Turquoise Pool

Turquoise Pool in Yellowstone National Park is one of the most enchanting and serene geothermal features within the park’s famous Midway Geyser Basin. Its name perfectly captures the essence of its appearance — a brilliant turquoise-blue pool shimmering amid a landscape of steam and mineral-rich crusts. 

Though it may not have the immense size or fame of the Grand Prismatic Spring, Turquoise Pool holds its own quiet allure, drawing visitors who appreciate the subtler beauty of Yellowstone’s geothermal world. This stunning hot spring offers a glimpse into the park’s incredible hydrothermal system, where heat, minerals, and microorganisms combine to create nature’s artistry.

Turquoise Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park

Quick Reference: Turquoise Pool, Yellowstone National Park

Feature	Details
Location	Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Type	Hot Spring
Water Temperature	Around 160°F (71°C)
Color Appearance	Brilliant turquoise-blue center with yellow and white mineral edges
Diameter	Approximately 100 feet (30 meters)
Depth	Estimated 20–30 feet (not precisely measured due to heat and depth)
Elevation	Approximately 7,275 feet (2,217 meters) above sea level
Accessibility	Viewable via boardwalk in Midway Geyser Basin (accessible by car and footpath)
Activity Type	Non-eruptive; gently steaming thermal pool
Best Viewing Time	Late morning to early afternoon (sunlight enhances color)
Nearby Attractions	Grand Prismatic Spring, Excelsior Geyser Crater, Opal Pool
Safety Tip	Stay on designated boardwalks — ground and water temperatures are dangerously hot
Geological Origin	Fed by Yellowstone’s underground volcanic heat system (part of the Yellowstone Caldera)
Fun Fact	Its vivid turquoise color results from sunlight scattering through the clear, mineral-rich water

The pool was first described during the Hayden Geological Survey in the early 1870s, the same period when many of Yellowstone’s major thermal features were being documented. Turquoise Pool lies just a short distance south of Grand Prismatic Spring and Excelsior Geyser Crater, placing it within one of the park’s most active and visually impressive thermal zones. The spring’s circular basin spans roughly 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter and maintains water temperatures around 160°F (71°C). The intense heat prevents algae or bacteria from thriving in its center, leaving the water crystal clear and allowing light to scatter in a way that produces its signature turquoise hue.

Around the edges of the pool, cooler zones create delicate rings of color. Pale yellows, whites, and faint oranges form as thermophilic microorganisms begin to inhabit the outer areas where the temperature drops slightly. The colors vary with the seasons, air temperature, and sunlight, giving the pool a dynamic, ever-changing quality. The contrast between the calm, glassy blue water and the stark, mineral-coated surroundings makes Turquoise Pool a favorite subject for photographers and nature lovers alike.

Despite its tranquil beauty, Turquoise Pool is part of an active hydrothermal area and must be viewed from the designated boardwalk that runs through Midway Geyser Basin. The ground surrounding the pool is fragile, and beneath its thin crust lies scalding water that can cause severe injuries. Visitors are required to stay on the boardwalks for safety and to help preserve the delicate environment. The steam rising from the pool carries minerals that continually reshape the basin’s edges, reminding visitors that this is a living, breathing landscape still being sculpted by geothermal forces deep underground.

Like many of Yellowstone’s thermal features, Turquoise Pool is fed by the same volcanic system that powers the park’s geysers and hot springs. The underground heat source is part of the Yellowstone Caldera, one of the largest active volcanic systems on Earth. The pool’s high temperature and clear blue coloration are direct results of this geothermal activity. The clarity of the water allows observers to see deep into the spring, giving it an almost hypnotic sense of depth and purity.

For visitors who wish to experience Turquoise Pool, the best time to view it is on clear, sunny days when the sun is high overhead. During these hours, the pool’s blue color appears most vivid and reflective. Morning visits often feature rising mist that drifts across the basin, giving the scene a mysterious, otherworldly feel. The nearby Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail also provides an elevated perspective of the entire basin, allowing visitors to appreciate how Turquoise Pool complements the larger thermal features around it.

Turquoise Pool may not erupt like a geyser, but its calm, simmering surface hides an incredible amount of geothermal energy. Its beauty lies in its stillness and color rather than spectacle, offering a different kind of wonder compared to the dramatic eruptions of Old Faithful or Steamboat Geyser. It serves as a reminder that Yellowstone’s geothermal landscape is as much about quiet elegance as it is about raw power.

Ultimately, Turquoise Pool stands as one of Yellowstone National Park’s hidden gems — a natural masterpiece sculpted by heat and time. It invites visitors to pause, breathe in the steam-filled air, and reflect on the incredible forces that shape the Earth beneath their feet. Though smaller than some of the park’s more famous features, it is no less magnificent, representing the delicate balance between life, heat, and the mineral-rich waters that define Yellowstone’s unique environment.