West Thumb, Grant, and the South

 

Black Pool in the West Thumb Geyser Basin.

NPS/Diane Renkin

Explore the West Thumb Geyser Basin

West Thumb Geyser Basin, including Potts Basin to the north, is the largest geyser basin on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. The heat source of the hydrothermal features in this location is thought to be relatively close to the surface—only 10,000 feet (3000 m) down!

The West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake was formed by a large volcanic explosion that occurred approximately 150,000 years ago (125,000–200,000). The resulting collapsed volcano later filled with water forming an extension of Yellowstone Lake. The West Thumb is about the same size as another famous volcanic caldera, Crater Lake in Oregon, but much smaller than the great Yellowstone Caldera which formed 600,000 years ago. It is interesting to note that West Thumb is a caldera within a caldera.

Ring fractures formed as the magma chamber bulged up under the surface of the earth and subsequently cracked, releasing the enclosed magma. This created the source of heat for the West Thumb Geyser Basin today.

The hydrothermal features at West Thumb are found not only on the lake shore, but extend under the surface of the lake as well. Several underwater geysers were discovered in the early 1990s and can be seen as slick spots or slight bulges in the summer. During the winter, the underwater thermal features are visible as melt holes in the icy surface of the lake. The ice averages about three feet thick during the winter.

 

NPS Yellowstone App Free digital guide to the park

 

Visit the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake

Large volcanic eruptions have occurred in Yellowstone on an approximate interval of 600,000 years. Part of this caldera is the 136-square mile (352-square km) basin of Yellowstone Lake. The original lake was 200 feet (61 m) higher than the present-day lake, extending northward across Hayden Valley to the base of Mount Washburn. Members of the 1870 Washburn party noted that Yellowstone Lake was shaped like "a human hand with the fingers extended and spread apart as much as possible," with the large west bay representing the thumb. In 1878, however, the Hayden Survey used the name West Arm for the bay. West Bay was also used. Norris' maps of 1880 and 1881 used West Bay or Thumb. During the 1930s, park personnel attempted to change the name back to West Arm, but West Thumb remains the accepted name.

 

Yellowstone Lake has played an important role in the human use of the area.

NPS/Jim Peaco

Delve into the Cultural History

The shoreline of West Thumb is the location of several Native American hearth sites providing evidence that native peoples once used this area as a travel route, camping ground, and food-gathering area.

 

Learn About Fire Ecology

Fire plays a natural role in the ecosystems of Yellowstone National Park. The Grant Visitor Center hosts an exhibit that interprets fire's role in the environment, using the fires of 1988 as the example.

 

The Bechler River flowing down a series of cascades.

NPS/Diane Renkin

Discover Bechler

In the southwest part of the park, accessible via dirt roads outside of the park, is the Bechler region. This is a unique corner of the park, with the lowest visitation and a wetter environment than the rest of the park. This is an ideal location for those with an adventurous spirit and a desire to hike and backcountry camp.

 

Visit the West Thumb Information Station

Built in 1925, with the open breezeway enclosed in 1966, the West Thumb Information Station is an excellent example of historic architecture associated with ranger stations in Yellowstone. During the winter, this facility serves as the West Thumb Warming Hut. Visitors can warm up, read interpretive exhibits on history and a variety of winter topics, and get their questions answered by an Interpretive staff person.

 

Canoeing is a popular activity on Lewis Lake.

NPS/Neal Herbert

Paddle About on a Lake

Canoeing and kayaking are popular activities in this area. Lewis Lake and Yellowstone Lake both easy boat access. Shoshone Lake can be paddled to from Lewis Lake following the Lewis River section between the two lakes. Always remember to use caution as lake waters are very cold and to clean, drain, and dry your boats before coming to the park.

 

Stay Here

Grant Village is a developed area in the park with both a hotel-style lodge and a large campground with lots of amenities. To the south, Lewis Lake campground provides a little more rustic camping experience. Backcountry camping is also available for those looking to stay overnight at one of the park's primitive backcountry campsites.

 

 

West Thumb and Grant Village Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this area called West Thumb?

Yellowstone Lake resembles the shape of a human hand; West Thumb is the large western bay that would be the thumb. The bay is a caldera within a caldera. It was formed by a volcanic eruption approximately 174,000 years ago. The resulting caldera later filled with water, forming an extension of Yellowstone Lake.

West Thumb is also the largest geyser basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake—and its hydrothermal features lie under the lake too. The heat from these features can melt ice on the lake's surface.

How did Fishing Cone get its name?

People learned they could stand on this shoreside geyser, catch a fish in the cold lake, and cook it in the hot spring. Fortunately for anglers, this geyser has only two years of known eruptions: In 1919, it erupted frequently to 40 feet (12.2 m) and in 1939 to lesser heights. Fishing here is now prohibited.

How hot are the springs at West Thumb?

Temperatures vary from less than 100ºF (38ºC) to just over 200ºF (93ºC).

How deep are Abyss and Black pools?

Abyss is about 53 feet (16.1 m) deep. Black Pool is 35–40 feet (10.7–12.2 m) deep.

The mudpots here aren't like they used to be. What happened?

Like all hydrothermal features, the West Thumb Paint Pots change over time. During the 1970s and 1980s, they were less active; they became more active in the 1990s.

What happened to the development at West Thumb?

Early visitors would arrive at West Thumb via stagecoach from the Old Faithful area. They could continue on the stagecoach or board the steamship "Zillah" to reach the Lake Hotel.

Later, a gas station, marina, photo shop, store, cafeteria, and cabins were built here. They were removed in the 1980s to protect the hydrothermal features and improve visitor experience. Grant Village now provides most of these facilities. West Thumb still has restrooms, picnic tables, and a bookstore and information station in the historic ranger station.

What can I do in the Grant Village and West Thumb area?

This area provides numerous opportunities for adventure. Take in the spectacular views of West Thumb and the Absaroka Mountains from the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Explore the hot springs, mud pots, and geysers of the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Hike one of the local trails, like the Scenic Lake Overlook or begin an overnight backpacking excursion at one of the many wilderness trailheads. Also, private and commercial paddling excursions launch from the Grant Village Marina.

Why does Grant Campground open so late in the year?

Grizzly and black bears frequent this area in spring when cutthroat trout spawn in five nearby streams. To protect bears and people, the campground opens after most of the spawn is over.

Isn't there a unique lake nearby?

That's Isa Lake, at Craig Pass. At one time, it was probably the only lake on Earth that drained naturally backwards to two oceans, the east side draining to the Pacific and the west side to the Atlantic. If this still occurs, it is only at the peak of snow melt after winters with deep snowfall.

What's that big lake you see south of Craig Pass?

Shoshone Lake is the park's second largest lake, and is thought to be the largest lake in the lower 48 states that cannot be reached by road. Its maximum depth is 205 feet (62.5 m) and it has an area of 8,050 acres (3258 ha). The Shoshone Geyser Basin contains one of the highest concentrations of geysers in the world—more than 80 in an area 1,600 feet x 800 feet (488 m x 244 m).

What animals can I see in the West Thumb area?

In addition to the bears that frequent this area in spring, elk cows and their new calves are often seen here in May and June. Bald eagles and osprey dive into the bay to catch cutthroat trout. Other birds include ravens, common loons, and bufflehead and goldeneye ducks.

In winter, pine marten are sometimes seen. River otters pop in and out of holes in the ice. Coyotes and bald eagles eat their fish scraps.