Golden Hour at Grand Prismatic Spring
Wyoming, United States — Largest hot spring in the US with vivid rainbow mineral colors.
Golden hour at Grand Prismatic Spring varies from 48 minutes in the morning to 48 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:56 in January to 07:53 in December. Largest hot spring in the US with vivid rainbow mineral colors. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:56 | 17:08 | 46m | 46m | 119° ESE | 241° WSW |
| Feb | 07:23 | 17:50 | 41m | 41m | 107° ESE | 253° WSW |
| Mar | 07:35 | 19:28 | 38m | 39m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 06:39 | 20:07 | 39m | 39m | 75° ENE | 285° WNW |
| May | 05:55 | 20:43 | 42m | 42m | 62° ENE | 298° WNW |
| Jun | 05:37 | 21:09 | 45m | 45m | 55° NE | 305° NW |
| Jul | 05:52 | 21:06 | 43m | 43m | 58° ENE | 302° WNW |
| Aug | 06:26 | 20:29 | 40m | 40m | 69° ENE | 291° WNW |
| Sep | 07:02 | 19:35 | 38m | 38m | 85° E | 275° W |
| Oct | 07:38 | 18:40 | 40m | 40m | 101° ESE | 259° W |
| Nov | 07:19 | 16:55 | 44m | 44m | 116° ESE | 244° WSW |
| Dec | 07:53 | 16:44 | 48m | 48m | 123° ESE | 237° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Grand Prismatic Spring?
- Golden hour at Grand Prismatic Spring varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 48m and evening 48m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Grand Prismatic Spring?
- Sunrise ranges from 07:56 in January to 07:53 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Grand Prismatic Spring?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 123° ESE in winter to 55° NE in summer. Sunset shifts from 237° WSW to 305° NW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Grand Prismatic Spring?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Grand Prismatic Spring?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 07:16. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Grand Prismatic Spring?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Is Grand Prismatic Spring good for astrophotography?
- Milky Way core visibility is limited from Grand Prismatic Spring due to latitude or light conditions. However, star trails and constellation photography are possible year-round during astronomical darkness. Use Heliora to check dark sky hours for your planned date.
Nearby Locations
- Glacier National Park 522 km
- Arches National Park 652 km
- Bryce Canyon 779 km
- Vermilion Lakes 821 km
- Zion National Park 824 km