16 Absolute Best Things to Do in Yellowstone (+Map & Tips)
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Are you planning your first trip to Yellowstone National Park and wondering what are the absolute best things to see and do in Yellowstone? You came to the right place!
In this post we cover all the main attractions and landmarks of Yellowstone National Park. Places that are not to be missed in America’s oldest National Park. In addition, we also share a beautiful less known place that you have probably never heard about. It became one of our absolute favorite places in Yellowstone, so I think it deserves to be included on this best of Yellowstone list as well. You can read all about it all the way at the end of this post.
This is not a complete list of things to do in Yellowstone – it would be impossible to make one. But if you are looking for the best of the best, must-see places in Yellowstone, then this is it. Find out!
Good to know: In order to help you to make the most of your trip, we also included some practical tips for your visit, tips for where to stay, and a map indicating all the main Yellowstone attractions mentioned in this article. You can find them at the bottom of this article.
TIP: If you just want to see the main highlights of Yellowstone without having to plan anything, check out these highly-rated small-group day tours – they cover all the main landmarks of Yellowstone in 1-4 days. If you wonder how to plan your own trip, please check our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions for any trip from 1 to 5 days.
READ ALSO: Best Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park
These are the very best places to see and things to do in Yellowstone National Park:
1. Grand Prismatic Spring
If there is one place that you really have to see in Yellowstone, it is the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring, the star of the Midway Geyser Basin. It is not only the largest hot spring in the United States (and the third largest in the world), but also one of the most unique natural wonders on the planet. It is also the best recognized and most photographed landmark of Yellowstone.
No matter how many times you saw the Grand Prismatic on pictures, it’s only when you stand there that you realize how large it actually is. It’s bigger than a football field and deeper than a 10-story building.
Chances are big that your trip to Yellowstone has been inspired by all those incredibly beautiful images of the Grand Prismatic Spring photographed directly from above that you see in so many travel guides and TV documentaries…
If you come here with such high expectations, then seeing this famous landmark in real life might disappoint you a bit. No matter how much you try, you can never get the same view of the Grand Prismatic as in those famous photographs. However, Grand Prismatic Spring is still absolutely incredible and it is also just as colorful in reality as it is in the pictures. If you come here on a sunny day, the rainbow of colors will take your breath away!
Just in case you wonder, the Grand Prismatic hot spring gets its multi-color layers from different species of heat-loving bacteria that live around it. The deep center is blue, then you have green and yellow tints, followed by lots of orange on the cooler outskirts.
Needless to say that Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most popular attractions of Yellowstone. It’s one of the few places in the park where we saw big tour buses, so no matter when you visit, expect it to be busy.
Probably the best way to avoid the crowds is to come very early in the morning or late in the evening. However, I read that the colors of the Spring are at their brightest on a sunny warm day, so we decided to go in the middle of the day.
On cooler days, but also early in the mornings and in the evening, steam can cover the spring, making it more difficult to see how colorful it really is. Colors will also be duller if you visit on a cloudy day. Still, no matter the weather or the conditions, seeing the Grand Prismatic is a must, one of the absolute best things to do in Yellowstone!
Practical information: Plan 1-2 hours for the visit. Park your car at the Grand Prismatic Spring parking lot at Midway Geyser Basin. Expect the parking lot to be very busy, especially if you come in the middle of the day in summer as we did. Some people just park next to the road, but I’m not sure if it’s allowed. We didn’t want to park next to the road and waited for around 20 minutes before we could enter the parking (so not too bad, considering this is the busiest area in the park).
TIP: These organized tours also visit Grand Prismatic (and other main landmarks of Yellowstone). Coming with a tour, you can visit all these places much faster because you don’t have to waste time finding a parking spot. The driver will take care of the car/minibus while you’re enjoying the scenery.
Accessibility: Midway Geyser Basin is wheelchair-accessible – it’s all boardwalks, from where you can see the Grand Prismatic Spring up close. These boardwalks will also take you past the other main features of Midway Geyser Basin including Excelsior Geyser, Opal Pool, and Turquoise Pool.
Interesting to know. Note that this area has no shade and it’s also very windy. In summer you may want to take sun protection, just please hold on to your hats. We saw so many sun hats in the hot spring, which is really sad because most of them can never be retrieved and therefore pollute this unique geothermal area.
TIP: The best way to truly appreciate the size and the uniqueness of the Grand Prismatic Spring is to see it from above. Please note that drones are forbidden in Yellowstone (more info here). For the best aerial view, you can visit the recently opened Grand Prismatic Viewing Platform which is accessible via the Fairy Falls trail that opens in late May. The view from here is unparalleled.
It’s really worth making an extra effort to see the Grand Prismatic from above! This is one of those places that you just have to see when in Yellowstone!
The hike up to the overlook isn’t very long or hard (1.2 miles (1.9 km) round trip) and the entire hike takes about 45-60 minutes (round trip). The last section is a little steep and uneven, so you probably want to wear hiking shoes and definitely take some water with you.
MORE INFO: Complete Guide to Visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring
2. Old Faithful Geyser
One of Yellowstone’s most remarkable landmarks – Old Faithful Geyser – is another absolute must in the park. Most famous and the most predictable out of nearly 500 Yellowstone geysers, Old Faithful was the first one to receive a name. It was named during the 1870 Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition, which also led to the establishment of the Yellowstone National Park in 1872.
The Old Faithful geyser is still as faithful today as it was 150 years ago. It erupts in more or less regular intervals of around 90 minutes and is, therefore, one of the geysers that are easy to see in action.
Every time we were waiting for the OF, it erupted 10-15 minutes later than expected, so you need to be patient. The good news is that the eruption usually takes long enough to admire the geyser and take plenty of photos.
Together with the Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful is one of the most popular attractions of Yellowstone. No matter what time you come, it will always be busy. On the other hand, the Upper Geyser Basin area is very big, so there is plenty of parking available and the crowds spread out.
Interesting to know: If you want the best spot at the front row on one of the benches surrounding the Old Faithful, you may want to come at least 20-30 minutes before the predicted eruption time. However, it’s not really necessary – you can see the geyser quite well from a distance as well.
Practical information: If you are lucky to see the OF erupt just as you arrive, you can visit in just half an hour. However, I suggest that you plan at least 2-3 hours for a visit to this area (see the Upper Geyser Basin section below for more information). The Old Faithful area is huge and has all the facilities that you may need: a visitor center, bathrooms, a petrol station, but also shops and restaurants.
TIP: Check the predicted eruption time for Old Faithful immediately when you arrive. If it’s a long wait, explore the Upper Geyser Basin first. Otherwise, explore it after you see Old Faithful in action. In any case, don’t miss it.
MORE INFO: Complete Guide to Visiting the Old Faithful
3. Upper Geyser Basin & Morning Glory Pool
Upper Geyser Basin, home to the above-mentioned Old Faithful geyser, contains around 25% of the world’s geysers. This is a beautiful area with lots of walking paths passing many geysers and thermal features.
Make sure you take some time to explore the Upper Geyser Basin beyond the Old Faithful!
While there are always lots of people at the OF, the rest of this area is so much quieter. Un-understandable, as the Upper Geyser Basin is definitely one of the best places to see in Yellowstone!
There are too many features in this area to even mention them all; at the same time, some geysers might not be noteworthy when they are dormant.
I suggest you just take a walk through the Upper Geyser Basin all the way to the Morning Glory Pool. We were lucky to be there at the time when several geysers were predicted to go and saw a few of them in action.
Our favorite spots of the Upper Geyser Basin were the Castle Geyser, Daisy Geyser, Grotto Geyser, and of course the colorful Morning Glory Pool.
The best thing? We had all these places practically to ourselves. And this was in July, which is the peak season in Yellowstone. So take all those stories about how crowded Yellowstone is with a grain of salt. 20 minutes walk from the Old Faithful and there is hardly anyone around. Walk for 30-40 minutes and you are completely alone…
Interesting to know: Please respect nature, park rules, and don’t throw any kind of objects into the geothermal features of Yellowstone. The Morning Glory Pool is sometimes referred to as ‘The Fading Glory’, because it’s losing its beautiful colors because of all kinds of objects people have been throwing in it for years.
Back in the ’50s, the water level was lowered by siphoning, which induced the pool to erupt. Park officials removed 112 different objects from Morning Glory, including socks, bath towels, and 76 handkerchiefs, plus thousands of coins* (*source YellowstoneNP).
Practical information: The entire Upper Geyser Basin Loop is about 4.5 miles (7.2 km). It is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. You don’t have to walk the entire trail and can just do parts of it. The furthest point – Morning Glory Pool – is just 1.5 miles from the Old Faithful.
TIP: At the Old Faithful Visitor Centre you can find predicted eruption times for all the (predictable) geysers of the Upper Geyser Basin. Check it out before you set on the walk – you might be lucky to catch a couple of geysers in action!
It’s actually not as easy as it sounds, because most other geysers aren’t as easy to predict as the OF. But at least you know in which direction to look if a particular geyser is expected to go soon. Also, once they start going, some of them last several hours. That gives you enough time to get somewhat closer to the erupting geyser.
MORE INFO: Upper Geyser Basin (with Printable Map & Tips)
4. Lamar Valley
One of the absolute best things to do in Yellowstone is to watch wildlife. Lamar Valley is one of the best places to see bison and other wildlife in Yellowstone. Yet it is overlooked by most tourists due to its remote location. However, if you make an effort to drive there, you will be rewarded with the most spectacular landscapes and – indeed – lots of wildlife.
Lamar Valley is loved by wild bison and it’s very likely you’ll see hundreds if not thousands of them roaming freely around the huge plains of Lamar Valley, sometimes called the Serengeti of North America. Some parts of it indeed reminded us of African landscapes…
If you are lucky, you might also spot some elk, deer, bears, coyotes, and maybe even wolves.
TIP: If you have enough time, drive all the way through the Lamar Valley and to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone. As you drive further, the African-looking savanna gives way to the stunning mountain landscape. Spectacular scenery!
Practical information: Lamar Valley is located about 70 miles (100km) from the Old Faithful area. It will take you at least 2 hours just to get there (bison jams and other stops not included), so you really need to count at least half a day. We visited Lamar Valley in combination with Tower-Roosevelt and Mammoth Hot Springs area and it took us the whole day.
TIP: Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon for best chance to see wildlife. Don’t come here if you are short on time or in a hurry – it’s really much too far for it and delays due to wildlife on the roads are very common.
Good to know: Lamar Valley can also be visited on organized multi-day trips. The advantage is that you don’t have to drive so can devote all your attention to wildlife viewing. This 2-day trip and this 4-day trip are very popular on GetYourGuide and both visit Lamar Valley. Both tours also visit Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Canyon, so you are sure to see all the main landmarks of Yellowstone making the best use of your time.
5. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Rated as the number one place to see in Yellowstone on Trip Advisor, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is definitely a must-see in America’s oldest National Park. The reason I only put it as number 5 of things to see in Yellowstone is because I find that the other places listed above are even more special.
Nevertheless, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is one of the main landmarks of Yellowstone, one that you really shouldn’t miss. In fact, it’s one of the best places of Yellowstone that I think should be included in any Yellowstone itinerary. So even if you have just one day in Yellowstone, you should make an effort to see the canyon.
Yellowstone Canyon is over 24 miles (39 km) long, up to 4,000-feet (1,2 km) wide, and some parts are 1,200-feet (365 m) deep. There are many lookouts and walking trails along both rims of the canyon.
Depending on what you want to see and how much time you have, you can spend just one hour or the whole day here. As you can imagine, most tourists only visit the main viewpoints. So – once again – it’s really easy to escape the crowds if you are willing to walk.
The main place that everyone comes to see at the Yellowstone Canyon is the Artist Point. It’s a lookout along the South Rim offering an exceptional view over the canyon and its most famous feature, the Lower Falls. Other main points of interest easily reachable by car include Inspiration Point, the Brink of the Upper Falls, and also the Lower Falls.
One of our favorite things to do in Yellowstone was to hike the Uncle Tom’s Trail. It’s a steep stairway descent into the canyon with over 300 steps that bring you very close to the Lower Falls. However, this hike is no longer possible. Despite recently investing millions in this area’s rehabilitation, the park has closed this trail due to the deteriorating conditions of the staircase. It seems that they are not planning to reopen it any time soon.
Luckily, there are many other amazing hiking trails along the canyon. You can hike along both sides of the canyon – the North Rim and the South Rim – for magnificent views that are inaccessible otherwise. One of the nicest stretches is the 2,7 mile (4,3 km) Point Sublime trail.
Make sure to check the official NPS website for information on which trails and viewpoints are open at the time of your visit.
Hiking tip: If you want to see some of the best views of Yellowstone Canyon, there’s a very nice guided hiking tour that takes you to some of the best places. It’s also nice to go off the beaten path with a group and a local guide since this is bear territory.
TIP: Yellowstone Canyon is another extremely popular attraction in Yellowstone. So you can expect big crowds and tour buses at all the main viewpoints. I suggest going there early in the morning and starting with the most popular lookouts first.
We timed our visit to be at the Artist Point around 9.45-10 AM, as we had read that there is a good chance to see a rainbow over the waterfall at that time in summer. And so it was! Also, it was still very quiet around 10 o’clock with hardly any people around. As we made our way to the North Rim around 11 AM, it got noticeably busier.
Practical information: Plan at least an hour for one or two lookouts. I suggest allocating half a day for Yellowstone Canyon and exploring it a bit more. Keep in mind that every stop will take you longer if you come in the middle of the day when it’s really busy. Please consult the map at the end of this post for more information on where exactly all the lookouts are located.
MORE INFO: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
6. Hayden Valley
By far the most popular place to see wildlife in Yellowstone is Hayden Valley, located between Yellowstone Canyon and Yellowstone Lake.
Hayden Valley attracts lots of tourists so it can get really busy here. And if bison decide to hang around on the only road that leads through the valley, chances are big that you’ll get stuck in the bison-jam for a very long time.
It seems that bison really love showing tourists who is in charge of the place. So every time you need to pass Hayden Valley, you should be prepared for bison jams that can easily delay you by an hour.
The good news is that, despite all the traffic, bison usually still outnumber the number of people and that most of them stay next to the roads and not on them.
Hayden Valley was our first encounter with the bison in Yellowstone and we just couldn’t believe our eyes. There were bison everywhere! Actually, before our trip to Yellowstone, I wasn’t even sure if we’d get to see any bison at all. Never could I have imagined that we’d see so many of them.
TIP: The same rule counts in Hayden Valley: come early in the morning or late in the afternoon, as the animals are more active around that time. Also, keep a safe distance from bison and stay in the car if they are nearby. This is definitely the case if you see bears; you really should stay inside the car. Remember, these are all wild animals!
7. Mammoth Hot Springs
Another truly unique area of Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs is completely different than any other place in the park. When researching the best things to do in Yellowstone for our trip, I found two completely opposite opinions of whether it’s worth visiting the Mammoth Hot Springs area. We decided to give it a try and are sure glad we did.
Our experience was very positive and we really enjoyed the visit to Mammoth Springs. I find that area is so unique and so fascinating that it would be a loss not to see it when in Yellowstone. You’ll find a big variety of thermal features here, but they are very different than the ones at the Upper or the Midway Geyser Basins.
The main highlights of Mammoth Hot Springs are Minerva Terrace, Palette Spring, Liberty Cap, and also Canary Spring.
Interesting to know: Mammoth Hot Springs area consists of two parts – Mammoth Lower Terraces area at the bottom and Mammoth Upper Terraces area on the hill. The two areas are connected by boardwalks and stairs and there is also a road, Terrace Drive, that allows you to drive past it all.
Theoretically, you could just drive, make several quick stops and see it all, but in reality, it’s not feasible since the small car parking areas are congested. It’s not really necessary either, because it’s not an overly big place and it doesn’t take that long to see it all on foot.
I hiked the whole area and it took me a bit less than an hour one way. Due to the heat, my husband and kids only walked the lower trails. They then took the car up the Terrace Drive, where they picked me up.
TIP: If you are visiting this area in summer, prepare that it can get really hot. The Mammoth Hot Springs area has no shade at all.
Practical information: Plan about 1- 2 hours for the visit. Mammoth Springs area has all facilities including restaurants, shops, and a petrol station. It’s just a very short drive from the sightseeing area.
MORE INFO: Mammoth Hot Springs
8. Old Faithful Inn
Built in 1903-1904, Old Faithful Inn is one of the oldest lodges in Yellowstone and it’s also a national historic landmark. Considered the largest log structure in the world, the interior of the OF Inn is truly impressive.
You don’t have to be a guest of the hotel in order to visit this fascinating building. Just pop inside and explore the main building.
If you are interested in the history of this unique accommodation and Yellowstone, you could even join an organized tour of the lodge. Tours are free of charge and run several times a day; you can simply reserve/join a tour upon arrival.
Interesting to know: If you are looking for a place to eat, check the Bear Pit Lounge – it’s a bit of a hidden gem of Yellowstone that not many people seem to know about. Reasonably priced food and no waiting lines (which can be huge in the main restaurant at the OF Inn).
TIP: Don’t miss the outside terrace with an adjacent bar and views over the Old Faithful geyser. It’s located on the 1st floor, just above the main entrance.
Practical information: If you want to stay at the OF Inn and are traveling in high season, you’ll have to book your stay 12-18 months in advance.
MORE INFO: Guide to Yellowstone Accommodations
9. Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation (7,000 ft+) lake in North America. It freezes over completely every winter and even in summer the water temperature is too low to swim in it.
Therefore, the lake is best explored by boat: you can join a guided scenic boat tour, rent a boat, go fishing, or kayaking. Here you can book a kayak tour on Yellowstone Lake and here you can book a private fishing tour.
There are also many hiking trails that lead to the shores of the lake; we hiked to Storm Point and it was so beautiful!
Yellowstone Lake is one of the best places you have to see in Yellowstone, but if you’re short on time, you can just make a quick stop here.
Interesting to know: The historic Lake Yellowstone Hotel built in 1891 is the oldest lodge in Yellowstone. You don’t have to stay here in order to visit it, but if you want to stay here in high season, you’ll have to book more than a year in advance.
TIP: The hotel has a nice upscale restaurant, but if you just want lake views and good food at reasonable prices, you better check the Lake Lodge Cafeteria.
Practical information: It’s difficult to say how much time you need to see the Yellowstone Lake area. You can spend just an hour or half a day, but you can also stay here the whole day or even longer. If you are short on time, take a scenic boat trip (1 hour) and spend some time at the Lake Hotel.
Make sure to also visit the West Thumb Geyser Basin (see below). It really depends on your interests and on how much time you have in Yellowstone.
10. West Thumb Geyser Basin
One of the smallest geothermal areas of Yellowstone, West Thumb Geyser Basin, is not to be missed!
Located on the western side of Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin offers a good view of the lake and has some interesting thermal features, including some that are in the lake itself.
The West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail is an easy wheelchair-accessible short walk (0,6 miles – 1,1 km) that takes about half an hour. It follows the lakeshore and passes several thermal features, including Abyss Pool, Yellowstone’s deepest hydrothermal pool. If you feel like walking just a bit more, there are two hiking trails nearby – Duck Lake and Lake Overlook.
Interesting to know: Bison, elk, and bears are frequently seen in this area as well. But it’s unlikely to run into them during the day – for that you should come early in the morning or around sunset.
TIP: If you arrive in Yellowstone through the South Entrance, it’s likely that West Thumb Geyser Basin will be your first introduction to Yellowstone. I can’t imagine a better way to start your trip in Yellowstone – it will take your breath away! However, if you come here after you have seen the more impressive Upper and the Midway Geyser Basins, you might be a bit disappointed.
Practical information: Count 30 minutes to an hour for the West Thumb Geyser Basin trail loop with stops at its major features.
11. Norris Geyser Basin
Of all the best things you can do in Yellowstone, I wouldn’t put Norris Geyser Basin as the first priority. However, it’s still one of the best places of Yellowstone. So if you have enough time to also cover all the other Yellowstone attractions mentioned above, don’t miss it.
Ideally, you come here before you have seen the Upper and the Midway Geyser Basins. Norris Geyser Basin isn’t as impressive as the other two, so if you see it first, you’ll appreciate it more. But if you first visit the other places, you might be somewhat disappointed.
The hottest geyser basin of Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin is comprised of two sections – Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin.
Porcelain Basin has a very barren landscape with lots of steaming vents, spouting geysers (small ones), bubbling and boiling geothermal features, and quite a few turquoise blue hot springs. You can explore the whole area on boardwalks: the main loop is about half a mile (800 m) long, the whole Porcelain Basin trail is 1,1 miles (1,7 km) long. Please note that this area has no shade and can get really warm in summer.
Back Basin couldn’t be more different from the adjacent Porcelain Basin! It’s located in a pine forest with plenty of shade and also some amazing hydrothermal features. The star of this area is the largest active geyser in the world, Steamboat Geyser. Its last major eruption dates from 1991, but you can usually see it in action spitting water up to 40ft.
The entire Back Basin trail is 1,75 miles (2,8 km) and is therefore much less visited by tourists than the Porcelain Basin which doesn’t require that much walking.
Interesting to know: Norris Geyser Basin is one of those areas of Yellowstone that are constantly changing, so you never know what you’ll find.
TIP: Be prepared to walk – this area is huge, but it’s really interesting! In summer, make sure you take plenty of water and sun protection.
Practical information: Count at least 1-2 hours for a short visit. If you want to see it all, it will take you half a day. This area is also a popular stop for the tour busses and the car parking can get full really quickly, so prepare to wait or try to arrive at the less popular times.
12. Yellowstone Grand Loop Road
Grand Loop is the main road of Yellowstone National Park. Driving this scenic road is one of the best things to do in Yellowstone.
If you look at the map of Yellowstone, you’ll see that its main roads form an 8-shape that connects all the must see places of Yellowstone.
If you take the time to drive the entire scenic loop, you’ll pass all of the main Yellowstone attractions, except the Lamar Valley.
The Grand Loop is about 142 miles long (230 km) and, depending on the traffic, takes anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to complete. However, I would never advise driving the whole scenic loop of Yellowstone in just a day. There is so much to see along the way!
If you visit all the best places of Yellowstone mentioned in this article, then you’ll automatically cover the entire Grand Loop Road and more. However, to do it properly, you’ll need 3-4 days.
TIP: If you are short on time and have just one day, I suggest you drive the Lower Loop and stop at the main landmarks. If you have at least two days in Yellowstone, you could attempt the entire Grand Loop with just a few stops at the major Yellowstone attractions. Please see our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions for more information.
READ ALSO: Best Places to See on Yellowstone’s South Loop
*** Now that we covered all the main things to do in Yellowstone, I also want to mention a few other places that you should also try to see in Yellowstone. These are not the main attractions of Yellowstone National Park, but they are each well worth visiting, especially if you have more time and want to explore Yellowstone a bit deeper. Read on! ***
13. Mount Washburn
Hiking to the top of Mount Washburn is considered one of the best things to do in Yellowstone. The views from the 10,243 feet (3,1 km) top are incredible and if you are lucky you might run into some bighorn sheep or even bears (make sure you carry a bear spray if hiking in more remote areas of Yellowstone!). Visiting Mount Washburn requires a strenuous hike that takes about 2-3 hours one way, so it is definitely not for everyone.
Interesting to know: If you are up for this hike, you should know that there are two trails leading to the top. (1) The main hiking trail starts at Dunraven Pass. It’s about 3,2 miles (5,2 km)one way and offers better views along the entire route, but it is also more challenging. (2) The second option is the Chittenden Road Trail which follows a wide service road to the top of Mount Washburn. It’s 2,5 miles (4 km) one way and is easier to hike, but the views along this route aren’t that impressive.
TIP: Carry lots of water and a picnic. Make sure you also have a jacket as it can get really windy and cold on top. Arrive early as car parking areas at both trailheads are not very big. Also, afternoon storms are common in summer, and you don’t want to be on top in the storm.
Practical information: The trail is only open from June to September and even in summer can have some snow on it.
14. Tower Fall
One of the most beautiful waterfalls of Yellowstone National Park, Tower Fall is worth a short stop. While the Yellowstone National Park website says it’s one of the best places to see in Yellowstone, they forget to mention that you cannot see the waterfall in all its glory anymore.
Interesting to know: Due to severe erosion, the path leading to the bottom of the waterfall has been closed for years. So you can no longer hike to the waterfall and can only see it from the Tower Fall overlook. Which is definitely nice to see, I won’t argue that, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here. You can still walk a part of the trail to see Tower Creek flow into the Yellowstone River, but it’s not the most impressive place of Yellowstone. Furthermore, the climb back up is quite steep, so it’s up to you to decide if it’s worth it. We found this short hike somewhat disappointing.
TIP: You can best visit Tower Fall on your way to Lamar Valley or in combination with Mount Washburn, which is also in the same area. Walking to the lookout will only take a few minutes of your time.
Practical information: Tower Fall viewpoint is just 100 yards (100 m) from the car parking area. Count 10-15 minutes for a visit.
15. Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is a great place to see grizzly bears and wolfs in a safe environment. Some animals come from Yellowstone and others – from as far as Alaska. All the animals who live here are unable to survive in the wild. This center gives them a second chance, while at the same time providing an educational experience to Yellowstone visitors.
At the moment of writing, there are seven bears and five wolves in the Center, as well as some birds of prey and a Karelian bear dog. You can see the animals all year round. The bears at the Centre do not hibernate.
Interesting to know: Admission tickets are valid for two consecutive days. So if you are staying in West Yellowstone, you could certainly visit two times.
Practical information: Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is located in West Yellowstone, just outside the West Entrance of the park. It’s open 365 days a year. Check their website for more practical info. Count 1.5-2 hours for a visit.
16. Boiling River
Important update: Due to the severe damage caused by the floods in summer 2022, Boiling River is closed. At the time of the last update, it’s not even certain if it will reopen at all.
Boiling River is a real hidden gem of Yellowstone and one of our absolute favorite places in the park. It’s a natural hot tub, created at a place where a large hot spring enters the river. The hot and the cold water mix turning this mountain river into the best natural hot tub experience ever!
Boiling River is a wonderful place to relax after a long day exploring Yellowstone’s main attractions. Don’t miss it if you are in the northern part of Yellowstone and have an hour to spare.
Interesting to know: Boiling River trail is often closed in spring due to melting snow and mud. You should check the latest information on the official website to see if it’s open.
TIP: At the car parking there are bathroom facilities where you can also change your clothes.
Practical information: Count at least an hour for a visit, but you can easily spend half a day here as well.
MORE INFO: Guide to Visiting Boiling River
Best Things to Do in Yellowstone on the Map
In order to help you plan your trip, I created this map indicating all the main Yellowstone attractions mentioned in this post.
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.
So, this is the ultimate list of all the main places to see in Yellowstone. In this post, I only focused on the best of Yellowstone, because I know that everyone visiting the park for the first time wants to make sure that they cover all the musts. This list does exactly that.
If you are wondering how to best plan your time, please check our suggested Yellowstone itinerary for any trip from 1 to 5 days. If you rather let someone else do the planning, please check our guide to the best Yellowstone tours.
TIP: If you want to see all the main landmarks of Yellowstone, but don’t feel like planning it all, I recommend this highly-rated 4 days/3 nights tour. It covers all the musts in Yellowstone! If you don’t have that much time, then consider this popular 2-day tour instead.
With just a day in Yellowstone, it’s best to take this 1-day tour – it covers as much as humanly possible in a day. It will save you a lot of time not having to worry about parking, etc. so you’ll be able to make the most of your time.
Hiking: If you are looking for more great things to do in Yellowstone, I suggest you go hiking. There are so many nice short trails that will bring you to less-known places in Yellowstone. Here you can find more information about hiking trails in Yellowstone.
READ ALSO: Yellowstone – Grand Teton National Parks Trip Itinerary
Where to Stay
We have a very comprehensive guide on the best places to stay in and near Yellowstone and also the best hotels & cabins NEAR Yellowstone, so check it out for more information.
Alternatively, if you are simply looking for the best price-quality-location option, check out lodging in West Yellowstone. It’s a small town just near the West Entrance of Yellowstone NP and it has a big range of hotels and cabins for all budgets.
TIP: Using the map below, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in West Yellowstone and beyond. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see what’s still available for your stay. Check it out!
More information for your trip to Yellowstone:
- Overview: Plan a Perfect Yellowstone Trip
- What to know: Yellowstone Travel Tips
- When to go: Best Time to Visit Yellowstone & What It’s Really Like to Visit Yellowstone in Summer
- Where to stay: Guide to Yellowstone Accommodation
- Short visit: Best of Yellowstone in One Day
- For families: Yellowstone with Kids
- Must-see: Grand Prismatic Spring & The Old Faithful
- Fun to do: Boiling River
- Nearby: One Day in Grand Teton & What to See In and Near Jackson, Wyoming
- What to pack: What to Wear and What to Pack for Yellowstone in Summer
If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!
More travel inspiration for USA National Parks:
- Best Things to Do in Arches National Park
- Best Things to Do in Canyonlands National Park
- Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park
- Best of Grand Canyon in 1 Day
- Best Hikes in Zion National Park
- Yosemite Travel Tips
- Glacier National Park Itinerary
- Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary
- Olympic National Park Itinerary
- Acadia National Park Itinerary
Such a comprehensive & well written guide to visit yellowstone. Love how all the details are given. Thanks!
Glad to help, Gaya. Have a wonderful time in Yellowstone!
Thanks for the helpful information. My family of three just came back from Yellowstone, and since it was our first visit, we made sure that we covered as many places that we could that you mentioned, and we were fortunate to do so. One thing that I wanted to point out is that Uncle Tom’s Trail has been closed for a few years. Since we couldn’t find it on the latest maps, we asked a ranger about it and he said that since the steps began to deteriorate and is no longer safe, they closed the trail altogether. In fact the trail head cannot be located at all in order to keep people from venturing out. I thought I would let you know because we spent a lot of time trying to find it, based on your recommendation and older maps, only to realize that it’s no longer available. Thanks again!
Oh wow, thanks for letting me know, Doug. Happy to hear that you had a great trip!
What a great blog. I’m so glad I found it. You have outlined everything so clearly and concisely. I am keeping this for our trip next week. Thank you.
Glad to help, Arlene. Have a great trip!
Thank you so much for this!! Helped with last minute planning big time.
Glad to help. Enjoy your trip!
Wow!! This was definitely insightful for our first and upcoming trip this coming week! We are so excited and happy to have 5 nights 6 full days to experience and explore this beautiful national forest. Thank you for all of your advice on highlights and places not to miss out on.
Glad to help, Tiffany. Have a great time in Yellowstone!
Hey You may want to take off the boiling river since it washout in 2022.
Hi Robert, we already have this information in our article about Boiling River to which we link from all the other articles related to it. However, it’s practically impossible for us to update each and every guide on our website every time something like that changes, especially in the situations like this where the official site doesn’t clearly state if they will be able to restore/reopen this area or not. All they say is that swimming is not possible there at the moment. That’s why we also always encourage people to check the current conditions page on the official site for the latest updates. But yes, we’re keeping an eye on the official site and if they announce that the area is definitely not going to reopen, then we’ll do our best to update every article.
@Jurga, This website is so wonderful. Thank you so much for putting together such a detailed info.
I need a help, after 2022 flood. Which points on the above list should i ignore? Just learned about boiling river. TIA
Hi Archie, the main highlights of Yellowstone have not been affected by the floods that much, so there is nothing you should ‘ignore’. It’s mostly the northern part of the park and the area around Gardiner that was impacted and indeed, Boiling River is closed. Firehole River swim area is also closed at the moment, but these are in no way ‘must-sees’ anyway, just something that would be nice to do if the conditions allow it (so not this summer).
At the moment, all the roads in the park are open, but there are some delays due to construction here or there. But this happens every summer and not all of the works are related to the floods of last year. The summer months are simply the only time for the park authorities to do any maintenance and repairs. You can check this page for the up-to-date information and road works. For example, getting to/from Lamar Valley can take more time because there are some works in that area too.
For any other closures, you should check the current conditions page on the official site. The situation can change at any time, but any planned closures will normally be indicated there (if any). You can also ask the park rangers if you have any concerns or questions about a specific place you plan to visit.
Have a great trip!
@Jurga, You are amazing! Thank you for taking time and replying on time for my planning. I really appreciate your efforts. 😊
Just found your wonderful website. Since we are planning our third trip to Yellowstone in September 2023 I want to say thank you. Through you website I have found new places to visit and you’ve given me more information on places to revisit. What a fantastic website!
Glad to help, Becky, and thanks for your kind feedback. Have a great time in Yellowstone!
Great info! We used this to plan our trip last week and it was wonderful. Thank you so much for all the work you have put into this!
Glad to hear that, Linda. Yellowstone is amazing, isn’t it!
Happy travels.
@Linda, Any info you want to pass on after your recent trip?
Beautiful article. Are there electric hook up, tenting campgrounds?
Hi Lolita, you can find all the information about Yellowstone campgrounds here.
I see all the 16 things to do in your site, but do you happen to have list of things to do that are in one area, besides the map? Meaning, if you are in this area, here are all the things? If not, thank you
Hi Janet, throughout the article, you can find links to other more detailed articles about some of the most popular areas in Yellowstone – Grand Prismatic, Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Canyon, etc. See the links that follow ‘MORE INFO:’ almost after each point in this guide.
Have a great trip!
@Jurga, thank you! I see them all now, working on my itinerary now
Planning a trip to take with our special needs daughter who is wheel chair bound. Do you feel like most of the attractions would be accessible for her? Also do all the attractions have RV parking? That would be our main source of transportation in order to have her medical equipment with us. Thanks!
Hi Stephanie, yes, most of the main attractions in Yellowstone are accessible with a wheelchair and there are many places with big RV parkings too. However, parking a big vehicle in the high season might be somewhat of a challenge, so you’ll need some patience (also, try to visit the most popular areas early morning or late in the afternoon – that will help a lot).
For more details on accessibility in different areas of the park, please see this guide on the official NP website.
Have a great trip!
Great article! Uncle Tom’s Trail was closed last year unfortunately so we will just have to go back. Have you been to Yellowstone in winter, if so which time of year did you like better?
Also, I really like your hotel map tool.
Thank you!
Hi Taylor, Yellowstone does lots of work/repairs every year and they only have a few warm-weather months for that. So no matter when you visit, I think it’s inevitable that some places might be closed for maintenance…
As for winter, no, I haven’t been. You can’t really compare winter and summer travel. In winter, the biggest part of the park is not accessible, and some places are only accessible by snowmobile/ snowcoach, etc. I think it can be an amazing experience, but going in winter and in summer, it’s like visiting two totally different destinations.
Steamboat Geyser entered into an active phase in 2018, and has been erupting quite frequently since, about 40 some odd times each year. Last eruption was in July 2021, so it may be slowing some since it hasn’t erupted since then and this has been the longest interval between eruptions for several years.
Thanks for the info, Jim. It must be fun to see Steamboat Geyser in action!
Thank you SO much for putting this together! Was great fun planning our trip to Yellowstone. We leave on Friday. Can’t wait.
Have a great time in Yellowstone, Doreen!
Hi! I have been reviewing your helpful information! I am planning a trip to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, we are bringing our 3 teens (17, 18, & 19). We have 2 days in Jackson/Grand Tetons and 3 days in Yellowstone. Admittedly, my plan for Grand Tetons is not well constructed, I just can’t find a good starting place. But here it is:
Day 1 Grand Tetons- Jenny Lake Shuttle, Hidden Falls, Inspiration Point and Grand Tetons scenic drive. Day 2: Rent Canoes at Jackson Lake, Take the kids to Snow King for the coasters, do the Bridger Gondola.
Am I missing something here or a trail we should definitely hike?
Yellowstone:
For the figure 8 road, I followed your guidelines- broken up into sections of the road…
Day 3 (southwest of the 8): West Thumb, Old Faithful, Midway Geyser Basin, Lower Geyser Basin.
Day 4 (Northwest/northeast of the 8): Norris, Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley.
Day 5 (Middle and southeast of the 8): Grand Canyon, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake.
My biggest concern is that I my day 3 is lacking something or that we will run out of things to do on this leg. I know that as we visit different stops, there will be small hikes, but are there some other reasonable ones that I should be looking for/something with a view? I know that the kids will want to hike if it ends in a great picture!
Thanks for all the work that you have put in, it has been such a help to dive in and learn from your experiences.
Hi Heather, I think your itinerary looks quite good.
For day 1, we hiked a bit past Inspiration Point as we found that the hike to get there was to short. So we hiked a part of the longer trail into Cascade Canyon, saw moose and stunning scenery – it was nice. We didn’t go that far, maybe an additional half an hour (and the same back), but we really enjoy the views. So you could potentially do that hike further.
For day 2, you can find some more ideas in our guide to Jackson Hole. Rafting is very popular in that area – maybe something fun for your teens.
Day 3: At the OF area, you can spend a few hours exploring all the geysers. See our guide to Upper Geyser Basin for more info. At the Grand Prismatic, you should definitely take a hike to the overlook – more info in our Grand Prismatic guide. The hike is short and starts from the Fairy Falls parking and if you are looking for a longer hike, you can actually hike to Fairy Falls as well – see here for more info.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
@Jurga, Thank you so much for your response! I realized that I said that I was worried about day 3. Actually, it is Day 5 that I cannot find much info about.
Hi Heather, there are lots of hiking trails at the Yellowstone Canyon. If you want to, you could spend an entire day hiking along both rims, so you can definitely fill your day a bit more, even if you just hike a bit. Here you can find more info about Yellowstone Canyon. One thing we really enjoyed was Uncle Tom’s Trail – it’s short but well worth it. I see that there’s a guided hike along the canyon available too, if you prefer that.
Hayden Valley – you can just pass by, or stop for some wildlife viewing. There’s also the Mud Volcano area/ Dragon’s Mouth that’s worth stopping. At the lake, you can hike to Storm Point – a nice easy hike. And normally, they also have boat rides on the lake, but I’m not sure how it is this year. You can also rent boats and kayaks (but I wouldn’t count on that if you can’t reserve in advance), and there’s a kayak tour that you can book. Check here for more info.
And, of course, don’t miss West Thumb Geyser Basin.
I have a trip planned for Jackson Hole and Big Sky, July 29- Aug 5. I have booked 5 nights in Jackson Hole at a VRBO and 2 nights in Big Sky. Looking for must do sights and activities. I would like to do fly fishing and and not sure if that should be an entire day or just a half, and a scenic float trip. Hiking is a must at Grand Teton Nation Park and exploring Yellowstone. Any guidance for sequence of events would be appriciated.
Hi Joleen, since you have 4 full days in Jackson, you can just make day trips like fishing or rafting in the area and it doesn’t matter much in which sequence. Also Grand Teton is best visited from there. You can find some info and recommended activities in our guide to Jackson Hole and also check out this for Grand Teton.
Then on your way to Big Sky, you can already see some of the highlights of southern Yellowstone, and then the rest on the next day (be sure to start VERY EARLY sine you’ll have a lot of driving to do and Yellowstone will also be very busy at that time). For more details on how you could plan it, please see our 2 days in Yellowstone guide and adjust it to your accommodation.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
I have found your website to be very helpful. We are traveling to South Dakota, Yellowstone and Grand Teton in June. Since this was a last minute trip, I only have two days planned for Yellowstone and was using your 2 day guide as reference; however, we are staying in West Yellowstone the entire time. My goal for the first day is Old Faithful/Upper Geyser Basin, Midway Geyser Basin, and Mammoth Hot Springs. Since we have to travel back to West Yellowstone, do you think it is worth traveling to Mammoth Hot Springs and back? My second day was Grand Canyon of West Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake/West Thumb Geyser Basin. I am wondering if we should just skip Mammoth Hot Springs altogether for this trip. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Lori, your plan sounds quite logical to me. A lot depends on how early you start your days (go very early if you can!), how busy it is everywhere, and what you are planning to do at every place. Indeed, often, you’ll enjoy your visit more if you don’t try to see it all. So if skipping Mammoth Hot Springs gives you more time to explore other places in-depth, it can be worth it. On the other hand, if you don’t plan on doing much hiking and just see the main landmarks, you could also get to that part of the park.
Why don’t you just start with the OF and Grand Prismatic, see how much time you spend there, and then decide at that moment if you want to drive all the way to Mammoth Hot Springs or maybe visit some other place closer by. Norris Basin could also be a nice one to see if you have some time left but don’t want to drive all the way north.
So to summarize, I’d try to start early, visit the places you want to see first, and see how you’re doing in terms of timing and just decide it on the spot.
If you don’t go to Mammoth and have some time left, Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone might also be a nice place to see and they are usually open quite late in summer (their website doesn’t show that info yet, so check in June if you think of going there).
Have a great trip!
@Jurga,
Thanks so much!
Hello, I am planning on flying in to Jackson in the beginning of August. Not counting travel days, we plan to stay in Wyoming 6 days. Can you help me plan my trip? I would like to do some things in Jackson Hole-open to suggestions and where to stay. Then we would like to visit the GTNP, YNP, and Cody. I am open to how long we should stay in each place and suggestions on what to do and see. Then we will fly back out of Jackson. How should we navigate this? Go to Cody first then YNP or vice versa and how long do we stay each place? Here are some of our goals to see and do. See the Grand Tetons, go to a rodeo, Raft and hike, Old faithful, possibly see or stay on a dude ranch, if anything like that is around(if not, its ok). Go to a pow wow, We would like to ATV in the dunes, but I know that is a ways away in another city, so if we miss that its ok. IF you can help us best navigate this I would be so appreciative.
Thanks
Hi Terri, sounds like an amazing trip you are planning. Unfortunately, I cannot help you with the details. SOOO much will depend on which accommodations you can still get for your trip. Summer is very busy there and Yellowstone and Grand Teton have limited options as it is, so a lot will be influenced on that.
With 6 days and taking into account what you want to do, you should probably plan at least 2 full days in Jackson Hole. On one day, you could visit Grand Teton from there and on the other – go rafting and then see a rodeo (depending on your travel dates). For more info about all of this, please check our guide to the best things to do in Jackson Hole.
After that – once again, depending on accommodations – you could spend 3 days in Yellowstone. See our Yellowstone itinerary on how to plan your time there. Also, see this guide on where to stay near Yellowstone (accommodations inside the park will be fully booked by now).
And then you could go on to Cody for the last day.
As to what to do first or last, I don’t think it matters much, but depending on lodging availability, you may have to shuffle things around. Be sure to do this asap – I’m hearing from many people that accommodations are booking up very fast for this summer.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
@Jurga, Would it be best to skip Cody since we can do a rodeo and raft in Jackson? And then spend more time in Yellowstone and Grand Teton? I am just thinking about the travel to Cody and then back again to Jackson to fly home, would it be too much driving time if we can see everything in the Jackson, GT, YNP area.
Thank you.
Hi Terri, I haven’t been to Cody, so I can’t really compare the two. But if you are mostly interested in Western-style activities and rafting, then yes, you can find it all in Jackson and you’d have more time over to enjoy it all because you wouldn’t have to drive as much.
In the past, we used to travel trying to ‘see it all’ but recently, we are also leaning more towards spending more time at fewer places. Often, it’s much more enjoyable and more relaxing this way and you have more of a real vacation feeling. So yes, if I was in your shoes, I’d just stick to Jackson, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone.
Good luck with the planning!
This is the BEST guide to Yellowstone I’ve found! Thank you so much guys! You’ve just organized our trip for us.
Glad to hear that, Mel, and happy to help.
If you are still looking for practical info and tips for planning your trip, you can find an overview of all our Yellowstone articles in this guide – Yellowstone travel guide.
Have a great time in Yellowstone!
I visited Yellowstone around 12 years ago when my father wanted to go there. When we found out he planned on going alone my wife suggested I go with him. He’s gone now but I have some amazing memories of that trip. This coming September I have 10 days booked staying in Gardiner just north of the park, then at the Old Faithful Inn, concluding with staying south of the park just north of Jackson. We figured moving our location every few days would allow for easier seeing of the park and surrounding area. I’m taking my wife this time and another couple. This guide is invaluable for planning our visit to the area.
Wow, Ronald, with so much time in Yellowstone, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time. And yes, it’s a very good idea to stay in several different places – that way you can explore different areas deeper without having to drive too far each day.
Have a great trip!
Good job Jurga, I had no idea how to plan my first visit to Yellowstone Park. Thank You so much for the very explained information, tips, and ideas.
Glad to help, Evelyn! Have a wonderful time in Yellowstone.
If you need any practical information to help you plan the trip, here you can find an overview of all our articles about visiting Yellowstone National Park.
Very well written article and thanks to the author. I was in a doubt-where to go this summer and now I fixed the Yellowstone. I read lot of other sites, but none made me this much excited to visit. Well described.
Thanks and wish you to get lot of opportunities to visit all over the USA so that we can get good tips. 🙂
Good to hear that we inspired you to visit Yellowstone, James. It’s AMAZING!
Please check our Yellowstone National Park travel guide for an overview of all our articles and itinerary suggestions, as well as practical information, accommodation, etc. Yellowstone is extremely popular and the best season to visit is quite short, so if you are planning to go this year, definitely start planning asap!
And yes, we also hope to travel soon! But with all the rules in place, no USA destinations for us in the near future, unfortunately…
Happy travels!
I love your work, Jurga. It is some of the best writing I have ever seen.
Appreciate your kind feedback, Billy. Have a great time in Yellowstone!
I really appreciate people like you who take the time to do this. I was feeling overwhelmed planning a Yellowstone trip so almost just skipped it and was going to go elsewhere. This article was super informative and loved seeing the pictures to help envision.
Hi Erin, glad to help and definitely don’t skip Yellowstone if you are planning to visit that part of the US. It’s such a unique and beautiful park – you’ll love it!
If you need more help planning your trip, please check our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions – it will help you plan your days. For more practical information, see our Yellowstone page – it has an overview of all our guides and practical tips for visiting Yellowstone.
Good luck with the planning and have a wonderful trip!
Really great post! I’m doing research for an upcoming trip. This list was extremely helpful. Thanks!
Glad to hear that, Jody. And thanks for taking the time to leave this feedback.
Have a great time in Yellowstone!
Thank you for all this! To get up Mount Washburne I’ll have my 6 year old with me. I’m sure I could rush a semi-rugged stroller up the Chittenden Road Trail easily enough, but could I push one up the Dunraven Pass Trail? My plan is for her to walk some and ride some. I’d rather do the nicer path if possible.
Hi Paul, we haven’t done this hike with kids (ran out of time), but from everything I saw and read, I think that a 6-year old should be able to do it. Our kids did similar hikes without any problems at the age of 5-6. You’ll just need more time and some treats to bribe her along the way.
Either way, I can’t imagine pushing a 6-year old in a stroller on flat surfaces, let alone in the mountains. You must be training for the Ironman triathlon. 🙂
If your daughter has done some hiking previously, I think you can attempt it. And if not, maybe start with some easier hikes and see how it goes before you attempt Mt Washburn. If you are looking for easier short hikes in Yellowstone, we have a selection in our Yellowstone with kids guide.
Good luck! And if you end up doing it and think of it, please leave a comment here telling us how it went. I’m sure other readers will appreciate the info as well.
Hi Jurga – We planned a pretty last minute trip to Yellowstone and have followed all of your advice. Thanks so much for helping our trip go smoothly! We’ve hit almost every one of your recommendations in the past three days. So glad I found your web site.
Glad to hear that, Austin, and thank you for taking the time to leave this feedback.
Maybe you can find more inspiration for the future trips on our blog as well!
Happy travels.
Hi Jurga
Thank you so much for taking the time to record and post such detail Walk – Trough Yellow Stone.
I am planing my visit based on your information and guide.
I find it so useful and informative.
We sleep close to West entrance. What was your starting point? do you have the breakdown of your trip?
Hi Sharon, the West entrance is a very good place to base yourself as it’s quite central. Depending on how many days you have, here you can find our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions. It also links to a few more articles for even more detail.
On our Yellowstone travel guide page, you can find all our articles in one place.
Hope this helps. Have a great trip!
This has been the best and most helpful site I have found in researching Yellowstone! The “must-see’s” and the insider tips are just what I’m looking for!
I’ve been researching and putting our itinerary together for the last few days for our trip next week (I know many places may be closed due to ‘rona) – after going through your information, I’m done! Thank you!!!
Hi Kimiko, thank you for your kind feedback and I hope you have a wonderful time in Yellowstone next week. Most of the park and its natural attractions are open (see here for the latest updates), but indeed, there are some restrictions. But as long as you know what to expect and prepare well (which you seem to have done ;)), you’ll have a great time. Enjoy!
You’re awesome Jurga! Thank you – had not stumbled across this link regarding closures! Again, just what I needed!
Glad to help. Have a nice time in Yellowstone!
Thank you so much for this information. We are traveling at the beginning of July, and taking my 94 year old mother-in-law. Of course, she cannot do any hiking, or difficult walking paths, but she can walk just fine on flat surfaces. I’m wondering, if we rent a wheelchair while we’re there, will she still get to see a lot of the “must see” features of Yellowstone?
Hi Laura, yes, you can definitely still see a lot in Yellowstone with a wheelchair. Most areas around the main landmarks have at least some boardwalks and lots of sights are easily accessible. Here you can find all the accessibility info per area.
For example, the following areas can be (sometimes partially) visited with a wheelchair: Upper Geyser Basin and the Old Faithful and also the Grand Prismatic Spring are all accessible. Mammoth Hot Springs area, West Thumb Geyser Basin, some viewpoints along the Yellowstone Canyon, and many more. You can also see wildlife in the Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley straight from your car. So yes, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Yellowstone for everyone!
Have a great trip!
The Grand Prismatic lookout is a must. The picture on this website is exactly what you see from there. Not a difficult walk but the last 100 yards is a bit steep. Still, I walked up there with a family who had an 8 and 10 year old and a dog. Not sure if your Grandmother with a dodgy hip could make it and might want to stay in the car and then look at your photos.
Thanks for sharing info about this hike too. I think most people in regular physical condition can indeed make it. 🙂
Was there in October and agree with almost all of your recommendations. Would add that if you fly into Bozeman there is a lovely drive down to the West Yellowstone entrance – they filmed that movie A River Runs Through It there.
On Mammoth. Worth seeing but was not as spectacular as some photos make it out. I think it was the light and the low sun which had dropped behind the hills.
The distances are not that great so you can definitely see it without much of a detour and the scenery is spectacular around there. Watch out for the Elk in the Village 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience, Graeme. I’m sure it will be very useful to our readers. Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy Mammoth much. We found it fascinating. But that might indeed have to do with the light. It was sunny when we visited and the colors were unbelievable!
Oh, I did enjoy Mammoth. I found it fascinating. Plus there is a lot of Native American history to the place as well. I just went at the wrong time of day to get a good picture as there were too many shadows and the light didnt reflect off the terraces as you see in professional pictures.
I got a great picture of Grand Prismatic from the overlook that looks exactly like the one in your picture above. Hard to believe as they had 2 foot of snow the week before but I had clear skies and 70 degrees.
Sounds like a great trip! We also found Mammoth Hot Springs well worth it, but indeed – going in the middle of the day isn’t the best time for pictures there. Grand Prismatic is incredible during the day though, especially if it’s sunny, isn’t it?!
Happy travels!
Thank you for sharing . . we are looking at 4 days for September 2020 this will really help us out
Glad you found this useful, Rosemary. Make sure to also check our Yellowstone itinerary suggestions (in 4 days, you can cover all the highlights) and also our tips on where to stay in Yellowstone (and book asap).
It will be an amazing trip – enjoy it!
This is awesome and so helpful! We are heading there in the summer for a few days! Can’t wait, thanks again!
Glad to hear that, Megan. You’ll love Yellowstone – is an amazing place; one of a kind.
Happy travels!
Thanks Jurga! You put a lot of work into preparing your guide and I truly appreciate it. We’re RVing so I have a bit of work to do about that, but you have made where to go and what to see so simple! I especially love your map.
Thanks for your kind feedback, Priya. Have a wonderful time in Yellowstone!
Hi Jurga! I’m so excited! As of today we are planing a trip for the second half of September. My husband just sent me your link and I’m loving the info. Does the timing of our trip change any of your recommendations or tips? This will be my first trip there with touring time. Eeeeek!!!
Hi Melissa, I think the second half of September is about the same in terms that most of the places will still be accessible. But it will be much colder and the days will be shorter, so plan accordingly. For the rest, I think you can see and do just as much as in the summer, but without the crowds.
Enjoy your trip!
Thank you so much for the complete guide. This is one of the very few articles that list the places to visit very nicely in a way that the first time reader and visitor can know what to expect, what to do, and how to plan the complete trip. I really appreciate your way of presenting. Thanks again.
Thank you for your feedback, Yash. Glad you found this useful and have a wonderful time in Yellowstone!
Thanks so much for the informative article! We’re planning a family trip to Yellowstone and deciding whether to include Mammoth Hot Springs. If we skip that corner of the park, we’ll be able to cover all your other top sights and include some hiking. Just wanted your feedback since you debated same and clearly enjoyed it. But given our time constraints, I’m afraid it’ll make the whole trip feel rushed, should we squeeze it in anyhow? If yes, which other stops are best to eliminate?
Hi Jen, it’s really tough for me to say – I have no idea what your interests are, how you travel, or how much time you have and where you’ll be staying…
We enjoyed that part of the park as well (also the Boiling River was an absolute highlight), but don’t feel bad if you skip it – there are so many amazing places in Yellowstone and it’s definitely better to explore fewer places more in-depth rather than try to squeeze everything and spend more time in the car than sightseeing…
Thank you for such a thorough and well organized post. Can’t wait for our trip next week!!!
Enjoy your trip!
Thank you for writing this exceptional description. Your suggestions, tips, how much time to spend, and moreover the way you have marked and provided the map made our short trip truly memorable and effective.
You have written a necessary and a complete guide. This was my sole guide of trip, and helped me chalk out the most effective plan.
🙂 Im grateful to have found your page.
Thank you so much for your kind feedback, Shivangi. I’m really glad to hear you had a great trip to Yellowstone.
Happy travels!
Jurga, we’re planning an RV trip to Yellowstone. We would like to cover all the places you’ve recommended as we will have 5 days for exploring and hiking. Will we be able to stay overnight in the rv along the way or will we have to trek back to an rv park somewhere each night? Thank-you. Kenneth
Hi Kenneth, overnight camping or parking is only allowed in designated campgrounds or campsites in Yellowstone.
As for campsites, it really depends on when you travel, but in general, they fill up very quickly. There are only a few (5 I think) that you can reserve in advance, and it’s quite likely they are already full for the summer. The others are on first come, first served basis and in summer they fill up in the morning already. You can find more information about Yellowstone campgrounds here.
Hope this helps.
We just did 7 days in Yellowstone and your blog was invaluable along with the gypsy app! Thank you!
Glad to hear that, Helen.
Happy travels!
Thanks so much for the tips at Yellowstone! You do need to go back to the Grand Prismatic viewing point off the Fairy Falls trail – it was the highlight of our trip last month. We would not have known about it without your advice. We also took your advice on where to stay and did 2 nights in Canyon Lodge and 1 night at OF Inn and it worked out perfectly.
Yes, this is just one of the reasons to go back to Yellowstone. Would love to return.
Really glad to hear that you found our blog useful and had such a wonderful trip, Jeff.
Happy travels!
We are planning to visit Yellowstone for a week. Should we divide up our stay at different lodges? I wasn’t sure how much time we should allow at each section.
Hi Amanda, it really depends on when you are planning to go. If it’s this summer, I think you’ll be glad if you can still find accommodation in West Yellowstone just putside the park). For inside the park you need to book a year in advance (summer season).
Here you can find our suggestions on where to stay in and near Yellowstone and here you can find suggestions for Yellowstone itinerary.
While visiting Yellowstone, the best thing to do there for me is to see wild animals. You cannot find most of these animals in any other part of the USA.
Amazing place!
You’re absolutely right, Ramon. Watching wildlife was one of the best experiences for us in Yellowstone as well. I never expected to see that many bison, that’s for sure.