Yellowstone National Park is full of natural wonders, but many of them are dangerous beauties. Thanks to the boardwalks all over the park, visitors can see gorgeous geothermal hot springs, geysers, and hot pots up close, from the safety of a raised path. Here’s a fairytale boardwalk that takes you through one of the most stunning places in the park.

West Geyser Basin is one of the most spectacular places in Yellowstone Park. You'll find it on the west shores of Yellowstone Lake.
Jeff Hartman/Alltrails
Address: Yellowstone National Park, WY, 82190
The basin features many colorful hot springs and you can view them safely from the .6-mile-long boardwalk that circles it.
Lindsey Reynolds/Alltrails
Plan to spend 30 to 60 minutes strolling along this boardwalk. You'll want to have your camera handy to capture photos of the vibrant hot springs and dormant geysers.
Toru Nishihara/Alltrails
The Fishing Cone is a hot spring right in the water on Yellowstone Lake's shores. It was first discovered when Cornelius Hedges was fishing there in 1870. When his fish fell off the line, it darted near the cone and boiled right in the water.
Jeff Hartman/Alltrails
The most famous hot spring in the West Thumb Basin is Abyss Pool. The 53-foot-deep pool is crystal clear, and has a gorgeous azure color, thanks to its minerals and the algae that grows in it. It looks inviting, but its temperatures reach as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pablo/flickr

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The boardwalk trail takes you close enough to these boiling-hot springs to see them up close, and take some incredible photographs.
Lindsey Reynolds/Alltrails
During summer months it can get hot on the boardwalk, so make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Ray Hunter/Alltrails
June through August is high tourist season in Yellowstone National Park, so you certainly won't have the boardwalk to yourself.
NPS
Services near West Thumb Basin open in Mid-May and close by mid-October. For a more quiet, peaceful stroll, visit this boardwalk at the beginning or end of the season.
Toru Nishihara/Alltrails
A visit to Yellowstone's West Thumb Basin is a must-see during your next trip to the park.
NPS

Learn more about West Thumb Geyser Basin Have you strolled along the West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail? Tell us about your adventure in the comments below! Learn more about Abyss Pool in our feature article here.

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