Top Things to do in Yellowstone National Park
Top 10 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. Lower Yellowstone River Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,417 reviews
A spectacular waterfall located in Canyon Country.
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. 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,
3. Lamar Valley
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,998 reviews
Reviewed By FancyFree55 - Florida, United States
This route is an amazing drive into the park, with large herds of buffalo grazing in vast fields on both sides of the northeast entrance road. It seemed that our visit coincided with birthing season, when lots of calves were just joining families. They're an unusual orange-brown color, compared with the very dark fur of their parents.' Tourists parked all over the sides of the highway to stop for close-up photos these incredible animals. When I say close-up, I mean with a good zoom. Park signage warns you not to get nearer than 75 yards because the animals are very fast and, if they feel like their babies are threatened, they will charge. We were very fortunate to also spot a small herd of pronghorn elk grazing not far from the road and got some great pix. The drive itself is beautiful, with mountains off in the distance, and a river winding through vast green along and around the roadway.
4. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,017 reviews
Reviewed By USN_Seabee_Wife - Chehalis, United States
#1 Rule: Don't forget your camera, make sure your batteries are charged and that you have plenty of SD cards for your digital camera. What is here: The dramatic, 1,000-foot-deep Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone rewards visitors with dazzling views of multi-hued rock walls and majestic waterfalls. With walking and hiking trails for all abilities, and learning opportunities for the whole family, it’s easy to spend an entire day in this unique area of the park. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is roughly 20 miles long and varies from 1,500 to 4,000 feet wide. Geologists believe it was formed as the Yellowstone River eroded softer, less resistant rock that had been weakened by hydrothermal gases and hot water. The colorful canyon is a natural work of art: streaks of red, orange, gold, black, and even green decorate the canyon walls. Several miles of trails connect 10 primary overlooks that afford dramatic views from both sides of the canyon. When we went there had been snowfall and it made the most beautiful pictures since it was combined with all of the colors of the canyon. Whether it’s your first visit to Yellowstone, or you visit regularly, everyone loves a summer day in the park. Here’s how to get the most out of yours. The best way to experience all the different facets of the canyon’s charm is to pick a trail and go for a hike. There are many trails along both canyon rims, from short jaunts to all-day treks. Here are a few of our favorites: Brink of the Lower Falls Trail (moderate): Descend 600 feet on a steep trail to get an up-close and personal view of the Lower Falls in all its thundering power. 0.7 miles, round-trip Seven Mile Hole Trail (strenuous): You’ll want to commit a whole day to this trail – the only one that leads to the canyon bottom.10.2 miles, round-trip Point Sublime Trail (easy): After visiting the Artist Point overlook, follow the South Rim Trail beyond Artist Point to this less-traveled path, which meanders along the canyon rim to the aptly named Point Sublime. 1.3 miles from Artist Point to Point Sublime View the Canyon and Falls While some views of the canyon and falls are only accessible by trail, you can still get to the following overlooks by car and a short walk from the parking lots on paved, accessible walkways. From North Rim Drive: View the Lower Falls from Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point. Both waterfalls are visible from Brink of the Lower Falls. From South Rim Drive: See the Upper Falls from two viewpoints at Uncle Tom’s Point. View the Lower Falls at Artist Point. Several of the canyon overlooks and trails, which were originally built in the 1930s, are being rehabilitated with support from Yellowstone Forever. Over the years, they have been hammered by unforgiving weather, compromised by soil erosion, and damaged by increased visitation. In recent years, these conditions have prompted some temporary or long-term closures.
5. Yellowstone National Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,551 reviews
Reviewed By payelchakravorti - Melbourne, Australia
Yellowstone National Park should be in anyone’s bucket list who loves the bond between nature & wildlife.Dramatic landscape,Alpine Forest, Gushing Geyser,Fuming Hot Spring, Volcanic Caldera, Bubbling Basin,Colourful pool,Scenic Lake,Hiking trail what all what not. This topography is the perfect choice for photography & a traveler's stop.The whole area is atop of a volcano & the vesicles give a rough & porous texture on the earth’s outer crust.It exactly looks like a painful blister on earth’s skin. I was taken aback to see snow fudge & thermal spring dwelling together without losing their own identity.It’s magic, bounty of nature.Get out of the car & explore this beautiful piece of the planet by walk. Time plays a major role, if someone wants to enjoy the hot spring flow.It's once in a lifetime experience & want to go back again after some years.
6. Grand Prismatic Spring
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,056 reviews
Brightly-colored hot spring, the result of algae that live in the water.
Reviewed By WanderingWithUsTwo - Phoenix, United States
One of the most popular and colorful is obviously the Grand Prismatic Spring. There are many others throughout the park and they even offer a small theater presentation about hot springs and geysers if you want to learn more. If you visit and want to see an aerial view you should stop by the nearby parking lot which has a trail that takes you to see the spring from above via the Fairy Falls trail. This gives you some better perspective of the entire spring and the surrounding areas. We hope to be back for several days next time and camp at one of the many campgrounds they have along the rivers! - @wanderingwithustwo
7. Mammoth Hot Springs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,124 reviews
Beautiful limestone formations make this hot spring unique.
Reviewed By JerryR10 - Salt Lake City, United States
My wife, our son (17), and I have been in Yellowstone once before and were happy to come back. The Park is vast so we hadn't been to the Mammoth Hot Springs area on our first visit. We stayed nearby in Gardiner, MT, just outside the Park. Mammoth Hot Springs is beautiful, both for the larger-scale geology and the fine details that you see as new travertine terraces form, boling water flows, films and tendrils of extremophile bacteria grows, and so on. The hot springs change over time based on what's happening with the water below, so you see a mix of areas that are flowing and growing and areas that are dormant and decaying. We walked the full loop along boardwalks and the road, to see every vantage point. We did this first on Sunday morning, when it was quite busy, and again on Wednesday morning before breakfast when we had it almost to ourselves. Wonderful.
8. Old Faithful
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,900 reviews
A popular geyser located in the Geyser Country region of Yellowstone National Park.
Reviewed By kellymV538YL
While on a trip to Yellowstone we went to watch the beauty of old faithful send its wonderful jet of hot steam up..its a dependable geyser since it erupts about every hour and it's a true wonder to film and enjoy later at home...I have seen it several times in my lifetime and hope to see it several more...the crowds were great with people from other countries enjoying the sight as well...I reccomend it to anyone planning on taking a trip to Wyoming to go to Yellowstone park but make ur reservations about a year ahead to get a cabin..the western cabins are very nice at old faithful snow lodge.qe stayed there 3 nights..its not cheap but very worth price as it's close to geysers and shops.
9. Grand Loop Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 758 reviews
A 140-mile scenic drive past some of Yellowstone's most famous sites.
Reviewed By 0617merS - Columbus, United States
We had one day to explore Yellowstone, we had never been there before and we wanted to take advantage of the day we had and see the most. We did our Yellowstone day on June Monday, June 10. It was very early in the season which was great in that the crowds were low and the traffic was as well and easy in and out of parking lots, allowing us to navigate the park at a good pace. Also, it is SO WORTH the $6 to get the GYPSY app of yellowstone. Download it before you go and enjoy the commentary along your drive through the park. We were staying in Teton Village, we got up around 2:30 and got on the road. We decided to only do the lower loop. We arrived at Old Faithful about 5:45 and it was perfect timing, because it erupted at 6am. We then walked the upper geyser board walks and made our way back to the car and on the way to the upper view point of grand prisim. It's about a mile walk and the view of grand prisim is perfect from up there. We then headed to the artist paint pots and walked the mile trail there. This was well worth our stop, the topography and colors are just very unique. We then stopped at Gibbons Falls and checked out the view from there. By this time we were heading to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and took the one way road off the beaten path to check out Virginia falls (thanks to GYPSY app) this is a beautiful drive and I highly suggest it, however you can only do it if you're traveling clockwise around the loop, or you can back track your drive. We got to Canyon Village about 11:15 and ate at the dinner in the general store, and did a quick little shopping and headed out to the trail that leads to lower falls, a spectacular view from the look outs there, went to inspiration point, and then over to artist look out and then made around way to our last stop on the loop, to West Thumb, parked and did the board walk 1 mile walk, this is a stunning look at lake yellowstone, it's blue waters and the geyesers that boarder it. We then left at the same south gate we entered and headed back. I believe we left the park around 5:30 and hit jackson Hole around 7:30 and ate there before heading back to teton village. We were nervous about doing YS in a day, but if you're able to get there early enough, it's more than doable....and early morning is when the wildlife is out. There's bathrooms at almost every trail head and if you pack food, and are able bodied, you can do this. I think we clocked 10 miles this day, but we all said, it was worth it!!
10. Hayden Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,101 reviews
Reviewed By AnnaRabea - California, United States
Hayden Valley at dusk was magical. Peacefully grazing herds of elk, bison wandering along the road, a wolf far off in the distance, and all that with perfect gentle lighting - memories we will keep forever!
