Golden Orange Sunset High-temp Terraces, Yellowstone National Park

High-temp terraces

Besides these golden-brown tones, the microbial mats surrounding the Grand Prismatic Spring also appear in bright greens, reds, and yellows during broad daylight. Should you get a chance to visit this Yellowstone hotspot at sunset, after the buzzing daily crowds thin, the terrace-like layers of microscopic life are still a compelling sight. These tiny yet hardy critters thrive in a spring that in some spots hits 188 degrees Fahrenheit—24 degrees shy of boiling, but still hot enough to pose extreme danger. So as the sun dips past the ridgeline and the sky dims, watch your step and don't slip.