Yellowstone National Park Guide: Best Time to Visit, Hikes & Itinerary
Explore the world's first national park, a geothermal wonderland of erupting geysers, prismatic pools, and abundant wildlife nestled atop a volcanic caldera. Spanning 2.2 million acres across Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, this un tamed wilderness offers the ultimate American outdoor adventure.
Yellowstone is not just a park; it is a window into the Earth’s primordial soul. As the world’s first national park, it preserves a landscape that feels almost alien, where the ground breathes, hisses, and erupts beneath your feet. Established in 1872, this vast wilderness spanning over 2 million acres sits atop a slumbering supervolcano, fueling the world’s highest concentration of geothermal features. It is a place where fire meets ice, and where the untamed spirit of the American West is most palpable.
Beyond the steam and sulfur, Yellowstone is a sanctuary for North America’s most iconic megafauna. The sweeping valleys of Lamar and Hayden serve as stages for ancient dramas between predator and prey. Here, massive herds of bison thunder across the sagebrush steppe, grizzly bears forage in the meadows, and gray wolves howl under the moonlight. A visit to Yellowstone is a humbling reminder of nature’s raw power and enduring beauty.
Seasonal Weather Guide
Plan your perfect getaway with our detailed seasonal forecast.
The Supervolcano Beneath Your Feet
What makes Yellowstone truly unique is what lies beneath the surface. The entire park is essentially the caldera of a massive supervolcano that last erupted 640,000 years ago. This heat source powers the park’s 10,000 thermal features and 500 active geysers. The sheer variety is staggering, from the acidic, turquoise waters of Norris Geyser Basin to the mud pots that bubble like boiling paint. Understanding this geology transforms a simple sightseeing trip into a journey through geologic time.
The park’s history is also deeply human. Before it was a park, it was a hunting ground and travel route for the Tukudika, Crow, Shoshone, and Bannock peoples for over 11,000 years. Later, the U.S. Army managed the park for three decades, leaving behind the distinctive stone architecture of Fort Yellowstone in Mammoth Hot Springs. Today, that legacy of protection ensures that the fragile thermal crust and the wildlife that depends on it remain untouched for future generations.
Things to Do
Unforgettable experiences await you.
Hike to Grand Prismatic Overlook
Take the Fairy Falls trail for 0.6 miles to reach a viewing platform that offers the best aerial perspective of the park's largest hot spring.
Wildlife Safari in Lamar Valley
Often called the 'Serengeti of North America,' this valley offers the best chance to spot wolf packs, grizzly bears, and massive herds of bison.
Old West Dinner Cookout
Ride a horse or covered wagon to Yancy's Hole near Roosevelt Lodge for a cowboy-style steak dinner under the stars.
Tour Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Walk the boardwalks of these unique travertine formations that look like inside-out caves, constantly changing as water flows over them.
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The Icons You’ll Want to See
Old Faithful - The park’s signature attraction erupts every 60 to 110 minutes, shooting boiling water up to 180 feet in the air. While here, explore the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks (free with park entry) to see hundreds of other features. Located 30 miles from the West Entrance.
Grand Prismatic Spring - Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, this is the third-largest hot spring in the world. Its vivid colors are caused by heat-loving bacteria. The best view is from the overlook on the Fairy Falls trail, a 1.2-mile round trip hike. Admission included in the $35 vehicle pass.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - This dramatic canyon features pink and yellow rhyolite walls and the stunning 308-foot Lower Falls. Artist Point offers the classic view, while the Uncle Tom’s area (when open) offers a steep descent into the canyon. Located near Canyon Village.
Mammoth Hot Springs - Unlike other areas, these terraces are made of travertine limestone, creating cascading white and orange formations. The Lower Terraces are accessible via boardwalks, while the Upper Terraces can be viewed on a scenic drive. Located 5 miles from the North Entrance in Gardiner, MT.
Essential Guide
Everything you need to know.
Must-Visit Spots
Local Cuisine
Where to Stay
Travel Tips
Insider Tips
Planning Your Visit
Getting to Yellowstone requires some strategy. The most common airports are Bozeman (BZN) in Montana or Jackson Hole (JAC) in Wyoming. From there, you will absolutely need a rental car, as public transit within the park is non-existent. The park has five entrances; the North (Gardiner, MT) and Northeast (Cooke City, MT) are the only ones open year-round to regular vehicles. The West, South, and East entrances are seasonal.
Pack layers, regardless of the season. Morning temperatures can be near freezing even in July, while afternoons can get quite warm. Bear spray is a non-negotiable safety item if you plan to hike; you can rent it in gateway towns like West Yellowstone or Canyon Village if you cannot fly with it. Finally, patience is key,
Sample Itineraries
The Grand Loop Classic
A fast-paced tour hitting the absolute highlights of the park's figure-eight road system.
Day 1: Geysers and Thermal Wonders
- Morning: Enter via West Yellowstone and drive 30 miles to the Lower Geyser Basin to walk the Fountain Paint Pot trail ($35 park entry fee valid for 7 days). Plan to arrive at Old Faithful by 9:00 AM to check eruption predictions and explore the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalks.
- Afternoon: Drive north to the Midway Geyser Basin to see Grand Prismatic Spring, but park at the Fairy Falls trailhead for the 1.2-mile roundtrip hike to the overlook for the best view. Grab a quick lunch at the Old Faithful General Store (approx. $15 per person) before heading to the bubbling mud pots at Artist Paintpots.
- Evening: Enjoy a historic dinner at the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, where reservations are essential and entrees range from $25 to $40. Finish the day watching a sunset eruption of Castle Geyser, which occurs less frequently but lasts longer than Old Faithful.
Day 2: Canyon and Valley Wildlife
- Morning: Start early at 7:00 AM and drive through Hayden Valley, the prime spot for seeing bison herds crossing the road and potentially grizzly bears. Continue to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to view the Lower Falls from Artist Point, one of the most photographed spots in the park.
- Afternoon: Drive over Dunraven Pass, the highest road in the park, stopping at the Tower Fall pullout to see the 132-foot waterfall. Head towards Lamar Valley for a late afternoon picnic lunch, keeping eyes peeled for pronghorn antelope.
- Evening: Return to Canyon Village for a casual dinner at the Canyon Eatery ($20 per person) and browse the visitor center exhibits on supervolcanoes. If energy permits, drive back to Hayden Valley at dusk when wildlife activity peaks again.
Day 3: Mammoths and History
- Morning: Drive north to Mammoth Hot Springs to walk the lower and upper terraces, covering about 2 miles of boardwalks among the travertine formations. Visit the Albright Visitor Center to learn about the US Army’s role in protecting the park in the early 1900s.
- Afternoon: Exit the North Entrance to have lunch in Gardiner, Montana, at the Wonderland Cafe for their famous elk burger ($18). Snap a photo under the historic Roosevelt Arch, the original gateway to Yellowstone laid by President Theodore Roosevelt.
- Evening: Drive back south towards Norris Geyser Basin, the hottest and most acidic basin in the park, to walk the Porcelain Basin loop. Conclude your trip with a relaxed evening at the Norris Campground or return to West Yellowstone for souvenir shopping.
Wildlife & Wilderness Immersion
A slower-paced itinerary focused on hiking, wildlife watching, and exploring the northern range.
Day 1: The Serengeti of America
- Morning: Depart Gardiner, Montana before dawn (around 5:30 AM) to reach Lamar Valley at first light, the best time to spot the Junction Butte wolf pack. Bring binoculars and coffee, setting up at a pullout near Slough Creek to watch for movement on the hillsides.
- Afternoon: Drive to the Tower-Roosevelt area and hike the Lost Lake Loop, a moderate 3-mile trail that offers chances to see black bears and beautiful lake views. Stop for a rustic lunch at the Roosevelt Lodge cabins (approx. $20 per person).
- Evening: Sign up for the Old West Dinner Cookout at Roosevelt Lodge, which involves a wagon ride into the valley for steak and cowboy coffee ($70 per person). Return to your lodging slowly, watching for moose near the Northeast Entrance road.
Day 2: Peaks and Falls
- Morning: Tackle the Mount Washburn hike from Dunraven Pass, a 6-mile round trip ascending to 10,243 feet with panoramic views of the entire caldera. The trail is wide and popular, often frequented by bighorn sheep near the summit fire lookout.
- Afternoon: Descend and head toward Canyon Village to refuel, then hike the Uncle Tom’s Trail area (check closures) or the Brink of the Lower Falls trail. This steep switchback trail drops 600 feet allows you to stand right at the lip of the thundering waterfall.
- Evening: Drive south to Lake Village and check into the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, enjoying a cocktail in the sunroom while a string quartet plays. Dinner at the hotel dining room offers upscale local trout dishes ($35-$50 per person).
Day 3: Lake Life and Geothermals
- Morning: Rent a motorboat at the Bridge Bay Marina ($60/hour) to explore Yellowstone Lake, the largest high-elevation lake in North America. Head out to see the remains of the SS E.C. Waters shipwreck near Stevenson Island.
- Afternoon: Drive west to West Thumb Geyser Basin, a smaller but scenic area located directly on the lakeshore where geysers are submerged underwater. Continue to the Old Faithful area to walk the quieter Observation Point trail for a bird’s eye view of the geyser basin.
- Evening: Grab a quick cafeteria-style dinner at the Old Faithful Lodge ($18 per person) to maximize time. Spend the twilight hours walking the paved path to Morning Glory Pool, a 3-mile round trip that passes dozens of active thermal features.
Day 4: The Wild West Exit
- Morning: Sleep in slightly before heading to the Firehole Lake Drive, a one-way road featuring the Great Fountain Geyser. If you are lucky, you might catch a major eruption which shoots water 100 feet into the air in massive bursts.
- Afternoon: Stop at the Fountain Paint Pots to see all four types of thermal features (geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles) in one short walk. Drive along the Madison River looking for elk herds resting in the shade.
- Evening: Exit via West Yellowstone, Montana, and visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center ($15 entry) to see bears up close that cannot survive in the wild. Celebrate the end of the trip with a bison meatloaf dinner at The Branch Restaurant ($28).
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