Best Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a stunningly beautiful slice of Wyoming brimming with must-see natural wonders and things to do.

In addition to its numerous geothermal features, like Old Faithful, this park boasts over 600 lakes, over 70 named mountain peaks, 900+ miles of hiking trails, and millions of acres of star-studded night skies.

Yellowstone is also known as America’s Serengeti due to its abundant and diverse wildlife, including bears, bison, elk, wolves, moose, and badgers. In short, there are plenty of things to do at Yellowstone National Park, regardless of your interests. 

But wait - how do you start exploring a park larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined? We know it's somewhat intimidating, so we curated this list of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park. We've also included some practical tips on the best times to visit, where to stay, and what to wear when planning activities in Yellowstone. 

Key Takeaways

• Canyon Village is an ideal location to stay in Yellowstone if you want to access most parts of the park without driving for long hours. 
• There are five entrances to Yellowstone National Park: North, Northeast, West, East, and South. The West and North entrances are the best if you stay outside the park. 
• What to do at Yellowstone National Park: Old Faithful Geyser and Inn, Grand Prismatic Spring, Morning Glory Pool, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Lamar Valley, Yellowstone Lake, and Norris Geyser Basin. 

Things to Consider Before Visiting Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is located mostly in northwest Wyoming. It also spills into southwest Montana and east Idaho.

The park spans over 2.2 million acres and sits on a supervolcano. While it’s unlikely to erupt, the bubbling geysers, steam vents, and hot springs in this park are visible expressions of the active hydrothermal system at work below the surface. 

Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872, making it the country’s (and probably the world’s) first national park. It’s popular for having the largest collection of geothermal features, with more than half of the world’s active geysers and over 10,000 hydrothermal features. 

Where to stay in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is BIG, so where you stay matters a lot in terms of accessing in-park hotspots. There are six places to stay inside Yellowstone, one of which is centrally located. 

Canyon Village

Canyon Village is the most popular place to stay inside Yellowstone because it’s in the park’s center. If you want to explore the entire park without switching base camp, Canyon Village is a good place to stay in Yellowstone National Park. This village gets its name from its proximity to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - a must-see Yellowstone scenery. 

Accommodation in Canyon Village is offered at one of several cabins within the property, including Canyon Lodge. Canyon Lodge is one of the newest hotels inside Yellowstone, making it a good choice if you’re looking for a more modern lodging experience. The property offers more than 500 rooms and cabins, each with a private bathroom. 

Canyon Village has five restaurants, a visitor center, a range station, and a post office. Other services include a gas station and an auto repair shop. 

For cons, Canyon Village is among the most expensive places to stay in Yellowstone. Rates range between $350 and $1200/night. Canyon Lodge opens from mid-May through early October. 

Mammoth Springs Hotel and Cabins 

Mammoth Springs Hotel and Cabins is a quaint resort located several miles inside the north entrance. This "little town" has served as the park's headquarters since its establishment. There is Fort Yellowstone (where the army protecting the park used to live), a clinic, a hotel, and even a court. 

Mammoth Springs Hotel is situated in a 20th-century elegant building exuding a unique Victorian-style atmosphere. It was renovated in 2019 to add a few modern-day touches, though. 

The best part about staying in this hotel is the convenient location near the steaming terraces of Mammoth Springs - a must-see in Yellowstone. If you’re a wildlife lover, staying at Mammoth Springs Hotel puts you less than 40 minutes away from Lamar Valley. Lamar Valley is one of the best places to visit in Yellowstone as it’s an excellent habitat for wildlife, including bears, bison, wolves, elk, and more. During winter, the hotel also acts as a starting point for guided tours to popular Yellowstone sites, including the park’s Grand Canyon and Old Faithful.

Mammoth Springs Hotel and Cabins operates from late April to October during summer and mid-December to early March during Winter. Prices at Mammoth Springs Hotel start at $152 for the cabins and $205 for hotel rooms. 

Roosevelt Lodge Cabins

Roosevelt Lodge Cabins is a favorite for visitors who want to stay in the northeast corner of Yellowstone, which is less crowded. This rustic lodge was established in 1906 in honor of a camping trip to this area by President Theodore Roosevelt. 

The property features a rustic log lodge with two fireplaces, a lobby bar, a family-style restaurant, and a front porch where you can rock and relax while waiting for your bison sirloin steak dinner. Accommodation is offered in little cabins designed to create a more cowboy feel. There is a general store and a gas station nearby. 

Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins prices start at $104, making it one of the cheapest places to stay inside Yellowstone National Park. Plus, it’s much closer to the wild Lamar Valley than any other hotel inside Yellowstone. 

Roosevelt Lodge is open seasonally from early June through early early September. The facility remains closed during the winter season. 

Old Faithful Area

The Old Faithful area is the most popular in Yellowstone National Park for obvious reasons. It is also the best area to stay for first-time visitors and those coming through the West Entrance from Idaho and West Montana.

There are three places to stay around the Old Faithful area: Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Lodge, and Old Faithful Snow Lodge. 

The Old Faithful Inn is the most popular of the three and the most expensive, too. This 120+ hotel is an enormous National Historic Landmark made of logs and rocks from Yellowstone’s volcanic eruptions. Old Faithful has 327 rooms, including 87 old house rooms without a private bath, modern suites, and deluxe rooms. 

Old Faithful Snow Lodge is called that because it’s the only one that operates even in winter. The Old Faithful Inn opens during summer only from early May through mid-October. 

Yellowstone Lake Area

The Yellowstone Lake area has a lot going on, from fishing to boating to simply having a little resort experience. If you're looking for hotels near Yellowstone Lake, you can base your vacation on two distinct locations: Lake Village and Grant Village. 

Lake Village is at the northern corner of Yellowstone and offers two accommodation options: Lake Yellowstone Hotel (a.k.a. The Grand Lady of the Lake) and Lake Lodge Cabins. 

Grant Village is south of Yellowstone Lake and offers several accommodation options. It is a good area to stay if you plan to explore Grand Teton National Park. 

The best part about staying in the Yellowstone Lake area is all the water activities it offers. The Grant Village area is also frequented by wildlife, such as elk, bison, and bears. 

Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park 

If accommodation inside the park is booked up, consider the towns near Yellowstone’s five entrances:

• North Entrance: Gardiner, MT (5 miles)
• Northeast Entrance: Cooke City, MT (4 miles)
• West Entrance: West Yellowstone, MT (1.5 miles)
• East Entrance: Cody, WY (52 miles)
• South Entrance: Grand Teton/Jackson, WY (57 miles)

Camping in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone camping is one of the top things to do in the park, and it comes in all styles. Yellowstone National Park has 12 developed front country campgrounds with over 2150 campsites. 

Most Yellowstone campgrounds accept reservations, including Bridge Bay, Canyon, Mammoth, Madison, Norris, and Pebble Creek. The park also has a handful of first-come, first-served campgrounds, including Eagle Creek and Mammoth. 

If you prefer a more remote experience, Yellowstone offers several dispersed camping sites that only require permits. Note that these camping sites have no services and little to no facilities. Take your time when preparing your camping checklist to ensure you have everything you need.

How Many Days Do You Need in Yellowstone 

Plan to spend at least three days in Yellowstone. However, if you have the time, it’s recommended to spend five full days to experience the top things to do in Yellowstone, including hiking, catching sunsets, viewing wildlife, and, of course, discovering America’s largest geysers. 

What to Wear When Visiting Yellowstone National Park

If you’re visiting Yellowstone during the summer, it’s best to dress in layers. Wear insulating underwear to keep you cool and dry, a mid-weight insulating layer (wool or synthetic fleece), and a waterproof/windproof outer layer. Check out Kuhl’s women’s hiking clothing or men’s outdoor wear for an awesome vacation at Yellowstone. 

Here are other items you should include in your backpacking checklist for Yellowstone National Park:

• A hat
• Gloves
• Light wool or synthetic liner socks
• Hiking or athletic shoes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent 
• Binoculars 
• Bear spray 
• Airhorn 
• A water bladder (so you stay hydrated)
• First aid kit ( use this first aid checklist to put one together)

What to Do and See in Yellowstone National Park

There’s no way a single post like this can capture all Yellowstone highlights. So, let’s dive right into the top things to see in Yellowstone. You shouldn’t miss these things, especially if you’re pressed for time. 

Old Faithful Geyser

Yellowstone is home to more than half of the world’s geysers. But Old Faithful has been running the show for over a decade due to its enormous eruptions that reach heights of up to 184 feet.

It’s called Old Faithful because it has erupted regularly for as long as records have existed. 

Old Faithful erupts at intervals of 35 to 120 minutes and 92 minutes on average. Each eruption lasts 1.5 to 5 minutes and spews 3700 to 8400 gallons of boiling water into the air. 

Location: Old Faithful is in the Lower Loop, meaning it’s best accessed via the West Entrance. 

Morning Glory Pool

While you’re still around the Old Faithful area, check out Morning Glory Pool. It’s among the most photographed sites in the Upper Basin thanks to its beautiful blue water caused by light reflecting. 

Like other hydrothermal features in this park, Morning Glory Pool gets its water heated by Yellowstone’s volcano. Unfortunately, heavy visitation has seen visitors throwing coins and plastic bottles into the pool. This has caused the water temperatures to cool, leading to the growth of microbial mats along the edges, as evidenced by the orange and yellow hues. Remember to be a respectful tourist. 

Location: Morning Glory Pool is about a mile away from Old Faithful. Some boardwalks lead to the pool from Old Faithful Inn. 

Mammoth Hot Springs 

Nestled in the park's northern area, around 15 minutes from Gardiner, Montana, Mammoth Hot Springs are among the best things to see at Yellowstone. A unique aspect of these Yellowstone hot springs are the limestone terraces, which form as hot water cools and deposits tons of calcium carbonate to create what looks like a frozen waterfall. 

Mammoth Hot Springs is best viewed from wooden boardwalks that traverse some of the terraces. Plus, there are signs explaining some cool stuff about each formation. This makes for an easy hike (lasts under two hours), albeit not wheelchair accessible. 

Location: Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the northernmost Yellowstone attractions. It is located just south of North Entrance, roughly 15 minutes from Gardiner. 

Itchy for a Hike around Mammoth? 

Hike Bunsen Peak 

Bunsen Peak is among the best hikes for visitors exploring the Mammoth area. This 6-mile (one-way), moderately challenging route starts about five miles south of Mammoth on Grand Loop Road. 

The trail meanders through some forested and open areas, treating you to stunning views of the Gallatin Mountain Range, Swan Lake Flats, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Golden Gate. The views from the summit are otherworldly. Bring enough water and snacks to celebrate your moment at the summit. 

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Although not comparable to Arizona’s Grand Canyon, the little Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a must-see. 

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a 24-mile long, 0.25-0.75-mile wide gorge into which the Yellowstone River flows. It has two rims to visit (the North and South Rim), each with several outlooks offering fantastic geology and colour perspectives. 

The most popular lookout points on the north rim include Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Inspiration Point, and Grand View. The unmissable lookout points on the south rim include Canyon Overlook, Sunset Point, Artist’s Point, and Point Sublime. 

The area around the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone also offers some of the most challenging hiking trails in the park. Endurance hikers should attempt the Seven Mile Hole Trail - a nearly 10-mile, challenging trail that leads to the bottom of the little Grand Canyon. 

Location: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is located in the eastern area of the park. It’s about 4.2 miles from Canyon Village via Grand Loop Road. 

Lamar Valley

A perfect trip to Yellowstone must include a drive to the Lamar Valley. It’s not part of the attractions along Grand Loop Road. Nevertheless, you’ll be glad to work the drive if you are a big wildlife fan or are visiting Yellowstone as a family. 

The Lamar Valley is often called America’s Serengeti due to the abundant wildlife that roam freely there. Expect to see massive herds of bison, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep. If you arrive in the morning, you have a good chance of seeing grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, otters, coyotes, foxes, and various birds of prey. 

Location: Lamar Valley is in the northeastern area of Yellowstone between the Northeast entrance and Tower Junction.

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone has a lot more to offer besides geysers and bison. If you’re visiting with kids, Yellowstone Lake is an area of the park you must explore. 

Yellowstone Lake is the largest water body in North America (second in the world) at an elevation above 7700 feet. This makes it a geological wonder that one should see at least once. 

Swimming is not advised in Yellowstone Lake, given its freezing water. But the lake offers tons of other fun activities, including boating, fishing, and enjoying boat cruises. 

Plus, several trails start around the Yellowstone Lake area, including:

• Elephant Back Mountain Trail (3.5-mile lollipop trail)
• Storm Point Loop Trail (2.3 miles)
• Natural Bridge Trail (2.5 miles)
• Pelican Creek Trail (0.8 miles)

Location: Yellowstone Lake is located in the southeast area of the park. It’s among the best Yellowstone National Park things to do in the Lower Loop. West Entrance is the closest and most convenient if you’re heading to Yellowstone Lake. 

Old Faithful Inn 

The Old Faithful Inn is among the best places to see in Yellowstone, even if you’re not planning to stay there. Completed in 1904, the Old Faithful Inn is considered one of the oldest log structures in the world. 

It was designed by the then 29-year-old Robert Reamer to reflect the beautiful chaos of nature - something that it does so perfectly. For most visitors, the most intriguing aspect of this rustic “parkitecture” is the naturally curved tree trunks and branches used for the balconies. 

The 85-foot-tall stone fireplace and an enormous handmade wall clock are other aspects that make this inn an architectural masterpiece. Guests also enjoy relaxing on the second and third-floor balconies. But perhaps the best thing to do at Old Faithful Inn is to climb to the roof for panoramic views of the geysers. 

Location: Old Faithful Inn is next to Old Faithful Geyser in the Lower Loop. The West Entrance is the best for this Yellowstone must-see. 

Grand Prismatic Spring

Morning Glory Pool may be majestic and heavily visited, thanks to its proximity to Old Faithful. But most people agree that the Grand Prismatic Spring is the real star of the show as far as springs are concerned. 

The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest in Yellowstone and the third-largest globally. But what pulls people to it are the bright rainbow hues that give it a surreal appearance. 

The most popular way of experiencing the Grand Prismatic Spring is by taking a 0.8-mile stroll on a boardwalk that traverses the pools in this area. But for the most impressive vantage, we recommend hiking the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook trail. The overlook offers a higher viewpoint of the spring, allowing for the best Instagram photos. The trail is 1.6 miles long (out and back) and takes roughly 20 minutes to reach the overlook. 

Location: Grand Prismatic Spring is in the Midway Geyser Basin, about 7.5 miles north of Old Faithful and roughly 25 miles from the West Entrance. Vehicles can be parked at the Midway Geyser Basin or Fairly Falls parking lot. 

Norris Geyser Basin

The Norris Geyser Basin is another out-of-this-world area of Yellowstone. It is one of 11 geyser basins in Yellowstone. So, what makes it unique and worth the visit?

The Norris Geyser Basin is closest to the magma underneath, so it has the hottest geysers and changes the most. Secondly, the Norris Geyser Basin is home to the world's tallest active geyser - Steamboat Geyser, which erupts every five days. Its largest eruptions blast water over 300 feet into the air and last 1-4 minutes. 

Once in the Norris area, check out the small visitor center and bookstore built in the 1930s. You can also hike two trails here: Porcelain Basin (one-mile loop) and Back Basin (1.7 miles). 

Location: Norris Geyser Basin is in the west area of the park at the intersection of Grand Loop Road and Norris Canyon Road. It’s best accessed from the west entrance. 

Final Thoughts

So, that’s a wrap for what to do in Yellowstone National Park. There’s a reason this park is among the best-known in the world. It’s a unique area of earth where nature has been left to take its course. While it’s understandably crowded in the summer, if you can visit it, GO!

Featured image by: west7megan.