Yellowstone Day: Lake Sunrise, Wildlife Drive, Upper Falls, 8 a.m. Old Faithful, Castle Geyser
1 — Getting Back In
In late April 2021 the entrance was buried under snow, so we detoured to Grand Teton. That missed sunrise kept nagging at me, so this autumn we rolled through the east gate at 5 a.m. with a printed map.
Dawn reflections over Lake Yellowstone reward the early start to our loop.
2 — Lake Yellowstone and the Wildlife Corridor
By 5 : 45 the water reflected pink and blue. Two bull moose stepped across the road, reminding us to stay in the car and use a long lens. Ten minutes north a bison herd stalled traffic while photographers lined the shoulder, and a lone coyote walked past the crowd as if we were not there.
3 — Upper Falls from Both Rims
Upper Falls sits on Grand Loop Road where US-20 and US-14 meet the Yellowstone River, roughly twenty miles from the lake turnout. Cell service disappears once you pass West Thumb, so download or print maps first. We took North Rim Road to Grandview and Inspiration Point, then backtracked four miles to South Rim Road for the short walk to Artist Point. Tripod spots fill fast after 8 a.m.; Canyon Village cabins a few minutes up the road help if you want dawn or dusk light here.
Soft morning light reveals the creamy cliffs of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon.
4 — Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin
Old Faithful is more like a small town than a trailhead. Three hotels (Inn, Lodge, Snow Lodge), a visitor and education center, a tribal heritage center, a post office, a general store, and a huge parking lot sit around the wooden viewing deck. We took seats around 7 : 30 a.m.; the deck filled within minutes. The geyser teased the crowd with short bursts, then delivered a full four-minute column around 8 am.
Old Faithful delivers its 8 a.m. show right on cue—classic Yellowstone.
A lesser-known basin geyser surprises onlookers with a midday burst and subtle rainbow.
Golden grasses frame the Firehole River and its steaming footbridge near Midway Geyser.
What I believed to be the Beehive Geyser shot a narrow jet in the distance while we packed up. If you have time, follow the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk to Daisy, Riverside, Grotto, and Morning Glory Pool. The loop is a little over five miles, so carry water and hiking shoes.
Eli Admiring Morning Glory Pool’s vibrant rings from the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk.
5 — Castle Geyser’s Close-Up
Castle Geyser often erupts only once a day. Rangers setting instruments beside the cone signaled that today was the day, so we waited thirty minutes. At 9 : 25 a.m. boiling water exploded just a few yards from the rail—closer and louder than Old Faithful.
Front-row view of Castle Geyser’s once-a-day eruption—absolutely worth the wait.
Old Faithful’s steam rolls across the Upper Geyser Basin while we keep a safe distance.
6 — Key Takeaways
Early alarms beat traffic, printed maps beat dead zones, and patience wins front-row eruptions. Twelve hours, one tank of gas, four memory cards: loop complete.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | 35 USD per car (seven-day pass) |
| Sunrise spot | Lake Yellowstone overlook; arrive 30 min before dawn |
| Wildlife zone | Moose, bison, coyote along Grand Loop Road |
| Upper Falls access | North Rim Road (Grandview, Inspiration Point) & South Rim Road (Artist Point) |
| Cell service | Weak beyond West Thumb; download or print maps beforehand |
| Old Faithful eruption | ≈ 8 a.m.; grab a bench 20 min early |
| Nearby facilities | 3 hotels, visitor & heritage centers, post office, general store |
| Castle Geyser | Often once daily; ranger activity is the best signal |
| Upper Geyser Basin walk | 5 mi round-trip to Morning Glory Pool; bring water |
| Lodging for falls | Canyon Village cabins & campground |
Every print or digital download you buy keeps Clay’s Lens on the road, fuel in the tank, new memory cards, and fresh inspiration with every stop. I genuinely couldn’t explore and photograph places like Yellowstone without that support, and knowing my images hang on your walls pushes me to make each frame better. Thank you for helping me tour this beautiful country. Browse the new Yellowstone gallery and pick a favorite if you’d like to be part of the next adventure
If you read this warning here and still walk up to wildlife, whatever happens next is on you.
