Artist’s Paint Pots – Yellowstone National Park

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Location: Yellowstone National Park

Length: 1.1 miles

GPS Coordinates: N 44 41.774 W 110 44.466

The Artist’s Paint Pots trail is an easy and very popular hike featuring colorful hot springs, geysers, a fumaroles and mudpots in Yellowstone National Park. We encourage you to enjoy it in a natural setting.

From the trailhead the trail takes you through a conifer forest. It should be mentioned that these trees were able to survive during the fire in 1988. After the forest the trail takes you to a boardwalk that wanders along different geothermal features. This is a loop trail, so you can choose the direction that you like.

Many of the geothermal features along Artist’s Paint Pot trail are not named and they are little explored. But along this trail we do not need their names; we are to enjoy the beauty of these natural masterpieces.

One of the most popular areas on this trail is Artist’s Paint pots, they are located above the boiling geothermal features and because of that mudpots are created. An underground source emits sulfuric acid derived from hydrogen sulfide gas. This acid breaks down the rhyolite stone into grey clay, which then bulges and pops as gas bubbles rise up to the surface. The consistency of the mud also varies. Some of the mudpots are thick and others are more liquid. Here is an interesting fact, these mudpots can shoot mud up to 15 ft in height.

This trail is very short, but it offers great views on creamy brown mudpots, blue pools, etc. Other great features here are Blood Geyser and Flash Spring. Blood geyser received its name thanks to the sulfur deposits that surround the vent and add red and orange color to it.

There are many hot springs that are situated close to the trail, but remember that hikers are not allowed to leave the official trail. Enjoy the views at the top of the loop, because it offers great views of this hydrothermal region.

Photo: Roman Khomlyak
Photo Editing: Juliana Voitsikhovska
Information: Marina Petrova

Pictures taken: 24.06.2016