Cistern Spring

Cistern Spring is one of the most fascinating hydrothermal features in Yellowstone National Park, located in the Norris Geyser Basin not far from the world-famous Steamboat Geyser. Though it may appear peaceful and calm at first glance, Cistern Spring holds a powerful connection to the underground plumbing system of Steamboat, making it an incredible example of how geothermal features in Yellowstone interact beneath the surface. 

The spring is a stunning pool with deep blue water surrounded by delicate sinter formations. These sinter terraces form gradually as mineral-rich water continuously overflows the edges, depositing silica and creating the striking white and cream-colored borders that naturally frame the pool like an artist’s sculpture.

Cistern Spring

Cistern Spring

Quick Reference: Cistern Spring

Feature	Details
Location	Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Type	Hot spring connected to Steamboat Geyser
Temperature	Approximately 175°F – 196°F (79°C – 91°C)
Water Color	Blue-green, sometimes milky due to minerals
Depth	Unknown, believed to be deep
Activity Pattern	Constant overflow; water drains when Steamboat Geyser erupts
Unique Feature	Steamboat eruption can empty Cistern Spring completely
Accessibility	Accessible via boardwalk at Norris Geyser Basin
Best Time to Visit	Late spring to early fall
Safety Info	Stay on boardwalk due to unstable ground and boiling water

Cistern Spring maintains a consistently high temperature, often near boiling, creating an environment where thermophiles thrive around the edges. These heat-loving microorganisms form subtle bands of color, contrasting beautifully with the clear blue center of the pool. When the water level is high, Cistern overflows steadily, sending steaming water down the run-off channels that ripple with texture and warmth. This overflowing cycle is closely tied to the activity of Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active geyser in the world. When Steamboat erupts, the underground water system drains rapidly, causing Cistern Spring to empty completely, often within minutes. The pool then gradually refills, sometimes taking several days before it begins to overflow again. This dramatic transformation is both scientifically compelling and visually astonishing for visitors who witness it.

For visitors walking along the boardwalk in the Norris Geyser Basin area, Cistern Spring is a quiet yet memorable stop. The still surface, occasionally broken by gentle pulses, reflects the surrounding sky and lodgepole pines, giving it a peaceful, almost meditative atmosphere. The contrast between that serenity and the incredible underground power it represents makes the spring particularly captivating. Standing at the railing, listening to the soft hiss of escaping steam, it is easy to feel both respect and awe for the hidden geological forces shaping Yellowstone every moment.

If you witness Cistern Spring immediately following a Steamboat eruption and find it drained and empty, consider yourself fortunate. You are watching Yellowstone’s hydrothermal system in action, a rare and extraordinary sight that reveals just how interconnected these features truly are.