🌋 Old Faithful Area

Home base: Old Faithful Inn — Jul 1 (Thu) to Jul 4 (Sun). The heart of Yellowstone's geothermal activity. Geysers, hot springs, and the iconic lodge right at the center of it all.

Can't-Miss Attractions

Old Faithful Geyser

Erupts every ~90 minutes (range: 50–127 min)
Check predicted times at the Visitor Education Center (also posted online before you lose signal)
Grabs a spot on the boardwalk or benches
It never disappoints — water and steam shoot 100+ feet in the air for 1–5 min
⭐ Oscar will be mesmerized

⭐ Grand Prismatic Spring (10 min drive from the inn)

The famous rainbow-colored hot spring — largest in the US
Best view: Park at the Fairy Falls Trailhead parking lot and walk the 0.6-mile paved trail up to the overlook. You see the full colors from above.
Ground-level view: Boardwalk right next to it (less impressive but feels more immediate)
Do both if you have the energy — different experiences

Upper Geyser Basin

The largest concentration of geysers in the world
Boardwalks weave through steaming pools and erupting vents
Start at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and follow any path

West Thumb Geyser Basin (30 min drive south)

Geysers and hot springs right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake
A 0.5-mile boardwalk — easy, stunning, unique setting
Great for a first-thing-in-the-morning visit or on your way out of the park

Mud Volcano Area (30 min drive east)

Bubbling, hissing, popping mud pots — smells like sulfur
Short boardwalk, 20 min max
Oscar will think the "farting ground" is hilarious

Family-Friendly Hikes

Trail	Distance	Elevation	Why Oscar will like it
Old Faithful Geyser Loop	0.7 mi	Paved/flat	Boardwalk around the geyser. He can count eruptions.
Geyser Hill Loop	1.3 mi	Flat	See dozens of geysers and hot springs. Beautiful loop.
Morning Glory Pool (from Old Faithful)	2.4 mi RT	Flat	Paved bike path. Ends at a stunning turquoise pool.
Fairy Falls Overlook	1.2 mi RT	Easy uphill	Paved-ish. Best view of Grand Prismatic. Short enough for Oscar.
West Thumb Geyser Basin	0.5 mi	Boardwalk/flat	Geysers + lake combo. Unique.

For Molly (solo or rotating with David)

Trail	Distance	Best for
Fairy Falls (full trail)	5 mi RT	Molly hikes while David + Oscar do the overlook
Avalanche Peak	4.5 mi RT, 2100 ft	Strenuous, amazing summit. Not for Oscar.
Mount Washburn	6.2 mi RT, 1400 ft	Classic. Bighorn sheep near the trail.
Lone Star Geyser	4.8 mi RT, flat	Paved path. Erupts every 3 hrs. Oscar could do it in a carrier.

Fishing for Molly

Firehole River

Runs right through the geyser basins — walk from the inn (5–10 min)
Classic Yellowstone fly fishing in steaming water
Oscar can watch the geysers while Molly fishes nearby

Gibbon River

Less crowded, good brown and rainbow trout
Near the Norris Geyser Basin junction (~20 min drive)

⭐ Madison River

One of the best and most accessible in the park
Easy pull-offs right from the road
Great for an evening session — David + Oscar can explore nearby while Molly fishes (~30 min drive)

Fishing permit: $18 for 3-day, $40 for season. Buy at visitor center. Catch-and-release for native cutthroat. Barbless hooks, no bait, no lead.

Oscar at Old Faithful Inn

The lobby is the main attraction — 6-story log ceiling, massive stone fireplace, balconies
He can run around the fire (supervised), look down from the balconies
Junior Ranger badge — the visitor center has a dedicated education room with hands-on geyser models
Pick up the booklet at Old Faithful Visitor Education Center — complete activities throughout your stay, get a badge at the end

Logistics

Gas — station at Old Faithful (expensive, fills you up)
Dining — Old Faithful Inn restaurant (sit-down), deli (quick), general store (groceries/snacks)
Wi-Fi — available at the inn but slow with many users
Bear spray — carry it on any trail hike. Rent at visitor center if you don't bring your own.
Parking — Old Faithful area fills up by 10am. You've got the advantage of staying there — walk everywhere in the morning before the crowds arrive.