Top Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
Top 10 Free Things to do in Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone National Park
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.
1. Artist Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,292 reviews
Reviewed By Tommy599 - Two Rivers, United States
We crossed Chittenden bridge across the Yellowstone river; stopping first at Uncle Toms to view the smaller upper Falls, then on to Artist Point to view the MAGNIFICENT lower falls and the unbelievable colors of the canyon. It is IMPOSSIBLE to describe the majesty of this waterfall and canyon colors, so we will not even try,
2. Shoshone Lake
3. Slough Creek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
This creek provides gorgeous scenery along with some of the best cutthroat fishing around.
Reviewed By parksvisitor - Maple Grove, United States
We drove to Slough Creek because my wife had camped here many times in the past. We got to the end of the road and found a beautiful and peaceful scene along the river and an excellent place for lunch with picnic tables right along the river. Even if you don't fish, this is a must see place, especially if you are coming in the northeast entrance.
4. Biscuit Basin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 449 reviews
Reviewed By Trisheee - Germantown, United States
Great walk around more hot pools. The Sapphire Pool is life very. I really enjoyed this short stop one afternoon. There are numerous thermal features a short drive from Old Faithful.
5. Midway Geyser Basin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 579 reviews
Reviewed By lanceo53
While visiting Yellowstone NP, one of the stops should definitely be the Midway Geyser Basin...an easy stroll on a boardwalk trail, and the things you see are like you are on another planet !!! Visually stunning, breathtaking. And that's before you even get to the Grand Prismatic Spring !!! We happened to be there at sunset and got some absolutely outstanding photos !!! Cut to the chase, no more words...JUST SEE IT !!! If your schedule allows, try to visit Yellowstone either in the Spring, before Memorial Day weekend...and for sure before July 4th, or visit in early Fall, just after Labor Day weekend. You will not have to deal with the huge crowds, the congestion, the noise, the hassle of parking, etc. etc. We went the first full week after Labor Day and the crowds were GONE !!! Easy to park, easy to take photographs...heck, not many people were even at some of the places we visited. But bring layers of clothes, because even though the days will be comfortable, the evenings will be quite cold...we even had snow and freezing temps a couple of days !!! But it was so worth it not having to contend with the tourist season crowds. And you see so much more wildlife, too...the animals are finally able to come out into the open and not be confronted with thousands of people bothering them. Take lots of photos...Enjoy !!!
6. Norris Porcelain Basin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By PandaHouston - Houston, United States
Porcelain Basin and Back Basin are part of the Norris Geyser Basin. The trail for Porcelain Basin is shorter than Back Basin and the loop is only .6 miles long. There are also more active geysers in Porcelain Basin. We arrived at 8 am on a Saturday (9/5) and walked Back Basin first. There was hardly anyone around when we arrived. We spent an hour at Porcelain Basin and another hour at Back Basin. Because it was early morning, the air was cooler which was evidenced by a lot of steam from the geysers. This can make the geysers hard to see. For that reason, many people choose to visit the basins in the afternoon when the steam burns off.
7. Uncle Tom's Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 552 reviews
Reviewed By T5277GNjonathanl
Disclaimer: if you have heart or lung disease or are in poor physical shape, do not take this trail. As much as it is a great workout that everyone should try, do not endanger yourself. With that being said, this is a spectacular trail and a great way to experience what Yellowstone Falls really has to offer. There are two ways to access this trail. #1. From Grand Loop Rd, turn onto S Rim Drive. After 0.6 miles or 1km, you will see a left turn lane. Taking this lane will take you to the busy lookout of the two, but no fear because you can quickly snap a picture and head down good ol' Uncle Tom's Trail without further delay. #2. If you continue another approximately 0.7 miles (a little over 1km) on S Rim Drive, you will get to another parking lot with a big sign saying 'Artist's Point'. I'm not sure as to whether or not that's where the trailhead for the Artist's Point trail is; you'll have to look at a different page for that. Parking here will give you the better view for the falls if you don't want to have crowds in your picture. However, you will need to take a 45 minute hike to even get to the trailhead for Uncle Tom's Trail. The hike (it's called S Rim Trail) starts near the outhouses. So, choose wisely. Uncle Tom's Trail itself is a blast. The stairs are on the side of a rock face. It's basically all stairs if you didn't know. While there are safety railings for the entirety of the trail, life harnesses are not included. So, be careful, take breaks (there are benches) and get ready to enjoy a significantly less crowded view of the Falls. Enjoy!
8. Canyon Visitor Education Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 142 reviews
Reviewed By jesseo582 - Jackson, United States
Visitors often have trouble visualizing the Yellowstone hot spot, especially with internet sources screaming “the Supervolcano is overdue” so frequently. Yellowstone volcanism is presented in perspective here with nature, media, art, Native culture and earthquakes in a most educational balance. Often visitors only allow themselves one day to see the park and so have to miss the visitor centers. Please plan ahead for several days and take advantage of this outstanding resource to help appreciate the wonders of the park much better.
9. Firehole Canyon Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 617 reviews
Reviewed By Nyormirror - Bay City, United States
Firehole Lake Drive is a 3-mile, one-way side road off the Grand Loop located between the Old Faithful exit and Madison Junction. It has many geysers and hot springs that you can see from the road. There is also a boardwalk around the Firehole Lake itself, leading you to small geysers and springs. We saw people swimming and some bison and pronghorn. I would recommend.
10. Old Faithful Visitor Education Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 694 reviews
Reviewed By billandgeorgeanna - Lake Havasu City, United States
We always start our visit at the Visitor's Center and if they have a video or two spend the time to watch before we tour the area. They had a great video on the history which ended just in time for us to get a great spot to watch Old Faithful.
