Our stay in Yellowstone’s Grant Village was an incredible experience, perfectly wrapping up our adventures in this remarkable national park. On the morning of our departure, we took one final hike—this time around the beautiful West Thumb Geyser Basin. The photo captures the inviting bench overlooking “Big Cone,” a geyser jutting impressively from the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake. We couldn’t resist sitting down for a moment, secretly hoping we’d catch Big Cone in action, steaming and bubbling right before our eyes.
About Big Cone Geyser and West Thumb Basin:
Big Cone is one of Yellowstone’s unique shoreline geysers, located directly in Yellowstone Lake’s clear, cool waters. Historically, fishermen used to cook freshly caught fish right in the geyser’s boiling vent—an amusing yet dangerous tradition long since banned for conservation reasons.
West Thumb Geyser Basin itself is notable for its stunning location along the lake’s edge, offering a peaceful walking loop lined with colorful thermal pools and bubbling geysers. The interaction between geothermal activity and the cold lake water creates an extraordinary landscape, making it one of Yellowstone’s most photogenic spots.
Relaxing on that bench, overlooking Big Cone, felt like the perfect farewell to Yellowstone, leaving our family with lasting memories of nature’s extraordinary power and beauty.
