Norris Back Basin, Yellowstone National Park

The Back Basin offers a nice contrast to the open and bright basin seen through the stone gateway and interpretive building. The boardwalk is slightly longer than the other option at Norris and wanders through a more intimate and shaded experience. Geysers, colorful pools, hissing vents are located here. Norris is a dynamic thermal area and geysers are not necessarily predictable. It you have not been here for a long time, then some features may have changed. Steamboat, the tallest geyser in the park is erupting more than in the last several decades, and while you are not likely to see a full eruption, it now entertains with shorter regular spurts and gurgles. I visit the park often and find myself turning left at the trail junction and heading to the Back Basin most often. In recent years parking has become a problem because of the park's popularity. The park service has finally provided overflow parking along the main roads at Norris Junction.

Steamboat Geyser is by far the most amazing of them all. We we're lucky enough to catch the eruption and aftermath of off-venting. What an incredible experience. Feeling the raw power of the Yellowstone Caldera.