Daisy Geyser is one of the most reliably predictable geysers in Yellowstone National Park’s Upper Geyser Basin, known for its distinctive angled eruption that shoots up to 75 feet into the air. It’s one of the small handful of geysers park rangers include in their official daily eruption predictions, making it a popular stop for visitors who want a near-guaranteed geyser sighting without the long waits associated with some other features. Its behavior is closely tied to its geothermal neighbors, which can throw off its usually dependable schedule.
Location and Basic Details
Daisy Geyser sits in the Upper Geyser Basin, along the paved path that leads toward Morning Glory Pool, not far from Old Faithful. It’s a cone-type geyser, sitting at an elevation of about 7,339 feet, with water temperatures reaching around 184°F (84.5°C) during eruptions. It was named by the Hague Geological Survey party sometime before 1890.
Eruption Height, Duration, and Interval
Daisy erupts at a distinctive angle rather than straight up, reaching heights of roughly 60 to 75 feet and lasting about 3 to 5 minutes per eruption. Its interval between eruptions typically ranges from 110 to 240 minutes, though it’s often cited more narrowly as 120 to 200 minutes under normal conditions. Because this interval is fairly consistent, park staff can predict Daisy’s next eruption with reasonable accuracy using the average interval combined with the time of the last eruption.
The Angled “Tilt” That Makes It Distinctive
Unlike many geysers that erupt straight upward, Daisy’s fountain shoots out at roughly a 30-degree angle from vertical, giving it a signature “tilt” that makes it visually distinct from most other geysers in the basin. This angled eruption pattern is shared with nearby Baby Daisy Geyser, a smaller geyser named for its resemblance to Daisy’s eruption style on a reduced scale.
Watching for the Warning Signs
Daisy has small indicator cones on either side of its main vent that give observant visitors a heads-up before an eruption. The smaller of the two cones typically starts erupting about 20 to 30 minutes before Daisy itself goes off, while the larger cone joins in anywhere from a few minutes to about 15 minutes before the main event. Watching these two indicator cones is a reliable way to gauge how close Daisy is to erupting, even without checking a posted prediction time.
Its Connection to Splendid Geyser
Daisy is part of a cluster known as the Daisy Group, which also includes Splendid Geyser, Comet Geyser, and Brilliant Pool — all of which share an underlying connection to the same geothermal plumbing system. Splendid Geyser, capable of reaching heights up to 200 feet when active, has a notably inverse relationship with Daisy: when Splendid is active, Daisy’s normally predictable interval becomes erratic, and the two geysers may erupt separately or, on rare occasions, together in a dramatic “concert” eruption that can push Splendid’s height even higher, to around 250 feet. Splendid has been dormant since May 1998, which is part of why Daisy has remained one of the park’s more dependable, predictable geysers in recent years.
Disrupted by a Distant Earthquake
Daisy’s interval isn’t always affected only by nearby geothermal activity — geological events far outside the park can shift its behavior too. Following the 2002 Denali earthquake in Alaska, Daisy’s eruption interval rapidly decreased before gradually returning to its previous pattern over the following weeks, illustrating how sensitive Yellowstone’s geyser systems can be to seismic activity even from a significant distance.
Join The Discussion
Daisy’s predictable schedule and distinctive angled eruption make it a favorite stop for visitors timing their day around Yellowstone’s geyser predictions. Have you seen Daisy Geyser erupt, or timed your visit around the indicator cones to catch it? Share your experience, photos-worthy moments, or tips for visitors hoping to catch this one along the path to Morning Glory Pool.
