While it is the number three must-see attraction, it is the first thermal area you should explore during your visit to Yellowstone. Walking the Fountain Paint Pots trail is the easiest way to quickly see and learn about different types of thermal features in the park.

This short and easy 1/2 mile loop trail is located in the Lower Geyser Basin. See a map of the trail here. On the short walk you get to see very good examples of most types of thermal features found in the park. These features include some very pretty hot pools, fumaroles, geysers and probably the best easily accessed mudpots in the park. The area is highly active and at least one geyser is usually erupting here at all times.

An interpretive pamphlet and map is available at the trailhead.

It takes about 1/2 hour to get around this area. The parking lot is small and it can be hard to find a parking space but the sights along the trail are well worth the hassle.

If your time in the park is EXTREMELY limited, I suggest you walk the Fountain Paint Pot Trail and then stop to see Old Faithful erupt. In this way, in a very limited amount of time, you can see a good cross-section of what the park has to offer.

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The picture on this page shows the Fountain Paint Pots. The Picture is from Karen M. Strom's Travels With Daniel.