Yellowstone: Old Faithful 6-Mile Hike & Geyser Loop with Lunch

Walk past Old Faithful without fighting the crowds. The six-mile loop that does it

You hike a six-mile loop through Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin, seeing Old Faithful twice and quieter geysers like Grotto and Fountain, with most of the route on dirt trail away from crowds. The guide provides all gear, a picnic lunch, and bear spray, and you avoid the Old Faithful parking lot entirely by starting at Biscuit Basin. Six hours total, moderate fitness required, small group size.

Step-by-step itinerary

Six-mile hike and geyser viewing

• Meet at Biscuit Basin Trailhead
• Hike six-mile loop through Upper Geyser Basin
• See Grotto Geyser from trail
• Follow rugged trail above boardwalks
• View Old Faithful geyser eruptions
• Stop briefly at Old Faithful Inn
• Enjoy picnic lunch near geysers

The experience

What if you could see Old Faithful erupt twice in one morning, and spend most of the day on quiet dirt trail instead of packed boardwalks? That's the shape of this hike. You start at Biscuit Basin Trailhead to sidestep the parking lot chaos at Old Faithful, then loop through the Upper Geyser Basin on a six-mile route that mixes boardwalk sections with rougher ground where you'll see far fewer people. The whole thing takes about six hours, with 500 feet of elevation gain spread across ups and downs that feel manageable if you're used to moving on uneven terrain.

The hike passes Grotto Geyser first (a smaller, weirder thermal feature with smoke pouring out of its crevasses), and then climbs to a ridge above the main boardwalks where you get views of Old Faithful from a distance, plus sightlines across the Yellowstone Caldera itself, the supervolcano crater you're literally standing inside. Your guide times it so you'll see Old Faithful erupt from a couple of different spots as you move through the basin. It goes off every 90 minutes, so the math usually works. You'll also pass Fountain Geyser, one of Yellowstone's lesser-known ones, where eruption timing is less predictable but that's part of what makes it interesting. Along the way you encounter hot springs and colorful pools, and the guide carries bear spray and knows what to do if you cross paths with bison or bears, which happens sometimes, though not every day.

Halfway through, you stop at the Historic Old Faithful Inn, a massive log building from the early 1900s with a fireplace and knobby pine details, mainly to use the restroom and catch your breath. After that it's the second half of the loop back to the trailhead. Your guide provides a hearty picnic lunch partway through (turkey, veggie, or vegan sandwich options, apple, nuts, snacks) eaten next to the geysers themselves. You also get a light breakfast snack and hot coffee or tea before you start, plus trekking poles, binoculars, a backpack if you need one, and bear spray. The guide handles all the gear and the knowledge. You just show up ready to walk.

What’s included

• Your day includes a light breakfast snack and hot coffee, tea, or cocoa before departure.
• a professional guide.
• bear spray, binoculars, trekking poles, and a backpack (if needed).
• a hearty picnic lunch with turkey, veggie, vegan, or gluten-free sandwich options.
• and all instruction on the six-mile loop through the Upper Geyser Basin. A brief restroom stop at the Historic Old Faithful Inn is included midway through the hike.

Information

Lasts 6h, from US$ 182 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 14 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 17 May 20271 departing soon ›

GroupUp to 141 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.1 with pickup ›

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (8 to 80 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Yellowstone Hiking Guides

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin without spending your morning in the parking lot or following crowds on boardwalks: the loop route and early start at Biscuit Basin are what make that possible. Moderate fitness and comfort with six hours of hiking on mixed terrain are what you need to bring.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need my own trekking poles?

No. Trekking poles are provided by Yellowstone Hiking Guides, along with bear spray, binoculars, and a backpack if needed.

Will I definitely see a bear or bison?

Wildlife encounters happen from time to time on the hike, but are not guaranteed. The guide carries bear spray and knows how to respond safely.

What if I'm vegetarian or vegan?

Lunch includes turkey, veggie, and vegan sandwich options. Notify Yellowstone Hiking Guides of any dietary restrictions or allergies when you book.

How close do you get to Old Faithful?

You see Old Faithful from multiple locations throughout the hike, from a distance on the ridge above the basin, and up close as part of the loop. It erupts every 90 minutes, so timing usually allows two viewings.

Is this the only hiking tour of its kind in Yellowstone?

Yes. This is the only regularly offered hiking tour that loops through the Upper Geyser Basin using the Daisy Trailhead route.