Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
The Norris Area
Norris Geyser Basin
You are close to a world of heat and gases where microorganisms live in such massive numbers they add color to the landscape. This strange, beautiful place is on the edge of a giant volcano-the Yellowstone Volcano-one of the largest on Earth.
Norris Geyser Basin Museum
On your way to the geyser basin, you will arrive at the Norris Geyser Basin Museum. This historic stone structure opened in 1930 to help orient park visitors to Yellowstone's amazing geologic history.
At the Norris Bookstore (located just ahead on the trail), you can find books and other educational material about Yellowstone's abundant wildlife and rich geologic and cultural history.
From here, Norris Campground is located 1½ miles (2.4 km) north on the road to Mammoth Hot Springs. It also can be reached via the foot trail between Porcelain Basin and the campground.
Carry a water bottle with you. There is no drinking water ahead.
Restrooms are located in the parking lot. There are no restrooms in the geyser basin.
Due to Norris Geyser Basinís rough terrain and highly changeable conditions, please expect uneven ground and steep grades
For a similar experience viewing geysers or hot springs, please see the map (at right) for locations with wheelchair accessible trails. The Museum of the National Park Ranger (1 ½ miles north, or 2.4 km) and adjoining outdoor exhibits are wheel chair accessible.
Location. 44° 43.568′ N, 110° 42.129′ W. Marker is in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in Park County. Marker can be reached from Grand Loop Road (U.S. 89) near Norris Canyon Road, on the right when traveling south. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yellowstone National Park WY 82190, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Norris Geyser Basin (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The National Park System (about 400 feet away); Yellowstone National Park (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Norris Geyser Basin (about 500 feet away); Emerald Spring (about 500 feet away); Fumaroles (about 600 feet away); Solfatara (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Norris Geyser Basin (approx. 0.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Yellowstone National Park.
More about this marker.
"Norris Geyser Basin steams and simmers on the edge of a huge caldera. The Yellowstone Volcano—one of the largest volcanoes on Earth—erupted approximately 640,000 years ago. The eruption ripped open miles of mountainous terrain, leaving behind a massive caldera that stretches 45 miles (72 km) from rim to rim!
Later, lava oozed and flowed. The lava obscured crater boundaries and reshaped the landscape as it partially filled the caldera. The last flow occurred about 70,000 years ago."
Also see . . . Yellowstone National Park. (Submitted on August 1, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia.)
Categories. • Natural Features •
Credits. This page originally submitted on , by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on , by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. 4. submitted on , by Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016.