Yellowstone National Park is a vast natural wonderland located in the western United States, covering over 2 million acres of wilderness. The park is known for its incredible geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring. Yellowstone is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, elk, and bison. Visitors can explore the park’s diverse terrain via several hiking trails, including the popular Yellowstone River Trail and the challenging Mount Washburn Trail. The park is also home to several campgrounds, lodges, and visitor centers, making it an ideal destination for a multi-day visit.
Official website: https://www.nps.gov/yell/
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Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the largest hot springs in the world and a must-see attraction in Yellowstone National Park. The spring is known for its stunning rainbow of colors, which is caused by the microbial mats that grow on the edges of the mineral-rich water. Visitors can explore the spring via a boardwalk trail that provides stunning views of the spring and the surrounding landscape. The spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin, which is also home to several other geothermal features, including Excelsior Geyser and the Turquoise Pool.
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Old Faithful
Old Faithful is one of the most famous geysers in the world, known for its predictable eruptions that occur approximately every 90 minutes. The geyser is located in the Upper Geyser Basin and is easily accessible via a boardwalk trail. Visitors can view the geyser from several viewing areas, including the Old Faithful Inn and the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center. In addition to the geyser, the Upper Geyser Basin is also home to several other geothermal features, including the Castle Geyser and the Grotto Geyser.
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Morning Glory Pool
Morning Glory Pool is a stunning hot spring located in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. The pool is known for its brilliant blue color, which is caused by the mineral-rich water and the microbial mats that grow on the edges of the pool. Visitors can explore the pool via a boardwalk trail that provides stunning views of the pool and the surrounding landscape. The pool is located near the Old Faithful area and is easily accessible via a short hike from the parking area.
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West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin is a geothermal wonderland located on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. The basin is known for its stunning blue pools, geysers, and hot springs, which are set against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the crystal-clear lake. Visitors can explore the basin via a boardwalk trail that provides stunning views of the geothermal features and the lake. The basin is also home to several picnic areas and restrooms, making it an ideal destination for a picnic lunch.
Google map West Thumb Geyser Basin 4.9/5
Google map Black Pool 4.8/5
Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot Springs is a unique geothermal area located in the northern part of Yellowstone National Park. The area is known for its stunning limestone terraces, which are formed by the mineral-rich water that flows from the hot springs. Visitors can explore the area via a boardwalk trail that provides stunning views of the terraces and the surrounding landscape. The area is also home to several historic buildings, including the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the Albright Visitor Center.
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Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin is one of the most active and dynamic geothermal areas in Yellowstone National Park. The basin is known for its stunning geysers, hot springs, and mud pots, which are set against a backdrop of steam vents and fumaroles. Visitors can explore the basin via a boardwalk trail that provides stunning views of the geothermal features and the surrounding landscape. The basin is also home to several picnic areas and restrooms, making it an ideal destination for a day trip.
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Hayden Valley
Hayden Valley is a large, open valley located in the central part of Yellowstone National Park. The valley is known for its stunning wildlife, including bison, elk, and grizzly bears, and is a popular destination for wildlife watching and photography. Visitors can explore the valley via several hiking trails and scenic drives, including the Hayden Valley Drive, which provides stunning views of the valley and the surrounding peaks. The valley is also home to several picnic areas and restrooms, making it an ideal destination for a day trip.
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Gibbon Falls
Gibbon Falls is a stunning waterfall located in the western part of Yellowstone National Park. The falls are formed by the Gibbon River as it cascades over a series of rocks and drops 84 feet into a picturesque valley. Visitors can view the falls from several lookout points along the Gibbon River Trail or via a short hike from the parking area. The falls are particularly stunning during the spring melt season when the water flow is at its highest.
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Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is the largest freshwater lake in North America located above 7,000 feet elevation. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and is known for its crystal-clear water and stunning scenery. Visitors can explore the lake via several hiking trails and scenic drives, including the West Thumb Geyser Basin and the Yellowstone Lake Drive. The lake is also home to several campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers, making it an ideal destination for a multi-day visit.
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Yellowstone Grand Loop Road
Yellowstone Grand Loop Road is a scenic drive that takes visitors through some of Yellowstone National Park’s most iconic landmarks and attractions. The road is a 142-mile loop that provides stunning views of the park’s geothermal features, waterfalls, wildlife, and landscapes. Visitors can explore the road via several scenic drives and hikes, including the Norris Geyser Basin Drive, the Old Faithful Geyser Basin Drive, and the Tower-Roosevelt Drive. The road is also home to several picnic areas, restrooms, and visitor centers, making it an ideal destination for a day trip or a multi-day visit.
Lamar Valley
Lamar Valley is a remote and wild valley located in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park. The valley is known for its stunning wildlife, including bison, elk, and wolves, and is a popular destination for wildlife watching and photography. Visitors can explore the valley via several hiking trails and scenic drives, including the Lamar Valley Drive, which provides stunning views of the valley and the surrounding peaks. The valley is also home to several campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers, making it an ideal destination for a multi-day visit.
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Tower Fall
Tower Fall is a spectacular waterfall located in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park. The falls are formed by Tower Creek as it cascades over a series of rocks and drops 132 feet into a picturesque valley. Visitors can view the falls from several lookout points along the Tower Fall Trail or via a short hike from the parking area. The falls are particularly stunning during the spring melt season when the water flow is at its highest.
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Artist Paint Pots
Artist Paint Pots is a geothermal area located in the Norris Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. The area is known for its colorful mud pots, which are formed by the mineral-rich water and the microbial mats that grow on the edges of the pools. Visitors can explore the area via a boardwalk trail that provides stunning views of the geothermal features and the surrounding landscape. The area is also home to several picnic areas and restrooms, making it an ideal destination for a day trip.
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Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway is a scenic drive that takes visitors through some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States. The highway is a 68-mile route that starts in Cooke City, Montana, and ends at the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The drive provides stunning views of the Beartooth Mountains, the Shoshone National Forest, and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Visitors can explore the area via several hiking trails and scenic drives, including the Top of the World Drive and the Beartooth Pass.
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Mount Washburn
Mount Washburn is a prominent mountain peak located in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park. The mountain is known for its stunning views of the park’s geothermal features, wildlife, and landscapes. Visitors can explore the mountain via a 6.4-mile round trip hike that takes hikers through a scenic landscape of alpine meadows and forests. The summit of the mountain is home to a fire lookout tower, which provides stunning panoramic views of the park.
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Google map Mt Washburn Trailhead 4.8/5
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is a stunning canyon located in the northeastern part of Yellowstone National Park. The canyon is known for its colorful rock formations, stunning waterfalls, and panoramic views of the Yellowstone River. Visitors can explore the canyon via several hiking trails and scenic drives, including the North Rim Drive and the South Rim Drive. The canyon is also home to several picnic areas, restrooms, and visitor centers, making it an ideal destination for a day trip or a multi-day visit.
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Firehole Lake Drive
Firehole Lake Drive is a scenic drive that takes visitors through several geothermal areas in Yellowstone National Park. The drive is a 3-mile loop that provides stunning views of geysers, hot springs, and steam vents, including the Great Fountain Geyser and the White Dome Geyser. Visitors can explore the area via several hiking trails and scenic drives, including the Firehole Canyon Drive and the Firehole Lake Drive. The area is also home to several picnic areas and restrooms, making it an ideal destination for a day trip.
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