Hi there!
As it goes in Yellowstone National Park, there are many thermal pools to see!
Some are smaller, and some are bigger.
You can make it a walk to the Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin to see a colorful thermal pool.
When I went, it appeared as a vibrant blue hot spring!
Watch the Sapphire Pool video on youtube!
Walking the Biscuit Basin Trail to Sapphire Pool
You will find the Sapphire Pool along the Biscuit Basin Trail.
If you walk the Biscuit Basin Trail, you will walk by the Sapphire Pool.
And, when you see a boardwalk near hot springs in Yellowstone… stay on the boardwalk! Thermal areas can be HOT and dangerous.
👆 The area around Sapphire Pool is considered dangerous ground. The dangers near Sapphire Pool include ground with a thin crust that may be above boiling hot springs or scalding mud.
Also, it is said that coins (and other foreign objects that make their way into thermal pools) can contaminate the thermal pools.
Sapphire Pool in the 50s in the evening
Weather in Yellowstone can make a difference in how Sapphire Pool looks when you see it!
The air temperature was on the cooler side when I went, so there may be more steam in these pictures than if you visit when it’s warmer.
The sun’s lighting can also make a difference in what it looks like. Midday sun can bring out the colors of thermal pools better than at sunset.
When I went to Sapphire Pool it was nearing sunset, so similarly, you may see more vibrant colors if you go during the day compared to what you see in the pictures here!
For reference, my visit to Sapphire Pool was in early October 2021 a little before 7pm. The outside temperature was around the 50s F at that time.
More below about a walk to see Sapphire Pool!
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Now…
The trail to see Sapphire Pool
There is a stretch of road along the western side of the Yellowstone Grand Loop Road that has a number of thermal basins.
And it’s in one of these thermal basins that you’ll find Sapphire Pool.
The turn-off to the Biscuit Basin parking lot is located directly along the Grand Loop Road.
It’s located relatively near Old Faithful.
So it can be perfect to stop by to see Sapphire Pool after a visit to the Old Faithful geyser overlook.
Explore the map.
You’ll see a sign for the Biscuit Basin, and it will be a turn off of the main road.
You’ll then drive into the parking lot.
Then you’ll get started on the trail!
You’ll first cross a bridge over the Firehole River.
And then you’ll soon see a few hot springs, including Black Opal Spring, Wall Pool and Black Diamond Pool.
👆 You’ll pass Wall Pool to get to Sapphire Pool.
And then just a little bit further up the trail, you will see the Sapphire Pool!
You’ll know when you see it because there will be a sign for it!
Have a walk around a bright blue Yellowstone hot spring in Biscuit Basin!
And then after you’ve taken in the views, you can continue your walk onwards to see more thermal features near Sapphire Pool!
Just up ahead, there is the Jewel Geyser. This is the Biscuit Basin geyser, and maybe you’ll see it erupting!
Then further up ahead maybe you will see bubbling thermal pools when you get to Shell Spring and Avoca Spring!
And that’s a bit about a walk to see a thermal pool along the Biscuit Basin Trail!
More of the Upper Geyser Basin:
- More of what to see in Biscuit Basin
- What to see in nearby Black Sand Basin
- Hike to Observation Point to see Old Faithful geyser eruption from above
- Hike to Solitary Geyser
See more thermal pools in Yellowstone:
See the most famous thermal pool in Yellowstone:
Plan more of your trip to Yellowstone and beyond:
- How to see Old Faithful geyser eruption
- Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
- Things to do in Grand Teton National Park
HAPPY WALKING TO SAPPHIRE POOL!
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