basin and Mystic Falls, has had closures in 2024 and 2026, so check park alerts for bear and thermal closures before any Old Faithful-area hike. Fit: families, outdoors lovers, geyser enthusiasts and winter skiers staying at Old Faithful.

The wait is part of the experience. Lone Star's eruptions often build with smaller preliminary splashing before the main column, and the full event can last for a while, so arriving early in the window and settling on a log at a respectful distance is the way to see it.

Bring snacks, water and patience; if you just miss an eruption, the next is a few hours away, and many families simply enjoy the river and the meadow while they wait. Kepler Cascades, beside the trailhead parking, is worth a quick look on the way in or out.

To hike well, carry bear spray and know how to use it, travel in a group and make noise, as grizzlies use this area. Stay on the trail near the geyser; the surrounding thermal ground is fragile and dangerous. In summer, mosquitoes can be thick near the river early in the season. In winter, check snow conditions and grooming status with the Old Faithful ski shop, start early to fit the short days, and carry layers, water and a headlamp.