15 Best things to do and see in Yellowstone [Map + Itinerary + Tips]

Here are some of the best things to do and see in Yellowstone

1. See Old Faithful spout

   The world’s most renowned geyser is a must-see for every Yellowstone visitor. Although Old Faithful isn’t the largest geyser in the world, it is world renowned and eruptions average around 130 feet high. Like its name suggests, Old Faithful erupting promptly every hour and a half. There is even a clock at the Old Faithful Inn that predicts the time of the next eruption.

2. See the Grand Prismatic from above

   The Midway Geyser Basin’s Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States, at approximately 370 feet in size and around 121 feet deep. It’s rainbow waters are fascinating with a cerulean blue center and deep reds, and fiery oranges encircling the edges. These colors are caused by pigmented thermophilic bacteria that thrive on the minerals produced by the geothermic activity.
   
   The color of the bacteria is determined by the temperature of the water – the center is too hot to support life which is then reflected when light hits the organisms. This is one of the park’s most photographed sights, IMHO one of the best things to do in Yellowstone, so expect crowds when you visit. Fog is common until late in the morning on cooler days, so it is recommended to arrive around 10 a.m. Park at the sign for Fairy Falls and hike up to the overlook point which should take about 30 minutes for the best views.

3. Drive through the Lower Geyser Basin

   Many of the thermal features of the Lower Geyser Basin are easily accessed on the one-way 3 mile Firehole Lake Drive. You can access it off the Grand Loop between Old Faithful and Madison. Geysers and hot springs are visible from the road and boardwalk and easy to stop by a few of them.
   

4. Walk along Yellowstone Lake or do a scenic boat ride

   Yellowstone Lake is the park’s largest body of water and the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 feet in North America.  While most of the lake freezes over by early December and stays that way until end of May, summer is a great time for scenic walks, picnics along the shore and boat rides on the lake. Spend at least one night at Lake Yellowstone Hotel for brilliant sunset colors over the lake!
   

5. Learn about the Giant geysers in Norris Geyser

   Although the Norris basin’s geysers don’t erupt like Old Faithful, the geothermal area is one of the best places in Yellowstone to see geysers. The tallest active geyser in the world, Steamboat Geyser is here. It does not erupt often but when it does erupt, it puts on a huge show, shooting 300 feet into the air! Learn about the Giant geysers in Norris Geyser

6. See the Gibbon waterfalls and the river

   There are many waterfalls in Yellowstone, Tower Falls and Gibbons are our favorite. Located on the Gibbon River, the Gibbons falls drop roughly 84 feet in a gradual descent. It is located between Norris Geyser Basin and Madison Junction. You can park in the designated area near the top of the falls for a great view of the falls and the river.

7. Marvel at the Mammoth Hot Spring Terrace

   Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the best things to see in Yellowstone Park. These unique travertine terraces were formed over centuries of hot water bubbling up from the ground through a fault line, cooling and depositing calcium carbonate. Mammoth Hot Springs has two terrace boardwalks, the Upper and Lower.
   
   There are about 50 hot springs within the area. You can hike from the Lower Terrace or you can access the upper boardwalk from the one-way Upper Terrace Drive and parking lot. This is an easier hike where you walk on boardwalks for 1.5 miles taking you through some picturesque parts.

8. See Bison in Hayden Valley

   The lush green valley north of Yellowstone Lake is a place to spot bison, elk, coyotes and even bears. Go early in the morning to see them in the rivers taking a dip. Make sure to stop to see some geothermic activities at the Mud Geyser or Sulphur Spring. Don’t miss Dragon’s Mouth, a turbulent hot spring where the water sloshes rhythmically in and out of the cavern’s mouth giving the impression of an irritated dragon!

9. Saddle up and see the backcountry

   Ride a horse through the backcountry You hardly see about 2% of the 2.2 million acres that make up Yellowstone park when you drive along the Grand loop stopping at all the attractions in Yellowstone. One of the best ways to see the backcountry is to saddle up and go on a trail ride. You can catch a horse ride from the stables near Roosevelt or Canyon village. We took the one from corrals in Canyon that took us through an open meadow and along Cascade Creek through wooded areas and pine forests.

10. See the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from Artists Point

    Formed over thousands of years of erosion and other natural forces, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is an easy 15 minute drive from the Canyon Village area and is also one of the park’s most popular hiking spots. The canyon stretches approximately 20 miles long and nearly a mile wide. Stop at Artists Point on the South Rim and Inspiration Point on the North Rim for the best views of the canyon’s terracotta and oxidized cliff walls. Between the V-shaped valley runs the longest undammed river in the country, meandering for more than 600 miles through Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota.

11. Look for Wildlife in the Lamar Valley

    Lamar Valley is often referred to as “America’s Serengeti” because you can see an abundance of animals here. Bison are most commonly spotted here and know to cause traffic jams! Bring binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for bears, wolves and foxes. We spotted a few bison and a fox snacking on a rabbit here at Lamar Valley. Stop and stretch your legs at the Roosevelt lodge before or after your safari.

12. Hike Mount Washburn

    Tower Falls is located in the northeastern part of Yellowstone near Tower Junction. To see the Tower falls that sits in the middle of some hoodoos and plunges a stunning 132 feet, drive about 2 miles south of Tower-Roosevelt Junction between Tower-Roosevelt Junction and Canyon Village. The viewpoint is roughly 100 yards from the parking area. After that drive up the Dunraven Pass, park at Dunraven Pass Trailhead and hike the 3.1 mile (each way) trail to Mt. Washburn’s 10,243 foot summit. (This is on the wish list for next trip)

13. Have a western cookout

    If you are staying near Roosevelt, you can ride on a horse or in a covered wagon for some real cowboy grub in a Western-style Dinner Cookout. The Ride takes 30 to 45 minutes and takes you through sagebrush flats, following the same road used for the stagecoach rides to the cookout site. The wagons are canvas-covered with padded bench seats. Each wagon is drawn by two horses. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated with advance notice and it would be one of the best things to do in Yellowstone with the kids.

14. Stop for a sunset

    There are several lookout points you can stop at on the way back from Lamar valley to see a sunset. The sky turns into brilliant shades of yellows, golds and oranges and then into purples as the sunsets.

15. Scan the sky for stars at night

    With so little light pollution, you can see the stars in the night sky at Yellowstone. If you are staying in a lodge, drive five to ten minutes away from the parking lots to get a better view.