Things to do & places to visit in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States

Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is a national treasure. Located primarily in Wyoming, the park also extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone has active geothermal features with geysers and boiling mud pots throughout the park. The most famous is Old Faithful, a geyser that has erupted on the clock for decades. Travelers be warned, July is the busiest month of the year, with almost a million visitors alone. The park has a tour bus system, nine visitor centers, and 2,000 campsites.

Yellowstone National Park national park in Wyoming, United States. Timezone: America/Denver, current date and time: Friday, May 03, 2024, 1:14.

Top things to do (16)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (5.137 reviews)
- Go early or late to avoid the significant crowds
Canyons

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is not as humongously large as the famed Grand Canyon in Arizona. Nevertheless it is a magnificent sight! Best viewed early in the morning (say before 10 am) or late in the day (say after 5 pm) to avoid the enormous crowds which are visiting Artist Point or the observation points on the North rim drive. The views from Artist Point are very good indeed. See more..
5.0 Lamar Valley (3.058 reviews)
- The Bison are in Charge
Scenic Drives

I was captivated from the moment we came upon the herds and herds of buffalo. We were amused when the FedEx driver had to wait for a group of bison to cross the road and the bulls knew just the right sounds to get the calves moving. It was fascinating to watch the interaction among the herd. This part of the park is completely different from others and the vast immensity of the grasslands is stunning. We also saw pronghorn sheep as we drove to the east entrance for lunch. There were many trails along the way that we enjoyed exploring including Slough Creek which is known for fly fishing and Hellroaring Creek Trail that takes you to a suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River. (We walked about a mile past the suspension bridge and did not see or find anything of great significance.) This is a hike that takes you down to the bridge and the hike back to the parking lot is uphill so be sure to bring enough water. See more..
5.0 Yellowstone National Park (1.746 reviews)
- Absolutely stunning and huge
Spent More than 3 hours National Parks

You will need a couple of days to be able to travel to North, South, East and West of the Park. The distances are huge. We visited mid September and it was possible to do this in 2 days as the traffic was not too bad but it was busier on the weekend. Queues build up unexpectedly when people spot an animal and then park up on the road instead of in the lay-bys and there is no way of getting past them. We arrived from Cody to the East and it is quite a long journey before you even get to the park entrance. We bought a America Beautiful pass which covers you for all the national parks for a year and means that you can join a different queue at the entry point - available online by post or on entry to some of the parks. Day one we did the East and North and then day two we did the West and South of the park. My favourite part was the grand prismatic spring. Bring your own food and eat in designated picnic areas as there are not many places to buy food - but plenty of loos! A wonderful experience. See more..
5.0 Lower Yellowstone River Falls (1.436 reviews)
- The BEST falls in Yellowstone!
Waterfalls

A spectacular waterfall located in Canyon Country. See more..
5.0 Upper Geyser Basin (1.345 reviews)
- Yellowstone MUST!
Hot Springs & Geysers

Most of the geysers in Yellowstone Park can be found here. See more..
5.0 Artist Point (1.328 reviews)
- Indescribably Beautiful!
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Hiking Trails

You can see why the painting of this waterfall/canyon helped create Yellowstone NP. Words really can't describe all that you can feast your eyes on here. It's just a very short walk to the viewpoint from the parking lot (which was easily reached during a September off-season visit but is probably much more crowded earlier in the summer). During our time there visitors were easily able to remain COVID-distanced and still get their photos. This is one place where you might just kick yourself for not bringing a tripod. You'll understand... A nice view of the downriver canyon area is also just a quick walk from the point and there's also a path to a lake (about a mile's hike) available from the parking lot. See more..
5.0 The Wildland Trekking Company (374 reviews)
- Llama adventures
Hiking & Camping Tours

Another amazing trip with Wildland with highly experiences, professional guides who love what they do. On this trek, I got to experience and learn about camping in bear country, crossing rivers, dipping in natural hot springs and surviving swarming mosquitoes. This was my second llama trip with Wildland and lucky me, our guide Brett, a llama trainer, could answer all my nonsensical questions about the llamas, treating us with baby llama pictures. I mentioned (jokingly) that I wanted cake for the trip and Brent went out of their way to make sure cake was going to be on the menu! The other shining star of the trek was guide Danielle (Dani) who would point out flora (thimble berries and wortle berries - oh my!) of the greater Yellowstone area and educate us on the terrain. Not only did she make sure we were well nourished every morning noon and night, she administered first aid - checking in every 2 hours on one of the trekkers who had a bad reaction to summer insect bites. Her positive attitude and her inner and outer strength throughout our 6 day trek with 8 llamas and 8 adults was awe inspiring. See more..
5.0 Morning Glory Pool (88 reviews)
- Natural Beauty
Bodies of Water

Amazing and beautiful. This was a wonderful walk from Old Faithful. I strongly recommend downloading the Yellowstone app and listening to some of the audio products about the different pools. You can learn about how people used to throw items into these pools for "luck", but caused significant and lasting damage. It would be easy to spend a week (or more) in and around Yellowstone National Park. See more..
4.5 Old Faithful (5.027 reviews)
- Worth waiting for!
Hot Springs & Geysers

A popular geyser located in the Geyser Country region of Yellowstone National Park. See more..
4.5 Grand Prismatic Spring (3.159 reviews)
- One of the most beautiful sites
Hot Springs & Geysers

Brightly-colored hot spring, the result of algae that live in the water. See more..
4.5 Mammoth Hot Springs (2.187 reviews)
- Best first stop in YNP!
Hot Springs & Geysers

Beautiful limestone formations make this hot spring unique. See more..
4.5 Yellowstone Lake (1.794 reviews)
- Big Tour Boat Closed
Bodies of Water

Yellowstone National Park's largest lake. See more..
4.5 Hayden Valley (1.133 reviews)
- Beautiful!!
Nature & Wildlife Areas

We went here for sunset and sunrise. On sunset we didn't see much except bison and elk in the very far distance. For sunrise though we saw a bear at a elk carcass!! It was an amazing thing to see. Overall i recommend going at sunrise to see what activity may be left from overnight! Folks said they also saw a wolf but we got there too late to see it. See more..
4.5 Norris Geyser Basin (1.052 reviews)
- Porcelain Basin has more Active Geysers but Back Basin is home to world's tallest Geyser
Hot Springs & Geysers

An area of bubbling hot springs. See more..
4.5 Old Faithful Inn (1.025 reviews)
- Amazing History!
Architectural Buildings

The world's largest log cabin has an excellent view of Old Faithful. See more..
4.5 West Thumb Geyser Basin (905 reviews)
- Take the time to walk along the lakeshore...
Hot Springs & Geysers

We have been coming to the park for years and years and simply have passed this nice little Geyser Basin on our way to Canyon or to Old Faithful. This trip we were going to Lake and had some time and no agenda so we pulled in and spent about an hour walking among the Geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles of this loop trail adjacent to Yellowstone Lake's West Thumb. On this trip we saw numerous birds and a small group of Elk, including a young bull, with two points per side still in velvet. The geyser along the lakeshore was unique and one you will want to see. See more..
4.5 Grand Loop Road (778 reviews)
- Great Drive; lots to see
Scenic Drives

A 140-mile scenic drive past some of Yellowstone's most famous sites. See more..
4.5 Old Faithful Visitor Education Center (703 reviews)
- Enlightening
Friday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Visitor Centers • National Parks

This in an outstanding facility for orienting oneself to geyserland. To many visitors Yellowstone is a famous place of spectacle. But a half hour here will help newcomers understand why they’re seeing the things they are. It gets jammed with people post eruption, please be patient with the limitations of staff. But the displays here to help you plan what other geysers and springs to see along with helpful information from rangers will open up the park to being much more than imagined. See more..
4.5 Firehole Canyon Drive (631 reviews)
- A Good Decision Out of So Many Possibilities.
Scenic Drives

Wet and trying to dry out our clothes after getting soaked through walking back from Morning Glory, we opted to take this drive, and it was well worth it. Up close small geysers bubbling away and clear blue water. The Firehole Lake with steam rising and a boardwalk to view it up close. Steam was so prevalent there, it was like taking a sauna or a facial laced with a hint of sulphur. See more..
4.5 Midway Geyser Basin (597 reviews)
- Great stop; colorful pools
Hot Springs & Geysers

Midway Geyser Basin consists of 4 major geysers/pools/springs: The Grand Prismatic Spring (which is much better seen on the overlook trail just another 1/4 mile down the road); it’s often covered in steam so ask a ranger the best time to see based on when you plan to go. Beautiful colors nothing like what you’ll ever see elsewhere. The Excelsior geyser which is a large deep blue pool with boiling water. This is the 1st feature you come to when walking up the boardwalk. Then the Opal Pool which is smaller but very colorful And finally the Turquoise Pool with its deep colors. This is a must stop but for all the pools. We were here 10/21 and all the hotels and visitors centers and eating areas were closed for the season. Great time with few people but no services were open. See more..
4.5 Uncle Tom's Trail (556 reviews)
- Yet Another Overlook to see the Falls
Historic Walking Areas

After visiting the North Rim, Uncle Tom's Point was the last stop we made on the South Rim in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We didn't take the trail down to the base because we had already walked to the Brink of the Lower Falls in the North Rim. At Uncle Tom's Point, we just went to the couple of overlooks which afforded us more views of the falls. We came on Friday, 9/4 at around 10:30 am and it was not too crowded. In total, we spent 45 minutes in the South Rim after spending around 1 hour and 15 minutes in the North Rim. See more..
4.5 Yellowstone Geysers - Mud Volcano Area (532 reviews)
- A quick stop to see the Mud Volcanos
Hot Springs & Geysers • Volcanos

Right along the Grand Loop Road, the Mud Volcano Area is easy to get to. Nice parking lot. With the well maintained boardwalk it is easy and safe for anyone to see the area. My favorite is the Dragon's Mouth Spring. See more..
4.5 Biscuit Basin (460 reviews)
- Make sure to see Sapphire Pool
Geologic Formations

We actually walked from the Upper Geyser Basin to Biscuit Basin which is actually kind of a long walk but you do get to see Artemisia Geyser along the way. The distance from Old Faithful to Biscuit Basin is around 2 miles one way. It took us around 3 hours to see the Upper Geyser Basin, walk to Biscuit, see Biscuit and walk back. Once you are at Biscuit Basin, the entire trail is only .7 miles long. We came on Thursday (9/3) and the crowds weren't that bad. However, going into Labor Day weekend, the traffic got progressively worse as Labor Day got closer. If you choose not to walk to Biscuit from Upper Geyser, there is a small parking lot for Biscuit Basin. Make sure to stop by the Sapphire Pool. It is a deep blue color! See more..
4.5 Dragon's Mouth Springs (426 reviews)
- Impressive Screaming Spring
Bodies of Water

Dragon Mouth Spring is one of the thermal features at Yellowstone you hear before you see it. You also smell it on the way up the boardwalk. The spring roars out of the hole in the rock in a blast of sulfurous steam. A ranger happened to be standing by and answered some of my questions about it including showing me how part of the rock actually broke off the rim in the past few months. This is a great stop as part of the Mud Volcano area. See more..
4.5 Mount Washburn (418 reviews)
- The best hike in Yellowstone
Mountains • National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas

This 10,243-foot peak is located in Yellowstone National Park. See more..
4.5 Fountain Paint Pot (367 reviews)
- Breathtaking Beauty
Hiking Trails • Hot Springs & Geysers

An experience for ALL the senses. Strong smell, beautiful area. Complex natural beauty. If you are going to Yellowstone National Park, you will definitely want to take the time to visit the Fountain Paint Pots. You won't regret it. See more..
4.5 Upper Falls (322 reviews)
- Great views; easy accessible
Waterfalls

We were here in the third week of October as the park was closing down for the summer season. There are great views of the Upper Falls from both the N. Rim Rd. and the S. Rim Rd. There are trails that are very easy and accessible from the parking lots as well as longer hikes going down closer to the water and getting closer to the files. See more..
4.5 South Rim Trail (243 reviews)
- Spectacular!
Historic Walking Areas • Canyons

Considered by many to be the best area to view and explore the Grand Canyon. See more..
4.5 Castle Geyser (235 reviews)
- Magnificent Cone !
Spent < 1 hour Hot Springs & Geysers

A popular geyser in Yellowstone National Park. See more..
4.5 Firehole River (210 reviews)
- Great picnic area!
Bodies of Water

River located in Yellowstone National Park: perfect for fishing, canoeing or watching the geysers erupting. See more..