Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the USA, is home to nearly half of the world’s active geysers. After Death Valley, it is also the second largest national park in the contiguous United States. When you visit, you’ll experience its unique hydrothermal features, breathtaking geological formations, and a wide variety of wildlife in their natural habitats.

Where is Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone National Park spans three states in the USA: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Most of the park is located in Wyoming and Montana. With five different entrances, it’s quite expansive, and traveling between them can take several hours. Be aware that some entrances may close for the season, so it’s essential to check the national park’s website before planning your visit. 

How to Get to Yellowstone National Park?

You can fly into one of the closest airports, such as Cody or Jackson in Wyoming, Bozeman or Billings in Montana, or Idaho Falls in Idaho, and then drive to the national park. During our trip, we flew in and out of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana.

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park

The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park largely depends on your interests. Here are some key points regarding road conditions and crowd sizes for each season.

• Winter (December – February): Fewer visitors, but most roads and lodges are closed for the season.
• Spring (March-May): Moderate crowds; roads begin to open in April and are fully accessible by Memorial Day weekend.
• Summer (June – August): Peak season with a high number of visitors to the park.
• Fall (September – November): Low crowds at the end of the season, with roads starting to close for winter in October.

Overall, late spring and early fall are often considered the best times for a balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds. We visited Yellowstone at the end of May for Memorial Day weekend, and the weather was pleasant with a moderate crowd.

Places to Visit in Yellowstone National Park

If you’re seeking a quick list of must-visit places in Yellowstone National Park, here it is! For a more detailed day-to-day itinerary and insights from our Yellowstone experience, continue reading this blog post.

Yellowstone National Park Itinerary

Day 1

Grand Prismatic Spring

Kick off your day with a visit to the Grand Prismatic Spring. The area features a lovely boardwalk that allows you to explore various geysers nearby. This is Yellowstone’s largest hot spring, measuring 370 feet (113 m) in diameter and over 121 feet (37 m) deep. You’ll be close enough to feel the heat and steam on your face. Take plenty of photos, then enjoy a short hike to an overlook point for a breathtaking view of the Grand Prismatic Spring.

Did You Know? The vibrant yellow, orange, and brown colors surrounding the hot spring are caused by thermophiles—heat-loving microbes that thrive in the extreme conditions of hot springs.

Biscuit Basin

After your hike, head further north to Biscuit Basin, named for its unique geyserite formations that resemble biscuits. Among all the formations, my favorite is the stunning Sapphire Pool. This pool was once an active geyser filled with muddy water before the 1959 earthquake. Over the years, its water has cleared, revealing the beautiful deep blue color we see today.

Old Faithful Geyser

Another must-see highlight of Yellowstone is the Old Faithful Geyser. Unlike many other geysers, Old Faithful has been consistently erupting approximately every 30 minutes for the past 30 years, earning it the name “Old Faithful.” You can enjoy the eruption from the Old Faithful viewing area or along the boardwalks that wind through the Upper Geyser Basin. This expansive area is home to many of Yellowstone’s geysers, so take your time to explore at your own pace.

Day 2

West Thumb Geyser

Start Day 2 at West Thumb Geyser Basin, the largest geyser basin located on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. A unique aspect of this basin is that its heat source is relatively shallow, just 10,000 feet (3,000 m) below the surface! Among the notable features in the West Thumb Geyser Basin are Abyss Pool and the Fishing Cone hot spring.

Mud Volcano

From there, continue your journey to Mud Volcano. On the way, make a stop at Fishing Bridge to enjoy the stunning scenery—if you’re lucky, you might spot some grizzly bears here!

Your next destination is Mud Volcano, an acidic hydrothermal feature with a limited water supply. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Dragon’s Mouth hot spring. This feature consists of a deep cave that releases a lot of gas and steam, creating a gurgling sound reminiscent of a dragon. At one point, a kid nearby was so convinced there was a dragon in the cave that he asked it to come out! 😂

Hayden Valley

Hayden Valley is centrally located in Yellowstone National Park, making it a great spot to spend some time observing wildlife in their natural habitat. On our way to Hayden Valley, we pulled over along the road that runs by the shoreline of Yellowstone Lake and had our first wolf sighting.

Following that, we encountered numerous bison, as well as a mother bear with her cub.

Day 3

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River

Begin Day 3 by taking in the stunning views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River from Artist Point. This canyon was formed through the erosion caused by the Yellowstone River. Throughout the day, visit various viewpoints, including Upper Falls View, Brink of Upper Falls, Brink of Lower Falls, Inspiration Point, and Lookout Point. Each spot offers breathtaking perspectives of the river and canyon, making every view truly majestic and worth your time.

Norris Geyser Basin

Take a stroll through Norris Geyser Basin, the hottest, oldest, and most dynamic thermal area in Yellowstone. This geyser basin has recorded the highest temperatures of any geothermal area in the park. It is also home to Steamboat Geyser, the tallest geyser in the world.

Roaring Mountain

Conclude your day with a visit to Roaring Mountain, a significant acidic thermal area featuring numerous fumaroles and steam vents.

Day 4

Mammoth Hot Springs

Begin Day 4 by driving around the vibrant travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. As the water flows over the edges, it creates stunning formations that showcase the beauty of this geothermal area.

Lamar Valley

On your way to Lamar Valley, make quick stops at Tower Falls and Dunraven Pass. We spent hours in Lamar Valley watching herds of bison, moose, grizzly bears with three cubs, deer, pronghorns, and small red foxes. Don’t forget to bring binoculars for the best animal spotting experience!

Please remember to prioritize safety while observing Yellowstone’s wildlife—they are WILD and DANGEROUS.

Stargazing

Another activity to enjoy in the area is stargazing. During our trip, we drove up to a small mountain in Jardine, Montana, where we were treated to a stunning star-filled sky at night. This was the perfect way to conclude our final day of the trip.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

Here are some lodging suggestions drawn from our own experiences

• Day 1: Old Faithful Snow Lodge  
• Day 2 & 3: Canyon Lodge and Cabins
• Day 4: Mammoth Hot Springs and Cabins  

Tip: There are limited accommodations within Yellowstone National Park, so be sure to book your hotels well in advance.

Where to Eat in Yellowstone National Park?

Here are some restaurant recommendations based on our dining experiences during this trip.

• Day 1: Old Faithful Snow Lodge Restaurant & Old Faithful Inn Restaurant  
• Day 2 & 3: Canyon Lodge Eatery & Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room 
• Day 4: Wonderland Cafe and Lodge  

Need Help with Exploring Yellowstone?

We went on a four-day tour of Yellowstone National Park by ourselves. If you’re interested, you can join various tours to explore this amazing destination.

If you’re starting to plan your own Yellowstone adventure, pin this guide to your Pinterest board for easy access to travel tips, tour recommendations, and must-see attractions. Pin it now so you can return to it whenever you’re ready to plan your ultimate Yellowstone adventure.