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Topo

Rock Formations

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WEATHER

Black Sand Basin Trail

Short Loop Showcasing Richly Colored Pools

Interpretive Trail on Iron Spring Creek, West Fork Iron Spring Creek in Yellowstone NP, Rocky Mountains near Old Faithful, WY

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Length

0.3mi

Surface

Pavement (1,010ft)

Boardwalk (721ft)

Allows ATVs

No

Allows Bikes

No

Allows Hiking

Yes

Allows Horses

No

Allows Nordic Skiing

No

The Black Sand Basin Trail is one of the shortest thermal area boardwalks of Yellowstone, but it features several very colorful pools that shouldn’t be missed. At ¼ mile long, it only takes 10 or 15 minutes to see the hot springs.Microorganisms that thrive in the high-temperature hot springs give them their rich colors. The sandy black soil made up of obsidian granules is what gave Black Sand Basin its name.

Attractions

Opalescent Pool

Hot Spring in Yellowstone NP, Rocky Mountains near Old Faithful, WY

Geyser in Yellowstone NP, Rocky Mountains near Old Faithful, WY

Hot Spring in Yellowstone NP, Rocky Mountains near Old Faithful, WY

Hot Spring in Yellowstone NP, Rocky Mountains near Old Faithful, WY

Taxonomy

Classified As

Interpretive Trail

Waterbodies

Iron Spring Creek

West Fork Iron Spring Creek

Ecology

South Central Rockies Forests

Yellowstone Plateau