Visiting Yellowstone National Park for 2 days and wondering where to go and how to best plan your time? In this guide, we share a detailed Yellowstone 2 day itinerary & map that will ensure that you don’t miss any of the musts and help you make the most of your short visit. Find out!
Yellowstone is one of the biggest and most diverse National Parks in the US. There is so much to see and do! The good news is that the park has a very convenient loop road allowing you to see all the main highlights in a relatively short time. In this article, we share our best tips on how to spend two days in Yellowstone.
With 2 days in Yellowstone, we suggest that you visit the western side of the Yellowstone loop on one day and the eastern side the other day. That way, you can see all the main attractions of Yellowstone without having to drive up and down too much.
TIP: If you have more time in Yellowstone, please check our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions – it contains tips for shorter and longer trips as well.
Below, you can find our tips on how to best spend two days in Yellowstone National Park. To make your travel planning easier, we also included a map, a suggested itinerary, and some practical tips
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Yellowstone
Yellowstone Two Days Itinerary – OVERVIEW
Here is a short overview of the best way to spend two days in Yellowstone. Further below, you can find all the details and info for each place, plus practical tips and also suggestions for where to stay.
How to see the best of Yellowstone in 2 days:
DAY 1:
Old Faithful
Upper Geyser Basin
Grand Prismatic Spring
Norris Geyser Basin (optional)
Mammoth Hot Springs
Stay in Mammoth Springs/ Gardiner area
DAY 2:
Undine Falls and/or Wraith Falls (optional)
Lamar Valley
Tower Fall
Dunraven Pass
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Hayden Valley
Mud Volcano (optional)
Yellowstone Lake – West Thumb Geyser Basin
Good to know: The reason why we recommend doing the trip this way instead of doing the Lower Loop of Yellowstone one day and the Upper Loop the other day, is because it gives you more time to explore the Upper Geyser Basin on one day and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on the other day.
Both of these areas have a lot to offer and they are both located along the Lower Loop. So if you visit them both on the same day, you’ll have to rush through them.
TIP: This is a self-guided Yellowstone itinerary, but you can also make a similar organized trip as well. If you have 2 days in Yellowstone and want to see the very best of the park with a local guide, consider this highly-rated Yellowstone 2-day/1 night tour (departs from Jackson, WY, or from Teton Village). It has a very complete itinerary including all the main highlights as well as many less-known places. It would be very hard to see that much on your own…
Important: This is a summer itinerary, approximately from mid-May to mid-October when all the roads in Yellowstone are open. Always check the official park website for the most up-to-date information about road conditions, the areas that are closed, or planned works!
For more information about visiting Yellowstone in different seasons, please read our guide to the best time to visit Yellowstone.
Map of Yellowstone 2 Day Itinerary
To make it easier to plan your time, I created a map indicating everything that you should be able to see in Yellowstone in two days.
You can do this trip arriving via the South Entrance (coming from Jackson/Grand Teton NP) or via the West Entrance (coming from Bozeman/ West Yellowstone). Ideally, you spend a night at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel or in Gardiner (a small town just outside the North Entrance of Yellowstone).
Depending on where you enter and leave the park and also where your accommodation is, you’ll have to adjust this itinerary a bit. But it gives you a good idea of what can be done in Yellowstone in 2 days.
How to use this map: Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.
Here’s our suggested Yellowstone 2-day itinerary:
Day 1
Old Faithful & Upper Geyser Basin
Upper Geyser Basin, aka the Old Faithful area, is the most popular place in Yellowstone. It’s here that you’ll find the historic Old Faithful Inn and the biggest best-predictable geyser in Yellowstone, the Old Faithful Geyser. This area is a must in any Yellowstone itinerary!
The Old Faithful Geyser erupts at quite regular intervals of about 90 minutes. Eruption times are displayed at the Visitor Center and in several different places throughout the park.
While you wait for Old Faithful to erupt, make sure to visit the Old Faithful Inn. Its wooden interior is just as impressive as the exterior.
READ MORE: Old Faithful Geyser
While most visitors never go beyond these two main landmarks, I suggest that you explore a bit more of the Upper Geyser Basin. It’s an incredible area with the largest concentration of geysers and geothermal features in the world.
In addition to the Old Faithful geyser, there are 4 other big geysers that can be predicted with some reliability: Riverside Geyser, Castle Geyser, Daisy Geyser, and Grand Geyser. Predicted eruption times for these geysers can also be found at the Visitor Center, so note them down and go geyser-hunting!
This area also has many smaller geysers, mud pools, fumaroles, and colorful geothermal springs. So even if you don’t catch any big geysers in action, it’s still very much worth visiting.
Good to know: 3-4 hours should be enough to see the main highlights of the Upper Geyser Basin. Depending on your interests, I suggest that you plan to spend 2-4 hours here. That way, you still have plenty of time for the other attractions.
READ MORE: Upper Geyser Basin
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring is the highlight of any trip to Yellowstone. This huge hot spring is best known for its incredible colors. And yes, it’s just as colorful in reality as in the pictures!
Count at least half an hour to visit the Midway Geyser Basin, including the Grand Prismatic Spring, Excelsior Geyser Crater, Turquoise Pool, and Opal Pool. However, if it’s really busy here, it might take you an hour or even longer.
TIP: If you don’t mind a short walk, I recommend hiking to the Grand Prismatic Overlook. This easy hike brings you to a higher elevation point from which you can see the Grand Prismatic Spring from above. You’ll need 30-45 minutes for this hike.
READ MORE: Grand Prismatic Spring
Norris Geyser Basin
The hottest geyser basin of Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin is another good place to see all kinds of geothermal features. However, in my view, it’s not as impressive as the Upper Geyser Basin (the Old Faithful area) or the Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic area). So with limited time in Yellowstone, don’t feel bad if you don’t make it here.
If you find at least an hour extra in your itinerary, consider a stop here. You should know that Norris Geyser Basin is very big and is comprised of two sections – Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin.
With just an hour here, I suggest that you visit the Porcelain Basin. It has a barren landscape with steaming vents, a few hot springs, and lots of bubbling and boiling geothermal features. The main loop boardwalk is about 0.5-mile long and is probably the best thing to do here if you’re short on time.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Located in the North of Yellowstone, the Mammoth Hot Springs area couldn’t be more different from any other place in the park. If you have to choose between Norris Geyser Basin or Mammoth Hot Springs, I’d definitely suggest the latter. It’s a very unique place and it doesn’t require that much time to visit.
The Mammoth Hot Springs area has two parts connected by boardwalks and stairs – the Mammoth Lower Terraces area at the bottom and the Mammoth Upper Terraces area on the hill. It takes about half an hour to explore the lower part and about that much time for the upper terraces.
The main highlights of Mammoth Hot Springs are Minerva Terrace, Palette Spring, Liberty Cap, and Canary Spring.
If you are not keen on doing stairs, explore the lower part on foot and then drive up the hill and see some parts of the Upper Terraces from the car. It’s not the same as walking, but you can see some interesting places right next to the road. A lot depends on the traffic and on the parking situation. Ideally, you leave the car at one of the parking areas at the bottom and simply walk everywhere.
READ MORE: What to See at Mammoth Hot Springs
Boiling River
Update: Please note that Boiling River is currently closed and it is not clear if it will ever reopen. The area was severely damaged during the 2022 floods. As mentioned before, it’s essential to check the official website for any closures or planned works before planning a trip, as well as a few days before you go.
Boiling River is one of a few places where you can swim in Yellowstone. A soak in the warm waters here is the best way to relax after the whole day of sightseeing. However, it’s not always open, so it depends a bit on the weather and the season when you visit.
If you feel like going for a swim and have at least an hour to spare when visiting the Mammoth Hot Springs area, then definitely check it out!
For more information and practical details, please check our guide below.
READ MORE: Boiling River
Stay in Gardiner, MT
This itinerary brings you to the northern part of Yellowstone National Park at the end of day one. If you can secure accommodation inside the park, consider staying at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.
A cheaper alternative is staying in Gardiner, just outside of the Yellowstone entrance gates. This town has several nice hotels and accommodations and offers a great price-quality ratio. Furthermore, hotels inside the park don’t have Wi-Fi, so for that, Gardiner is also better. For example, Yellowstone Riverside Cottages is an excellent choice here, also for big families.
TIP: Using the map below, you can also compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in Gardiner. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see what’s still available for your stay. Check it out!
READ ALSO: Best Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park
Day 2
If you spend the night at Gardiner, as suggested above, I would recommend starting your second day in Yellowstone with an early morning drive to Lamar Valley. On the way there, you can also see some waterfalls.
Undine Falls & Wraith Falls
Undine Falls is a beautiful waterfall that is visible from the Grand Loop Road in the direction of Roosevelt/Tower. You can find this waterfall on your left, about 4 miles southeast of Mammoth.
Visiting this waterfall doesn’t require much time, so definitely worth a short stop when passing by.
Continue further in the direction of Tower Junction. In about one mile, you’ll see a small parking area on your right. This is Wraith Falls trailhead.
A hike to Wraith Falls is short and easy. It takes just 10-15 minutes each way, so you need about half an hour here.
If you like waterfalls and it’s been raining recently, it’s definitely worth a short visit. However, if you rather drive straight to Lamar Vally, you can also skip this waterfall. We were here in summer and the waterfall wasn’t really impressive, we found. It’s a nice hidden gem of Yellowstone, but don’t feel bad if you miss it.
Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley is the best place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. Early morning is a great time to be here, especially if you want a higher chance to see wolves or bears. We saw hundreds of bison here, a couple of coyotes, and also some elk.
Lamar Valley is a bit off the way for most tourists and so most people never come here. However, the scenery of Lamar Valley is simply breathtaking and wildlife viewing is some of the best in America. So I really recommend that you make a small effort to get up earlier and visit this unique place!
If you follow this itinerary as suggested, it’s really not a big detour. Lamar Valley is about 30 miles/ 1-hour drive from the Mammoth area. I suggest that you drive through the entire valley and back. There are some pull-offs near the road where you can stop to watch wildlife. Often you’ll see plenty of wildlife from your car. After you visit here, you can continue in the direction of Yellowstone Canyon.
Tower Fall
Tower Fall is one of the most popular waterfalls in Yellowstone. It’s a beautiful waterfall and very easy to see. The viewpoint is located 100 yards from the Tower General Store and it only takes a few minutes to visit.
There is also a trail leading to the base of the waterfall. However, it was partially closed when we visited and based on what I’m reading, it’s still not possible to hike all the way to the bottom of this waterfall.
Anyway, with just two days in Yellowstone, I suggest that you simply visit the Tower Fall viewpoint and move on to explore the more impressive Yellowstone canyon area.
TIP: If you need to stock up on food or drinks for lunch, you can do it here as well. The next place with shops and restaurants is Canyon Village.
Grand Loop Road & Dunraven Pass
From Tower Fall, drive south in the direction of Canyon Village. This part of Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road is probably the most scenic drive in Yellowstone. Along the way, you’ll pass impressive basalt columns and Dunraven Pass with spectacular views as far as an eye can see.
They say that this area is also great for seeing bears, but we drove here twice, also at the prime wildlife viewing time at dusk, and had no luck. But you never know – drive slowly, enjoy the scenery, and keep an eye out for bears.
TIP: Along this road, there is a parking area with some informational panels. From here, you can see the caldera of the Yellowstone volcano. A huge part of Yellowstone National Park is actually a volcano and it’s best visible from Dunraven Pass.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is another highlight of your second day in Yellowstone. This is the place where you’ll want to spend more time. The impressive canyon can be seen from several viewpoints along both rims and it’s well worth visiting all the viewpoints because the scenery is quite different from each of them.
With two days in the park, I think that you can easily allocate at least 3 hours for Yellowstone Canyon. That should give you enough time to drive to all the viewpoints and – if interested – also make a short hike along the rim.
The best view over the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is from the Artist Point at the end of the South Rim Drive. North Rim also has some great views over the canyon. The main stops here are the Brink of the Upper Falls, the Brink of the Lower Falls, Inspiration Point, Lookout Point, and Grand View.
Good to know: It’s hard to estimate how much time you’ll need here in advance because it all depends on how busy it is. So adjust your schedule as you go.
READ MORE: Best Things to Do at the Yellowstone Canyon
Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley is another great place to see wildlife in Yellowstone. However, it’s incomparably busier than Lamar Valley, so be prepared for the bison traffic jams here. If it’s quiet, don’t rush through the valley!
There are many pull-offs where you can park your car and watch wildlife. If you see a group of people or cars together, chances are big that they have spotted some animals. Just be careful and don’t go too close to wild animals!
You’ll have to pass Hayden Valley on your way to the Yellowstone Lake area, so keep in mind that there might be long delays, and plan your time accordingly. Normally, it takes about half an hour to drive from Canyon Village to Yellowstone Lake, but if there are lots of bison and lots of cars, this drive of less than 20 miles can take you up to 1.5 hours.
TIP: Try not to fret about the traffic and just enjoy all the wildlife around you! Often, you can see lots of bison very close to you and it’s a great opportunity to observe these giant animals from the safety of your car.
Mud Volcano & Dragon’s Mouth Spring
The Mud Volcano area is another popular stop between Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Lake. There are quite some geothermal features here, mainly sprouting mud pools.
We found this area less interesting than most other geothermal areas in Yellowstone, but if you have some time, it’s a nice stop along the way. If not, just drive by and don’t feel bad about it; you’re really not missing much.
Probably the most impressive and worth seeing is the Dragon’s Mouth Spring. Hot steam comes out from a sort of cave, making a steaming and roaring sound in the process. Some people say that this sound makes them think of a dragon; thus the name. Don’t worry, there is no dragon lurking in there! But it’s a fascinating sound indeed.
There are boardwalks and you can make the whole loop here passing more geothermal features with special names: Grizzly Fumarole, Black Dragons Caldron, Churning Caldron, Mud Caldron, and Sizzling Basin. If you only want to see the Dragon’s Mouth Spring, you can do it in 5-10 minutes. Count about half an hour for the whole loop.
Yellowstone Lake & West Thumb Geyser Basin
Yellowstone Lake is large and there are lots of things to do here. However, by the time you reach it, you won’t have much time to explore the lake. And that’s ok – all the other areas of Yellowstone that we included in this itinerary are even more special and worth your time!
For a short visit at Yellowstone Lake, we recommend that you head to the West Thumb Geyser Basin, just along the shores of the lake.
Located on the west side of the lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin is a very colorful geothermal area. It’s quite compact and doesn’t require more than 30-45 minutes. Furthermore, you can easily explore the entire place following a short loop trail on wooden boardwalks. This is a really nice area to end your two days in Yellowstone.
Continue Your Trip
Following this itinerary, you’ll end your second day at the southern end of Yellowstone. You have several options where to go – east to Cody, south to Grand Teton NP, west to West Yellowstone, or north to Gardiner.
Teton Village and Jackson Hole are the biggest towns in the Grand Teton area with the most accommodation options and the best facilities. They are both about 50 miles/ 1-hour drive from the South Entrance of Yellowstone.
LEARN MORE: Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole
Cody is the biggest town to stay in if you are heading east. It’s about 50 miles/ 1-hour drive from Yellowstone East Entrance.
If you are heading north after visiting Yellowstone, then you probably best drive to West Yellowstone (50 miles/ 1,5 hrs from West Thumb Geyser Basin) or back to Gardiner (75 miles/ 2,5 hrs from West Thumb Geyser Basin).
READ ALSO: Yellowstone – Grand Teton Itinerary
Tips for a Better Experience
- Start your days as early as possible! Keep in mind that driving distances in Yellowstone are big, speed limits are low, and you may also lose time when looking for parking at the main landmarks.
- Pack a picnic lunch and water. It will save you time and give you more flexibility.
- Stay close to the park or inside the park. See our accommodation suggestions in the itinerary above. Here you can find more information about the best places to stay in and near Yellowstone.
- Be flexible. If you notice that you are running ahead of schedule, explore a bit deeper (places we marked as ‘optional’). On the other hand, if it’s really busy and you are running out of time, concentrate on the main landmarks only.
- Don’t try to plan every minute of your day. You simply can’t prepare for everything in advance. Foresee some extra time for unexpected wildlife encounters, erupting geysers, etc.
LEARN MORE: Yellowstone Travel Tips
FAQ
Yellowstone National Park is huge, very diverse, and has a lot to offer. So you cannot see everything in the park in just two days. However, if you plan well, you can visit all the main highlights of Yellowstone in 2 days. You won’t have the time to explore everything in detail, but you’ll be able to see the most famous places and get a good idea of what Yellowstone is about.
If you have 2 days for Yellowstone, it’s best to visit two different sides of the park each day. You can either visit the Lower Loop on day 1 and Upper Loop on day 2, or – as recommended in the 2-day Yellowstone itinerary above – visit the western side of the park on one day and the eastern side on the other.
READ ALSO: How to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in one trip
More information for visiting Yellowstone:
- Overview: Yellowstone Travel Guide
- When to go: Best Time to Visit Yellowstone NP
- What to see: Things to Do in Yellowstone
- Where to stay: Best Places to Stay in & near Yellowstone & Best Hotels & Cabins near Yellowstone
- Tours: Best Yellowstone Tours
- Summer trip: Tips for Visiting Yellowstone in July and August
- For families: Yellowstone with Kids
- Packing: What to Pack for Yellowstone in Summer
Is Yellowstone part of a bigger road trip? Take a look at these guides as well:
- Grand Teton NP: One Day in Grand Teton National Park
- Glacier NP: Glacier National Park Itinerary
- Mount Rushmore: Complete Guide to Visiting Mount Rushmore
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Lisa
Sunday 24th of March 2024
This is awesome and SO helpful!! We are planning a trip out there at the end of June (coming from Florida and flying into Denver). We'd like to see other places while out there (Grand Teton, Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave, etc). So we'll only have a full 2 days in Yellowstone. Of course we can't see everything, but we'll definitely use this so we can see as much as possible. Do you have this in a printable version? Thanks so much!
Jurga
Monday 25th of March 2024
Hi Lisa, no, unfortunately, we do not have a printable version of this article, but you can always use Ctrl+p if you absolutely need to print it. Your trip sounds great. Enjoy it!
Mandy
Sunday 3rd of March 2024
This is so very helpful! How would I do this itinerary if I come from Jackson and will head north after Yellowston? Would I do the east or west side first? And where would be best to spend the 1st vs. 2nd night? Thanks so much for your help!
Jurga
Monday 4th of March 2024
Hi Mandy, the best way to plan this would depend on the accommodation that you can find and where exactly you will continue your trip. Staying in Gardiner for one or even two nights would likely be one of the best places for you, if there's still availability for your travel dates. If you could still find a room at Canyon Lodge inside the park, that would also be a great place to stay. If you come from Jackson, you can just head straight to Yellowstone from there. Be sure to start your day really early! It doesn't matter that much which side of the park you do first, east or west. You could also do the south loop on day one and concentrate more on the northern part of the park on day 2. Just see what makes sense time and distance-wise based on accommodation availability.
Marty
Monday 4th of September 2023
I've booked 3 nights at Canyon Village for June 2024. I chose Canyon Village because I can do the lower loop on one day and the upper on the next. Canyon Village minimizes the overlap of roads. The only overlap of roads will be the Canyon Village to Morris road which doesn't have the sightseeing stops. Old Faithful or Mammoth would require doubling up on a North-South road unless you do it as a figure 8.
Marty
Tuesday 5th of September 2023
@Jurga, When I started visiting the NPs, I soon learned to plan ahead. The early bird gets the worm, so to speak. Thus, I started in June for next year. It has enabled me to book reservations in the Big 3 and close to the other 5 parks between Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. It also helps to schedule the Big 3 for week days, if possible. I'm sure you know that. Perhaps the suggestion of planning/reserving ahead (maybe as much as a year) could be added to your "Stay close to the Park or inside the Park" comment. Xanterra allows cancellations up to 30 days prior.
Jurga
Tuesday 5th of September 2023
Canyon Lodge is one of the most centrally located accommodations in Yellowstone and an excellent choice if you can secure a reservation. We also stayed there and the location is great for exploring all the areas of the park. So you made a good choice, Marty. But the majority of our readers still plan their trips last minute and then staying anywhere inside the park is not an option. Even finding something not too far from the park is not always easy. This itinerary takes that into account helping people to make the most of their short visit in the most efficient way. If you have more time in the park, you better concentrate on different areas each day to limit the driving rather than doing the whole south loop or north loop every time. You can find some itinerary suggestions for a longer trip in this article. Enjoy your trip!
Paul
Friday 11th of August 2023
Hi, I have booked a hotel in west Yellowstone from 9/4 to 9/11. So i have like 5 days to try to do all Yellowstone and hopefully some of Teton park. My question is, will it be ok to stay at this hotel in west Yellowstone every night do the north loop then come back to hotel, 2nd day do South loop then come back to hotel? Is it too long to drive or do I have to book a hotel somewhere at the end of everyday? thank you for your informational website.
Jurga
Sunday 13th of August 2023
Hi Paul, there is not one 'best' place to stay for the entire park, but since lodging is limited, West Yellowstone is one of the best options unless you can also find something inside the park for a few nights. Be sure to start your days early so that you can make the most of your time, especially if driving to the areas that are further away. Please see our guide on where to stay in Yellowstone for more information. I also recommend you check our Yellowstone travel tips. For Grand Teton, you may want to stay closer to that area, although the options are limited there too and most accommodations inside the park are long booked up. Many people stay in Jackson Hole or Teton Village. Have a great trip!
Elizabeth
Thursday 27th of July 2023
For those reading this to research for 2023 (and beyond) the Boiling River swim area is permanently closed. My kids were crushed to find this out after we were already enroute. The 2022 floods permanently changed the course of the river.
Jurga
Friday 28th of July 2023
Hi Elizabeth, yes indeed, it's been closed for a while now. We do our best to update our destination guides whenever something like this happens, and you would have seen it if you checked the Boiling River article that was linked from this post. But it's practically impossible for us to update every single article every time something changes (and it happens all the time) and that's why we always encourage to check the current situation page on the official websites of any destination/attraction for the latest updates. That said, I just updated this and a few other guides for the Boiling River specifically since some people don't think to click further for more details... Hope you had a great time in Yellowstone nonetheless.