Did you know that West Thumb Geyser Basin is a caldera within a caldera? It was formed by a volcanic explosion inside the Yellowstone caldera about 150,000 years ago! It is only a 30 minute drive from Upper Geyser Basin and features several geysers and springs right by the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
The 1 mile boardwalk makes a perfect location for a casual evening walk watching the sun setting over the horizon. You will find far less crowds here than the more popular spots like Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic, and will make for a peaceful stroll.
Definitely plan to spend at least an hour here doing the loop trail on the boardwalk. However, if you are short on time, and only have a day to explore all geyser basins in Yellowstone, you can skip this one in favor of Upper, Mid and Lower Geyser Basin and Norris Geyser Basin.
Although it is worth a visit, it would not make our top list of attractions to visit if you only have a day or two in Yellowstone.
Share your experience
If you have been to West Thumb Geyser Basin, let us know about your experience in the comments below. We would love to hear from you! If you are planning on visiting Yellowstone, check out our day by day itinerary of our trip.
