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Temporary Closure Notice
Last summer, approximately 4,800 feet of trail was closed. In October 2003, all but 1,000 feet of that closure was lifted. Approximately a 1,000-foot segment of trail in the Back Basin of Norris is still closed. The closure begins at Green Dragon and continues to near Pearl Geyser. The closure is clearly marked. The foot trail itself is at boiling temperatures and the potential for a steam explosion is considered to be very high. While predictions can be made for volcanic explosions, steam explosions cannot be predicted. Steamboat and Echinus Geysers and all of Porcelain Basin remain open to the public.

Welcome the Norris Geyser Basin Online Tour.  To navigate this tour of geothermal features, simply click 'next stop' at the bottom of each page.  If you prefer you may select  features from the 'List of Stops' or from the 'Interactive Map'.  

Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest and most changeable thermal area in Yellowstone.  We will explore many of the features you would see if you walked the 2 1/4 miles (3.6 km) of trails.  Discover the location of the tallest active geyser, colorful hot springs, and microscopic life in one of the most extreme environments on earth.  

Our tour starts at the Norris Museum.  The museum houses exhibits relating to the origins of the geothermal features found at the basin.  Two loop trails leave from here. They provide a safe route for viewing the Porcelain Basin and Back Basin.  

Rainbow Colors, hissing steam, and pungent odors combine to create an experience unique in Yellowstone.  Porcelain Basin is open terrain with hundreds of densely packed geothermal features; in contrast, Back Basin is forested and its features are more scattered and isolated.  Click the 'Next Stop' link below to begin your tour of Porcelain Basin. 

Norris Geyser Basin Tour
List of Stops  |  Next Stop