Norris Geyser Basin Museum

 
Visitors walking along the cinder path to the open-air, stone and wood museum.
Norris Museum provides a great starting point for exploring the Norris Geyser Basin.

NPS/Janine Waller

Situated on the ridge overlooking the Norris Geyser Basin, this historic building is staffed during the summer with rangers who provide park information and facilitate ranger programs. Restrooms are located in the parking lot.

When automobiles replaced stagecoaches as the main means of transportation through the park, people were no longer accompanied by a guide. The Norris Museum was completed in 1930, and built as a "trailside museum" for visitors to learn about Yellowstone on their own. The open foyer through the middle of the Norris Museum still functions as the visitor's gateway to the Norris Geyser Basin. One of the two rooms on either side of the foyer originally contained bird specimens; both now have exhibits explaining geothermal activity and life in thermal areas.

The museums at Fishing Bridge, Madison Junction, and Norris Geyser Basin were designated National Historic Landmarks in 1982. They exemplify rustic design in the national parks and served as models for hundreds of park buildings constructed during work relief programs of the 1930s.

 

 

Visitor Services

  • Rangers who can assist with park information and guidance.
  • Exhibits covering the hydrothermal features and processes found in the Norris Geyser Basin.
  • Book and souvenir shopping available in the nearby Yellowstone Forever bookstore.
  • Restrooms are available in the parking area.
 

Additional Norris Area Information

 
A person enjoys a sunset in the Norris Geyser Basin.
Norris Geyser Basin

Explore Yellowstone's hottest geyser basin and nearby destinations.

Multi-colored ground dotted with milky blue pools and rising steam.
Norris Geyser Basin

Take a virtual trip around the hottest geyser basin in the park, then plan a visit in person.

A boardwalk winds through a forested area, providing views on a stark, gray, steaming landscape.
Accessibility in the Norris Area

Learn about accessibility options in the Norris Geyser Basin area.

A park ranger speaks to visitors facing an erupting geyser from a crowded boardwalk
Participate in a Ranger Program

Join a park ranger to further your understanding about this special place.

Become a junior ranger of Yellowstone National Park.
Become a Junior Ranger

Now available to download for completing at home, this is a great way to experience Yellowstone National Park for you and your family.

Visitors stopping by Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Trailside Museum
Visitor Centers

Step inside a visitor center and explore the exhibits and interpretive offerings, or talk to a ranger.

Last updated: January 24, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168

Phone:

307-344-7381

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