Lone Star Geyser Trail, WY

Overview
The Lone Star Geyser is an easier accessible backcountry geyser that has regular eruptions, about once every three hours. There is a log of activity at the geyser site. The trail is not super exciting, but the scenery is pretty, and seeing a backcountry geyser erupt is worth the Wait!


Hike
Park at the Lone Star Geyser Trailhead, which is right next to the Kepler Cascades in the Old Faithful area of Yellowstone. If the Lone Star parking lot is full, Parking is available at the Kepler Cascade parking lot.The trail is an old road, so it is paved almost the entire way. Bikes are allowed until the geyser basin, which is shortly after the 2-mile mark.

The trail/road goes through the forest and alongside the Firehole River. It is a very scenic area, and very flat. There isn't any shade, as the road is quite wide.

The trail is uneventful, and at just after the 2-mile mark, you enter the geyser basin. The road stops, and the trail continues in the dirt. Lone Star Geyser is labeled, and there is a log where people are encouraged to input the details of any eruptions.

Lone Star erupts every 3 hours, roughly. There is a minor eruption first that is then followed by a major eruption about 20 minutes later. Be sure to wait for the major eruption!! Lone Star does not disappoint!!

There were maybe 20 people or so who stayed to watch the eruption. This is nothing compared to Old Faithful, Castle, or other geysers that are right off the main thoroughfare and have hundreds and hundreds of people surrounding them. It is nice to be able to see a geyser erupt in the backcountry, in relative solitude. If you go early or later instead of midday, there would be a good chance that no one would be there - glorious! Plus, Lone Star puts on a good show, and a long one. Much better than Old Faithful! ?

This is a worthy hike to see a magnificent geyser that is slightly off the beaten path!

2025-07-04 Vashti