Belgian Pool

Belgian Pool is one of the lesser-known yet visually captivating hot springs in Yellowstone National Park’s Upper Geyser Basin. Despite being overshadowed by famous neighbors like Morning Glory Pool and Chromatic Pool, this small, vividly colored spring draws attention with its striking combination of turquoise and deep blue hues bordered by orange and yellow thermophilic mats. Its calm, mirror-like surface belies the intense geothermal energy simmering beneath, reminding visitors of Yellowstone’s living, breathing volcanic nature.

Belgian Pool

Belgian Pool

Quick Reference: Belgian Pool

Feature	Details
Name	Belgian Pool
Location	Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Type	Hot Spring
Former Name	Blue Funnel Spring
Naming History	Renamed after a tragic incident involving a Belgian visitor in the 1920s
Water Temperature	Approximately 191°F (88°C)
pH Level	Around 8.2–8.6 (slightly alkaline)
Conductivity	Approximately 1800–2000 µS/cm
Appearance	Deep blue center surrounded by orange and yellow thermophilic mats
Activity Pattern	Non-eruptive; steady convection and occasional light steaming
Formation Type	Hydrothermal vent depositing sinter and silica
Surrounding Environment	Lined with white and tan sinter; thermophile growth around edges
Safety Note	Extremely hot; fatal accidents have occurred — stay on boardwalks
Best Viewing Time	Morning or late afternoon for enhanced color contrast and steam visibility
Nearby Attractions	Morning Glory Pool, Chromatic Pool, Beauty Pool, Crested Pool
Accessibility	Easily reachable via Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk
Fun Fact	Despite its calm appearance, the pool’s water is near boiling and can change subtly with geothermal shifts

Originally, Belgian Pool was known as Blue Funnel Spring, a name that described its elegant funnel-shaped depression and clear blue coloration. However, its current name carries a somber history. The spring was renamed in memory of a tourist from Belgium who tragically fell into the pool in the 1920s, losing his life to its near-boiling waters. This event underscores the importance of observing safety precautions around geothermal features, as temperatures in these pools often exceed 190°F (88°C). While peaceful in appearance, the pool’s depths conceal a scalding and unstable hydrothermal system that continues to shift and evolve over time.

The temperature of Belgian Pool averages around 191°F (88°C), and its pH is slightly alkaline, contributing to the clarity and brightness of its waters. The rim of the pool is lined with white and tan sinter, formed as minerals in the hot water precipitate when exposed to cooler air. Around its edges, colorful mats of thermophilic bacteria flourish, their pigments changing with temperature and light levels. These living organisms thrive in extreme environments, producing vivid bands of orange, gold, and green that provide a striking contrast against the crystal-blue center of the pool.

For visitors walking the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk, Belgian Pool is easily accessible and typically less crowded than many nearby features. It provides an excellent opportunity for photographers and nature enthusiasts to appreciate Yellowstone’s more intimate geothermal wonders. Standing before the pool, one can feel the quiet hum of geothermal energy radiating from the earth, a living connection to the forces that have shaped this landscape for millennia.