Opened on August 25, 2010, the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to help millions of visitors understand the explosive power and delicate ecology of Yellowstone’s hydrothermal systems. It replaced a smaller, asbestos-filled center from the 1970s and was built with a strong focus on sustainability and education.
A Front-Row Seat to the Show
The building was strategically designed to frame the park’s most famous resident. Its massive, multi-story windows in the lobby act as a natural theater, allowing visitors to watch Old Faithful Geyser erupt from the comfort of the indoors—a particularly popular feature during the park’s harsh winters.
Interactive Exhibits and Education
The center moves beyond traditional displays, using interactive technology to explain the complex “plumbing” of the park.
- Hydrothermal Wonders: Detailed exhibits explore how geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and steam vents are formed by the Yellowstone Supervolcano.
- Young Scientist Exhibit Room: A highlight for families, this was the first hands-on children’s gallery in a national park. It features a full-size geyser model, touchable specimens, and a gathering space for junior rangers.
- Geyser Prediction Board: This is the “command center” for the area, where rangers post the estimated eruption times for Old Faithful and five other major geysers (Castle, Grand, Daisy, Riverside, and Beehive).
- State-of-the-Art Theater: Visitors can watch a high-definition film that dives into the park’s geological history and the ongoing research within this “living laboratory.”
“Green” Design and Engineering
The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center earned a LEED Gold Certification for its environmentally friendly architecture. Because it sits on top of active geothermal ground, the engineering had to be revolutionary:
- Thermally Invisible: To avoid damaging the underground plumbing, the building sits on a shallow foundation and features a ventilated crawlspace. This prevents the building’s heat from altering the temperature of the geothermally heated soil beneath it.
- Natural Convection: The 60-foot tall lobby uses automated windows to allow hot air to escape and cool air to enter, reducing the need for traditional air conditioning in the high alpine environment.
- Sustainable Materials: The interior uses rapidly renewable resources like cork, flax, and wheat for flooring and wall coverings.
Historical Evolution
The current center is the latest in a long history of interpretive facilities in this area:
- 1929: The original Old Faithful Museum of Thermal Activity, a rustic log-and-stone structure, was built.
- 1971-1972: A “Mission 66” style visitor center was built but later proved inadequate and environmentally hazardous.
- 2010: The current $27 million facility opened, funded largely by the National Park Service and over $15 million in private donations through the Yellowstone Park Foundation.
Visiting Information
- Hours: Generally open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM during the summer and winter seasons. It closes briefly during the “shoulder” seasons (spring and fall) when park roads are closed.
- Facilities: Includes a large research library, the Yellowstone Forever Bookstore, high-volume public restrooms, and a ranger-staffed information desk.