Old Faithful typically erupts every 35 to 120 minutes and its show usually lasts for one-and-a-half to five minutes. On the day we were there the 200-degree water reached 160 feet, which is on the higher end of the spectrum. Observers sit on benches 300 feet from the geyser. We watched two daredevils attempt to get closer and a park ranger immediately whipped out her ticket book and fined them. Lesson learned, watch from afar.