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Ultimate Yellowstone National Park Guide and Itinerary

Ultimate Yellowstone National Park Guide and Itinerary - Morning Glory Pool

Yellowstone National Park is world-renowned for its epic landscapes, unique wildlife, and fascinating natural history. Each year millions of people come from all over the globe to witness Yellowstone’s wonders, and for some, it has been a lifetime dream. In this blog post, I am sharing everything you need to know to plan your own trip to Yellowstone National Park, including all the best things to see and do!

If you’re new to my blog you may not know that I visited all the US national parks in 2017 , so this guide truly comes from firsthand experience. To date I have visited Yellowstone National Park five times, and I plan to visit many more times in the future!

Disclaimer : This blog post may feature some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways I can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers. Learn more about my affiliate policy  here . Thank you for the support!

Yellowstone National Park Guide

Yellowstone National Park has a rich history. It was established as a national park by US congress in 1872 , and signed into law by president Ulysses S Grant. This was the first national park in the entire world, and paved the way for the protection of future national parks all over the globe.

Today, Yellowstone remains as probably the most well-known of the US national parks, and in recent times has opened its gates to roughly 4 million people each year . It sits in the north-western portion of Wyoming, but a small part of the park extends into both Idaho and Montana. Within the boundaries of the park also happens to be the Yellowstone Caldera , a 34 x 45 mile super volcano within the national park. With this comes extreme volcanic and seismic activity, the reason for its thousands of geothermal features, geysers, and springs.

Taking a road trip to Yellowstone is a dream for a lot of Americans, and it’s also a huge draw for visitors from all around the globe. Thankfully it is quite easy to get around Yellowstone, and can be rather affordable if you are willing to camp or plan ahead. In this guide I will go over everything you need to know , including how to get there, where to stay, the best things to do, photography tips, and more! I hope this is able to make your Yellowstone adventure the best it could possibly be.

When to visit Yellowstone

Yellowstone is technically open year-round , but there are a lot of closures during the winter period in the park from October till May. The most popular times to visit are June through August, but personally my favorite months in the park are May, September, and early October when the crowds are smaller and it should be free of snow. You can still visit Yellowstone during the winter , but personal vehicles will be limited to the road between Gardiner (MT) and Cooke City (MT), the only part of the park where the road is open and maintained in winter. To reach the other parts of the park you will need to have a means of cross-snow travel such as a snowmobile, or take a tour through the park on one of the snow-cats. Be sure to check out the park’s website to research road closures before visiting as dates change every season depending on the weather.

How to get to Yellowstone National Park

The Yellowstone region is in a pretty remote area of the country, located almost 5 hours from the nearest major city (Salt Lake City). There are a number of ways for guests to access the park , and I will go into detail about some of them below.

Arrive by car

Yellowstone has five entrance stations that are each located in different sections of the park. Where you are driving from previously will determine which of these you will want to enter. The most popular entrance is West Yellowstone as it is the quickest entrance to reach from Salt Lake City (4.5-5 hour drive). Salt Lake City is the nearest major city from which you can fly into and drive from. Another popular way to enter the park is the south entrance station, being just a short drive from Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole Airport.

Use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals and for car rentals compare using Kayak across multiple rental agencies.

Arrive by plane

While you cannot fly directly into Yellowstone National Park, you can fly into one of a few nearby towns . The closest of which is West Yellowstone, only a short 5 minute drive from the West Yellowstone entrance. Bozeman (MT) and Jackson Hole (WY) are a couple of alternate options, both being less than a 1.5 hour drive from Yellowstone entrances.

Arrive on a tour

There are a variety of options if you would prefer to visit the park on a guided tour . The advantage of this is that the logistics are all sorted for you! Here are some amazing tour options:

  • 4 Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Nature Tour
  • Private 2-Day Tour of Yellowstone National Park
  • Yellowstone National Park – Full-Day Lower Loop Tour
  • Yellowstone Private Fishing Trip
  • Yellowstone Lake Guided Sea Kayak Tour

Where to stay

Guests have a range of options for accommodation during their visit to Yellowstone National Park. You will have the choice to stay in Anything from camping in a tent to a stay at the historic Old Faithful Inn,

Yellowstone hotels

  • Old Faithful Inn : historic lodge located in the most popular part of the park. Walking distance to Old Faithful Geyser, as well as many others on the Upper Geyser Basin Loop. Also features a beautiful dining hall, cafeteria, gift shop, and coffee cart. Lodge rooms and suites available.
  • Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins : famous hotel located near the Mammoth Hot Springs. Options for hotel rooms, suites, or cabins. Walking distance to Mammoth Hot Springs area and nearby dining hall, general store, and gift shop. One of two accommodations open in the winter, and the only accessible by car in winter.
  • Canyon Lodge & Cabins : Largest hotel in the park, featuring more than 500 rooms, restaurants, and a gift shop. Options for cabins, suites or standard lodge rooms.
  • Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins : beautifully located right next to the Old Faithful Geyser. One of only two accommodation options in the park in winter, and only accessible by snow cat in winter. Has a dining room, grill, and gift shop. Other options include Lodge Lake Cabins , Old Faithful Lodge and Cabins , Lake Yellowstone Hotel , Roosevelt Lodge and Grant Village .

Yellowstone camping

  • Twelve campgrounds located in the park. Five can be reserved through  here  (options to tent camp or stay in a camper van/RV), rest are first-come, first-served.
  • Nearby dispersed camping can be found through  freecampsites.net ,  Campendium , and   iOverlander
  • Alternatively use The Dyrt to find your campsite, use my code reneeroaming for a free 30 day trial.

Stay outside of the park

There are a range of options outside the park , but the closest are in the towns of West Yellowstone (MT), Cooke City (MT), and Gardiner (MT). Here are a few of my recommendations:

  • Crosswinds Inn : comfortable and affordable hotel that is walking distance from West Yellowstone restaurants, and a 3 minute drive from the west entrance station.
  • Under Canvas Yellowstone : try out glamping and be located just 10 minutes from Yellowstone’s west entrance.
  • Travelodge by Wyndham Gardiner :  affordable accommodation just a few miles from the north entrance station.
  • Alpine Motel of Cooke Cit y : basic accommodation in the heart of beautiful Cooke City. Great base for wildlife viewing at the Lamar Valley.

Nearby vacation rentals

Below are some suggested vacation rentals close to Yellowstone National Park, including near the west, north and east entrances:

  • Trapper Cabin : adorable cabin in West Yellowstone with covered porch.
  • Kozy Cabin : larger cabin option also in West Yellowstone with views over Denny’s Creek
  • The F ishing Shack : located on the Madison River this spacious cabin sleeps up to 8 people and is in beautiful peaceful setting
  • Denny Creek Cabin : basic newly built cabin in West Yellowstone with gorgeous wooden rustic beds
  • Yellowstone Beauty Loft House : as the name suggests this beautiful loft house is an amazing place to stay in Gardiner
  • Rigler’s River Rest : Riverside cabin with beautiful deck and firepit for cosy evenings near North Yellowstone entrance
  • Riverfront Cabin : Spacious cabin with incredible views to the north entrance
  • Carbella Cabin : Beautiful A-Frame cabin with huge windows and wonderful views across the park.

Best things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is a huge park, with so many stops along the way to keep visitors busy. As such, below you will find each area broken down into it’s own section along with my top recommendations.

Old Faithful / Upper Geyser Basin

Upper Geyser Basin is the busiest area of the park, and for good reason! Here there is ample parking, a gas station, lodging, a variety of food options, and access to many hiking trails. It is also home to the famous Old Faithful Geyser , which was first discovered in 1872 and named for its long history of predictable eruptions. This is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the park, and can get very busy. I recommend visiting it in the early morning or later in the evening when it will be a little quieter. You can see the estimated time of the next eruption on the board at the nearby visitor center..

This area is also home to the most densely populated geyser basin in the world, the Upper Geyser Basin. It can be seen via an easy 3 mile loop , and is one of my absolute favorite things to do in Yellowstone National Park. It’s hard to go wrong on any of the hikes in this area (they’re all spectacular!) but you can join a guided hike if you want to get a little more local knowledge while you explore.

Many of these geysers along this walk go off at regular, predictable intervals, so be sure to check in at the Old Faithful Visitor Center before beginning your hike to help you plan when to see the eruptions. Some of the must see stops are Castle Geyser, Riverside Geyser, Grotto Geyser, and Morning Glory Pool. Beehive Geyser is incredible if you can catch it going off!

While you are in the area, I also suggest you going inside the Old Faithful Inn , even if you are not staying there.

Built in 1903 using local wood and stone, this is considered the largest log construction in the world and is absolutely stunning. The dining hall food is also quite delicious if you’re feeling hungry! If you are after something a little faster and cheaper, the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria on the other side of Old Faithful geyser has some great options.

Biscuit Basin

Just north of the Old Faithful is another beautiful part of the Upper Geyser Basin, Biscuit Basin . The best way to explore Biscuit Basin is via its short loop trail (0.65 miles). Along the way you will see geysers and colorful hot pools, including Black Opal Pool, Jewel Geyser, Sapphire Pool, Shell Spring, Mustard Spring, Avoca Spring, and Black Pearl Geyser.

Grand Prismatic Spring

The Grand Prismatic Spring is possibly the most recognizable feature in all of Yellowstone. Due to its popularity, I recommend getting here early in the morning or later in the afternoon so it’s a little quieter in terms of crowds. If you don’t want to plan all your stops yourself, consider taking a guided tour! This full-day tour includes Grand Prismatic as one of the highlighted stops.

There are two ways to see the spring. The first way is to park at the Grand Prismatic Spring Parking Lot and take a short boardwalk loop trail that goes right by the spring. This is beautiful, but if you will also want to see that famous postcard viewpoint from. To do this you will need to park at the Fairy Falls Trail Parking Lot and hike a short 1 mile round-trip trail to the overlook . Be aware there is a short but relatively steep uphill section, so those with difficulties walking may want to stick to the boardwalk mentioned previously.

Norris Geyser Basin

The Norris Geyser Basin is one of the most impressive geyser viewing areas of the park. It is home to the hottest and oldest of the geysers in the park, with some thermal features in the area dating back at least 115,000 years. It is also the home of Steamboat Geyser , the tallest geyser in the world, which can erupt up to 400 (120m) feet high! Unfortunately Steamboat’s eruptions are not on a predictable schedule, but you might just get lucky! There are two sections to explore in the Norris Geyser Basin, one being the Porcelain Basin (3/4 mile, 1.2km), and the other being the Back Basin (1.5 miles, 2.4km). I recommend checking both out as they are relatively short walks and both have some really unique features worth seeing. If you only have time for one, Porcelain Basin would be my pick.

Mammoth Hot Springs

The travertine terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs are a unique and beautiful sight within Yellowstone National Park. The soft, earthy tones here and so pleasing to the eye, and there are some really amazing textures throughout the landscape which are always really cool to see. The area has a few different parking lots that you can use to park for exploring these terraces, just pick one that has space and walk as far as you like. There’s a nice boardwalk that takes you from the parking lots to all of the features, but do be aware there are quite a few stairs. Mammoth Hot Springs is a popular stop on any visit to Yellowstone, so you can always explore this area with the help of a tour. This 2-day guided exploration of Yellowstone and this 4-day tour both include stops to explore here.

If you’re a history buff, you can also check out the historic Fort Yellowstone . In the early days of the national park US soldiers were sent into Yellowstone by the Secretary of Interior after issues with poaching, vandalism, etc. Their living quarters remain to this day and tours are available through the park. In this area is also the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel , as well as a gas station, public restrooms, cafeteria, dining hall, gift shop, and general store.

Lamar Valley

America’s Serengeti – this is a name often used to describe Lamar Valley . This is probably my favorite part of the whole national park, and one that I spend a lot of time in with each visit. The Lamar Valley is a large river valley surrounded by mountains and filled to the brim with wildlife. It is home to the famous Junction Butte and Lamar Canyon wolf packs , as well as huge herds of bison, pronghorn, grizzly bears, badgers, bald eagles, and more. What I love about the Lamar Valley is that you are always bound to see something exciting. Whether it’s being held up by a large herd of bison crossing the road , a lucky encounter with one of the wolf packs, or getting to see a grizzly bear cross the Lamar River, I’ve always been left in awe by this place. Your best chance at these special sightings is getting there very early in the morning , or staying out close to sunset as the animals are more active during these times. Remember to bring binoculars! IT is also a really fun experience to visit Lamar Valley with a naturalist guide. You can book a tour that will provide all the scopes and binoculars you need, too.

There are no hotels in the Lamar Valley, but there are a couple of small primitive campgrounds (Slough Creek and Pebble Creek). These are first-come first-served, and are definitely hard to secure with their limited availability, so plan to get there very early if you want to snag a site. Another option is to stay in nearby Cooke City . One of my favorite things to do in Yellowstone is to head to the Lamar Valley in the late afternoon , drive up and down watching wildlife until sunset, and then finish up the day by driving north-east out of the park to Cooke City (MT) and getting a delicious pizza at the Miner’s Saloon … SO GOOD!

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the most dramatic views in Yellowstone National Park. I remember the first time I saw it I was blown away. The powerful Lower Falls drop into a gigantic canyon, which is accented by steaming thermal features and colorful walls.

Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon can be viewed from many viewpoints, but the classic view is from Artist Point . Another of my favorite viewpoints is from Uncle Tom’s Point which requires you to walk down 328 stairs down (and subsequentially back up) and 500 feet of elevation to the overlook. The payout is a really close view of the impressive lower falls, and on a sunny day, you will probably even get a beautiful rainbow! This is one of the highlighted stops on one of my most recommended guided full-day West Yellowstone tours .

West Thumb Geyser Basin

West Thumb Geyser Basin is the first large geyser basin that visitors coming up from the south will encounter. Although in my opinion there are more impressive geyser basins in other areas of the park, West Thumb is unique in that it sits right next to the gigantic Yellowstone Lake which provides some pretty epic views. The two most beautiful and impressive features in West Thumb Geyser Basin are the Abyss Pool , Black Pool , Collapsing Pool , and Fishing Cone , so make sure to check these out!

Fun fact – Fishing Cone was named in the old days when visitors would catch a fish from the lake, then cook it while still on the hook over the geyser. This is now prohibited and actually has been found to be unhealthy, so please don’t try to replicate this haha.

Hiking trails in Yellowstone

Yellowstone, although a very beautiful national park, is not one that’s famous for its hiking trails. Due to the geothermal activity in the area and abundance of wildlife, trails are kept to a minimum in the park. In saying that, there are still some really great options for those wanting to get out and move their legs. Here are a few hiking trails I recommend:

Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn

Dunraven Pass to Mount Washburn is 6.5 miles (10.4km) roundtrip and has 1400 feet of elevation gain. One of the most famous in the park, this hike takes you to an old fire lookout at the summit of Mount Washburn. Keep an eye out for Bighorn Sheep that are known to frequent the area!

Bunsen Peak out-and-back

Bunsen Peak out-and-back is 4.6 miles (7.4km) roundtrip and has 1285 feet of elevation gain. This hike has great 360 degree views at the top including the Gallatin Range and Mammoth Hot Springs area.

Trout Lake is 1.2 miles (1.9km) and located near the north-east entrance. This hike is an short loop trail that takes you to a picturesque lake that has plentiful wildflowers surrounding it in the summer. Not surprisingly, this is also a great lake to fish for trout (make sure to have the right permit!).

Avalanche Peak

Avalanche Peak is 4.7 miles (7.5km) round-trip and has 2073 feet of elevation gain. It’s a fun, steep hike up to Avalanche peak which features epic views down to Yellowstone Lake and beyond.

Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls is 4.9 miles (7.8km) and has 216 feet of elevation gain. This is a classic Yellowstone hike that is mostly flat and a great one to get out and see the park by foot. Fairy Falls at the end is also a pretty great payoff for the exercise.

Yellowstone photography tips

Yellowstone National park is famous for its wildlife viewing and photography . Large game roam free throughout the valleys and mountains here, and you are guaranteed to come across something cool on your visit here. Not only that, but the vibrant springs and dramatic geysers also make for great photography subjects. Below you will find tips to help you capture images you will be proud of during your visit to Yellowstone!

My tops tips for Yellowstone photography

  • Bring a zoom lens . Something like a 100-400mm will be great for capturing wildlife while still staying at a safe distance. A 70-200mm lens can work for animals like bison and elk where you only need to keep a distance of 25 yards (25ish meters), but most likely won’t be enough for bears/wolves.
  • A teleconverter can help to give your current lens some extra range. I use a 1.4x teleconverter often when photographing wildlife and it definitely helps me capture some images I otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
  • Always have your camera set up and ready to go. Wildlife can appear at the most unexpected times, so having your camera ready to go will help you capture those fleeting moments instead of having you miss them while you fumble through your camera bag.
  • Explore Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley for the golden hours just after sunrise, and just before sunset. The light during these times is beautifully dramatic and golden, much better for photography than the harsh light in the middle of a sunny day.
  • Try using a wide aperture to create separation between the animal and the background. This will help create better photos in busy scenes and also has the benefit of helping to draw the viewers eye to the subject.
  • Pack a wide angle lens (like a 16-35mm ) so you can also capture images of the various hot springs and geysers.
  • Bring a circular polarizer (like this one ). These are fantastic at cutting annoying glare that you might get on the springs, helping you see deeper into them and assisting to bring out more of the natural colors. It also often helps bring some more definition to the eruptions from the geysers.

Getting around the park

Yellowstone is a big park (the largest of the national parks in the lower 48 states to be exact!) and it can be confusing to navigate. Below you will find all the insiders tips for getting around!

Get a Yellowstone pass

Firstly, to enter Yellowstone National Park you will need to purchase a 7 day Yellowstone pass which will cost $35 for a private vehicle, or an annual Yellowstone pass for $70. Alternatively, you can use the America The Beautiful pass which covers you for all National Parks (+ other places) for a year. These can be purchased for $80, and is the best option if you plan to visit a variety of national parks in a 12 month period. Read this blog post for tips on how to plan your trip .

Driving around the park

Yellowstone is an easy National Park to drive around from May-October . Depending on the season, most/all roads should be open during these months, and they are all well maintained. Parking lots can fill up and be pretty crazy during the busiest months of June-August , so I recommend getting to the most popular areas such as Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Winter travel

As I spoke about earlier, it is much more difficult to travel around Yellowstone in the winter once the snow settles in. All roads are closed to private vehicles, except the one up north between Gardiner (MT) and Cooke City (MT). To visit any other parts of the park during this time, you will need to take a tour on one of the snow cats , or have your own cross-snow travel vehicle.

Bison traffic jams

Something unique to Yellowstone is the “ bison jam “. Sometimes you may come across a herd of bison that just decided to cross the road when you arrived. Give them space, snap a few photos, but be sure to move on as soon as it is safe to go around them so you don’t hold up traffic . Please also make life easier on the rangers (and fellow visitors) by pulling completely off the road whenever you want to stop, and only doing so in purpose built pull-outs. Just because you see something cool doesn’t give you the right to block traffic, find a safe spot to pull off and walk back if necessary.

Be sure to check for and observe all road closure before your visit to Yellowstone National Park.

Take a tour

If you prefer a guide there are a lot of amazing tours available, this Yellowstone Tour with Local Guide is a great way to get the locals perspective as you explore the park. If you go in the snowy months this Snowmobile Tour avoids any road issues, as does the Private Snowcoach Tour . For anyone interested in wildlife spotting it can be really helpful to go with someone who knows the patterns of the animals habits, this Wildlife Watching Tour or the Winter Wolf and Wildlife Tour are great options for optimal wildlife spotting. For longer guides this Full Day Lower Loop Tour will cover all the bases in one day or take the Self Guided Audio Tour . Another great option to think about is the Old Faithful and Hot Springs Tour .

Yellowstone National Park itinerary

There are numerous itineraries you could take for exploring Yellowstone National Park. In my opinion three nights / four days is the perfect amount of time to explore the park, so that is the itinerary I have created for you below! This itinerary is perfect for spring through fall when the park roads and accommodations are open.

3 night / 4 day Yellowstone itinerary

Keep in mind that I chose West Yellowstone as a starting point because it is the most popular entrance to the park. In saying that, you can tailor the itinerary to suit wherever you are coming from.

Enter Yellowstone National Park via the west entrance station . You can get to West Yellowstone by driving or flying and I suggest arriving as early in the day as possible.

Your first stop will be Lower Geyser Basin where you will take the Fountain Paint Pot Trail . Spend about 30 minutes strolling past hot pools, mudpots, steaming fumaroles, and erupting geysers.

Next stop by Midway Geyser Basin to explore Grand Prismatic Spring. I suggest stopping at both the main boardwalk and also take the hike up the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail (via the Fairy Falls Parking Lot). I would allow at least one hour to explore both these areas, but you may want longer.

A quick stop to walk the Biscuit Basin Loop will be the next thing on your list. This short boardwalk trail will take approximately 15 minutes and you will see plenty of colorful hot springs and spurting geysers.

Your last stop of the day will be at Old Faithful Inn , where you will stay the night. Check into your accommodation, make a dinner reservation, and check the lobby for predicted geyser eruption times. Then spend the last remaining hours of the day viewing Old Faithful Geyser and walking as much of the Upper Geyser Basin Loop (3 miles) as possible. I highly recommend viewing Castle Geyser, Riverside Geyser, Grotto Geyser, and Morning Glory Pool.

Set your alarm early because today will be busy! If you didn’t get a chance to properly explore Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin, be sure to do that this morning. Then check out of the Inn and start driving east.

Your first stop will be West Thumb Geyser Basin . Take a short walk around the area (about 30 minutes) and be sure to stop by Abyss Pool, Black Pool, Collapsing Pool, and Fishing Cone.

Jump back in the car and start heading north to the Canyon area of the park. On the way you will see beautiful views of Yellowstone Lake and the Hayden Valley . Be sure to look out for wildlife!

Next up you will be exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone . I suggest viewing the canyon via Artist Point . If you are feeling adventurous then also take the short walk to Uncle Tom’s Point (keep in mind that it requires walking up/down 328 stairs).

The day isn’t over yet! Get back in the car and start driving northeast towards the Lamar Valley . On the way you should definitely look out for wildlife as we have spotted numerous bears between the Canyon and Tower Roosevelt areas.

You will want to arrive in the Lamar Valley at least a couple of hours before sunset. Take your time driving around valley as you take in the beautiful landscapes and wildlife . You are almost guaranteed to see bison and may very well also see moose, antelope, wolves, and bears.

After sunset make your way out of the northeast entrance and stay the night in Cooke City . I suggest having dinner at the Miner’s Saloon .

Wake up early so you can be driving back through the Lamar Valley at sunrise or just after. That will give you the highest chances for wildlife watching and enjoy the valley with beautiful golden light.

Once you are done exploring the Lamar Valley you can start heading west towards Mammoth Hot Springs. This is a great time to get a Yellowstone hike in. Some suggestions are Trout Lake (1.2 miles) or the Dunraven Pass – Mount Washburn Trail (6 miles).

Make your way over to Mammoth Hot Springs and spend the rest of your day exploring the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces . Walk as far or as little as you want and if you’re a history buff you can also check out nearby historic Fort Yellowstone . Stay the night in Mammoth Hot Springs or Gardiner.

Your first stop today will be Norris Geyser Basin . There are two sections to explore in this area, one being the Porcelain Basin (3/4 mile, 1.2km), and the other being the Back Basin (1.5 miles, 2.4km). I recommend checking both out as they are relatively short walks and both have some really unique features worth seeing. If you only have time for one, Porcelain Basin would be my pick.

Next up you will have some time to explore anything you missed on day 1 (e.g. Lower Geyser Basin or Grand Prismatic Spring) before driving back out to West Yellowstone.

You could also join an organised multi-day tour to take the planning out of your hands. These are great options with different meeting points.

  • 2-Day Guided Tour
  • From Jackson: Grand Teton and Yellowstone Winter 4-day Tour
  • From Salt Lake City: Grand Teton and Yellowstone 4-day Tour
  • 4-Day Tour with Lodging
  • From Bozeman: 4-day Winter Tour

Map of itinerary

How to stay safe

Yellowstone National Park hosts some of the most breathtaking, but also some of the most dangerous natural sights on the planet. As such, it is vital to follow the National Park Service’s rules when visiting the park.

Stay on trail

Firstly, never stray from the path . Yellowstone’s geothermal activity spreads all throughout the park, and falling through what looks to be safe ground into a boiling hot spring is not a nice way to go. Many people have died or become disfigured as a result of this, so for the safety of yourself and the protection of these areas, stick to the trail.

Keep your distance from wildlife

Secondly, give wildlife space . They are called WILDlife for a reason, and these animals are unpredictable. They may look cute, but if you get too close and they feel threatened, they may threaten your life in retaliation. The national park recommendations are to keep a distance of 100 yards (90m) from bears and wolves, and 25 yards (23m) from bison and other animals. If you get too close and an animal attacks, not only are you in trouble, but the animal is likely to be destroyed in response. Give them space.

Bear safety

It is important to note that Yellowstone is home to some large predators, including grizzly bears . You shouldn’t need to worry too much in busy geyser basin areas, but if you are planning on hiking less busy trails it is recommended you hike in groups of three or more, and carry bear spray with you at all times. Bears should not be feared, but you do need to take extra caution when hiking through a region like this with such a high population of them. Check our my bear safety blog post for more in-depth information.

What to bring

What you should pack for a trip to Yellowstone will depend on the time of year you visit and the activities you have planned. Below you will some general items that everyone should consider bringing on their trip.

It’s a good idea to bring a pair of binoculars to Yellowstone. These will allow you to see wildlife from a safe distance and zoom in on the interesting geothermal landscapes. Invest in a pair ( like these ) or rent them once you arrive at the park.

Reusable water bottle

There are free water bottle refill stations almost everywhere in Yellowstone, so be kind to the environment and bring a reusable water bottle on your trip. Some of my favorites include those by Hydroflask , Nalgene , and Stanley .

Walking shoes

Even if you don’t plan to hike, you will be wanting a pair of walking shoes when exploring Yellowstone. The boardwalks can sometimes get slippery and some trails may be muddy, so a waterproof and grippy pair of shoes will be ideal. I also have a blog post all about the best hiking shoes for men and women to help you choose what is best for your needs.

What you pack for layers and outerwear will heavily depend on what time of year you visit. During the summer months I would recommend a lightweight windbreaker or light down jacket . For the spring and fall I would suggest a warmer insulated jacket as the temperatures can get down to freezing. For winter I would recommend a heavy insulated parka .

Sun protection

Even winter can bring sunny (but cold) days in Yellowstone and sun protection should be a consideration year round. I would suggest packing sunglasses , a sun hat , and sunscreen .

You will definitely want to pack your phone or a camera to capture pictures in Yellowstone! Click here to read all about what’s in my camera bag .

Nearby places to explore

Yellowstone is located relatively close to many other incredible destinations. These are some of my top recommendations for nearby places to explore :

  • Grand Teton National Park ( read my in-depth park guide )
  • Jackson Hole, Wyoming
  • Glacier National Park
  • Yellowstone Hot Springs
  • Big Sky, Montana
  • Cody, Wyoming
  • Stanley, Idaho

PIN for later planning

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René muchas gracias por esta guía está maravillosa! Super facil y guiada, es la mejor guía de todo internet! Estaba estresada por estar leyendo y buscando en otros sitios, entoces me dije, pero yo sigo a René, ella debe de tener algo en su sitio web, y bingo! Lo tienes todo!

How do I save your my google maps so I can edit it to make it work for me?

I visited Yellowstone National Park when I was 6, I don’t remember much but I do remember it was beautiful and Old Faithful was amazing to me at the time. I hope to go back in the next couple of years so I can see it again and take more time to explore some of the sites you’re recommended and appreciate the wildlife more. Thanks for sharing.

I agree with Idalis above. I have researched and read and read and just got more and more overwhelmed. Your blog is wonderful. Just what I needed. Thank you.

Great guide. Road tripping this summer from PA. Thanks heaps Renee. Cheers, Erik

This is literally the best guide ever. I have seen so many and they all ended up confusing me more. Thank you!

I’m planning a trip for my sister’s family this June. They will be staying in Island Park, they will have 4 kids, 4 adults, and 2 seniors in their party. Im looking at your 4 day itinerary, can you provide me with which color is for each day and would this itinerary fit their family and place they are staying?

Awesome blog – very helpful – Thank you !

I was lucky enough to visit Yellowstone a few years back and it was one of my most memorable trips. Reading your blog and seeing your photos brought back so many wonderful memories. Thankyou Renee.

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The Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone National Park

02/26/2023 by Megan MacGregor Leave a Comment

This post was written by Megan MacGregor, BMTM’s national parks expert.

If you’re a fan of end-of-the-world movies or Woody Harrelson (not mutually exclusive), then you’ve probably seen the apocalypse film 2012 , and you know the scene where Harrelson is standing on the edge of a cliff in Yellowstone National Park when the supervolcano explodes. Spoiler alert: Woody doesn’t make it — but if we’re being honest, if this happened, it’s more likely that no one else in the immediate vicinity would either (looking at you, John Cusack).

travel blogs yellowstone national park

As a lover of Woody Harrelson, this scene immediately came to mind when I entered Yellowstone in the summer of 2018, though this was not how I pictured seeing my first supervolcano, whose last eruption — over 70,000 years ago — was a thousand times greater than that of Mt. St. Helens in 1980. 

Think of a stereotypical volcano from pop culture. Now imagine the opposite. Flat ground, right? Previous eruptions caused the ground here to collapse in on itself, sucking in trees and mountains, essentially creating a large depression in the ground, known as a caldera. Yellowstone National Park, encompassing 3,472 square miles across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, sits atop four overlapping calderas.

Known for its geothermal activity and wide array of animal species, Yellowstone is one of the top five most visited parks in the country, and was the first ever established in the United States. 

Table of Contents

Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park 

The great thing about Yellowstone is the wide variety of ways to experience everything the park offers. If you’re the more active type of traveler, you can hike into the park and avoid the crowds. Overnight camping is also an option if you want to go the backcountry route. If you prefer sticking to the touristy path, or you’re traveling with children or elders, you’ll find that you won’t even have to leave your car to get the full experience. 

Camping 

If you’d like to experience the fun of waking up inside America’s national park but don’t want to spend the big bucks, consider camping out. Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds and RV parks, with over 2,000 sites, ranging in price from $20 to $90/night.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River

travel blogs yellowstone national park

On my first stop, I scratched off the number one sightseeing location in the park: the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone River. Artist Point is a popular viewpoint that looks out over the 24-mile canyon, from which you can see the lower falls of the river. If you prefer a more up-close and personal experience, hike Uncle Tom’s Trail, a short but incredibly steep stair trail that will lead you to the base of lower falls.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States (and the third largest in the world). Located a short distance from the western entrance, the deep center of the spring is an ultramarine blue with surrounding rings of green, yellow, and orange, a colorful palette created by bacteria. Keep in mind that cloudier days will mute the colors, and steam may cover some of the spring if you visit during early morning, as was the case when I stopped by. I plan to go back just to experience this. That’s one of the great things about Yellowstone: there’s always something more to see next time. 

Old Faithful

travel blogs yellowstone national park

If there’s one landmark in Yellowstone you’ve probably heard about, it’s Old Faithful, located in the Upper Geyser Basin in the southwest portion of the park. The geyser, which sends water straight into the air 20 times a day for 90 seconds to five minutes, is a sight to behold.

While I enjoyed this experience and am glad I experienced it, Old Faithful is one of the more visited landmarks in the park and the dense number of tourists can be overwhelming. 

The interval between eruptions is 60-110 minutes. I planned my arrival, expecting it to erupt in 20 minutes but ended up waiting over an hour. If your time in the park is limited, consider saving this one for the end of your trip.

Yellowstone Lake

travel blogs yellowstone national park

I highly recommend driving by Yellowstone Lake if you have the time to add it into your schedule. Located on the park’s east side, it is the largest body of water in Yellowstone, with over a hundred miles of shoreline. It offers a variety of outdoor activities and hikes that offer exquisite views. While I didn’t partake in any specific excursions, there are options to go whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and boating on the lake. Compared to the rest of the park, the lake was pretty much deserted and offered a peaceful reprieve from the more touristy sights. 

Visit a ranger’s station

While stopping by Yellowstone Lake, I stumbled onto the Lake Ranger Station . I say “stumble,” because of all ten ranger stations located in the park , this one was nearly deserted, as it was under construction. Upon entering, an incredibly affable ranger hopped from his chair, eager to answer all my questions. Because this station wasn’t located near any of the popular tourist spots, I was the only visitor, and this gave me a unique opportunity to pick the ranger’s brain.

Everything I asked him pertained to the wolf population, one of the most difficult species to track. The ranger was kind enough to give me a map and circle the location of each wolf pack in the park. Other stations in the park offer maps, tours, and advice on the best places to visit, depending on what you’re looking for. 

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

On the last day of my trip, feeling deflated that I hadn’t seen any grizzlies or wolves, I decided to head to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center for some up-close and personal animal sightings. Located one block from the western exit of the park, the center, while small, offers a guided tour of the facility’s animal’s enclosures. The wolves weren’t out while I was visiting, but the bears were on full display — and only feet away from me. I wasn’t disappointed!

The non-for-profit accredited center is open 365 days a year, and admission costs $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, and $10 for children. It’s a great family activity, but even going alone was awesome. 

Lamar Valley and Yellowstone Wildlife

travel blogs yellowstone national park

I must admit, the main reason I wanted to visit Yellowstone had nothing to do with volcanoes — which is probably a good thing, since the flat ground makes it very easy to forget you’re standing miles above a reservoir of hot lava. No, I came for the animals. As someone who grew up next door to a safari zoo, I’ve always craved the experience of seeing animals in their natural habitat. And boy, I can officially say I got what I came for. 

No matter where you are in Yellowstone, you’re bound to come across some type of wildlife. Although you have to enter gates to get into the park, nothing stops the animals from leaving the area, which I discovered before I even entered, as I spotted a mother elk and her baby casually hanging out in the front yard of a neighborhood down the street.

travel blogs yellowstone national park

However, regardless of your plans, I highly recommend driving through Lamar Valley . Between the north and northeast entrance, this drive will utterly blow your mind. And I’m not exaggerating. There’s nothing quite like witnessing a wild bison stroll past your car window, so close you can see the puff of its breath in the air. For the best chances of seeing the most wildlife, plan this drive for the early morning or early evening hours. 

Yellowstone has the highest concentration of mammals in the United states. While elk and bison are guaranteed, keep an eye out also for pronghorn and coyotes. Moose, wolves, and black bears also roam the park but are more difficult and unlikely to be seen (and are the only ones I missed — although I missed a pack of wolves by only about two minutes!).

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park 

travel blogs yellowstone national park

If you’re searching for the type of trip where you never have to leave the park, then there are a variety of hotels that allow you to do just that, and the perks are pretty good. It can take hours to reach certain landmarks, and by staying in the park, you’ll not only be the first to arrive at your destination but increase your chances of seeing the wildlife that more commonly venture outside at dusk and dawn.

The benefits do come at a cost, though.  Old Faithful Inn offers rooms ranging from $199 up to $1,200 nightly, while Yellowstone Lake Lodge starts at $149 and increases to over $600. For more budget-friendly options inside the park, check out the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins , which start at $78 a night and go up to $130. But be warned: each of the cheaper options is more like glamping: you’ll get a room, but a shower is not included. Also be sure to check in advance — some of these sites are closed during the winter.

For my trip, I chose the trusted Airbnb route and stayed at what was probably the coolest hostel I’ve ever been to. The Range Rider Lodge offers bunk-style rooms, communal bathrooms, and thin walls, but for being just a mile outside the northeastern entrance you really can’t beat the $99/night price tag. Plus, it’s good company: on my first day, I met a photographer staying in the hostel who wanted to go back into the park that evening to search for wolves — and of course I couldn’t say no when invited along for the adventure. 

How to Get to Yellowstone National Park

travel blogs yellowstone national park

To start my adventure, I flew into Bozeman International Airport, located 90 miles from the north entrance of Yellowstone. This was the cheapest option, but it also allowed me to capitalize on the road-trip experience.

During my trip, I visited Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, including the quaint ski town of Jackson Hole, whose airport is the most frequented for visitors wanting to explore Yellowstone through the south entrance; it is also near Grand Tetons National Park . (I traveled to both parks during this trip, and if you don’t mind the scenic drive, it’s definitely worth it.) If convenience is more your thing, then check out Yellowstone Airport, only five minutes from the west entrance. 

This park would be impossible to see without renting a car , it’s that vast — and let’s be honest, even if you found an Uber driver, you will not want to ask them to stop every half a mile if you see something interesting (trust me, that will happen). Even if you have a list of every landmark you want to hit, you’re going to take detours, which is part of the beauty of this park.  

Weather in Yellowstone National Park

Maybe, I’m biased because of how incredible this trip was for me, but I believe that summer is the best time of year to experience Yellowstone. I went in mid-July, and the weather was perfect, though cold at night (I’m from Florida, though, so take “cold” with a grain of salt). The days reached mid-70s Fahrenheit (or 22°C), and evenings dipped into the low-40s (or 4°C). 

A friend of my dad’s is obsessed with visiting Yellowstone — and I mean that literally. He goes every single year for weeklong camping and hiking trips and insists that everyone must visit at least four times: once during each season. Although the park is open year round, personally, I can’t recommend visiting in the middle of winter — and not just because I need a heavy coat when there’s a mild breeze. Starting the first week of November, everything but the north entrance is closed, and only a limited stretch of road remains open, drastically reducing accessibility in the park. 

As a result, winter sees the least number of visitors, which is what allures those daring souls willing to withstand temperatures dropping into the negatives. If you’re one of them, then you’ll find you can access the other entrances by snowmobile, and enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing while wildlife watching. Some consider winter the best time of year to do just that, what with the smaller crowds and the snow making the animals easier to spot. 

Final Thoughts

travel blogs yellowstone national park

Regardless of how long your Yellowstone trip, I highly recommend planning your drive in advance and organizing your days based on which areas you want to see. When I stayed at the hostel, for example, I made that the same day I visited Lamar Valley, as they’re in the same section of the park. While road-tripping is part of the allure of the park, keep in mind that traffic jams — the animal kind — are common. Thirty miles can take three hours if a herd of bison decide to take an afternoon nap in the road.

And on that note, don’t be surprised if you experience some road rage. While in Lamar Valley, I witnessed a driver purposely gun their engine and drive at full speed toward a bison that was taking too long to cross. After reporting this to a park ranger, they sadly explained this is common behavior. Believe it or not, some locals who live outside of Yellowstone must travel through the park to get to work, and so their patience — and appreciation of the natural beauty — has unfortunately dwindled.

Even if you’re not planning on doing any overnight camping, I highly recommend investing in a day pack — Patagonia’s is reliable and well-made. A reusable water jug, ideally a stainless steel one, can last on all your adventures. A solid pair of hiking shoes will make the difference; I swear by Merrell’s over the ankle boot.

Keep in mind the average elevation of Yellowstone is 8,000 feet above sea level, so sunblock , ideally a sweatproof brand, is needed to keep you comfortable. Don’t be fooled though: even during the summer, the temperature will drop at night, and so a fleece jacket will come in handy.

If you really want to increase your chances of seeing wildlife, consider bringing along a pair of binoculars or a telescope . Bug spray and extra toilet paper can’t hurt either.

No matter your plans or the length of your adventure, one thing is for certain: there will be enough wildlife to see, hikes to take, and landmarks to visit. So you shouldn’t be surprised if you forget that beneath your feet is one of the most powerful volcanoes in the world. 

About the author: Megan MacGregor is a freelance writer, published author, and avid traveler. She has a degree in fine arts from the New College of Florida and spends her free time painting, riding horses, and planning her next adventure. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her four-legged friends.

About Megan MacGregor

Megan MacGregor is Florida-based freelance writer with a heart that beats for travel and adventure. Her travel journey began in childhood, thanks to her parents, avid travelers who introduced her to the wonders of South American culture at a young age. Megan hopes to cross off all 63 National Parks in America and is well on her way there. When she's not traversing the globe, Megan writes fiction, pet sits, and rides horses.

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Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide & Itineraries

Yellowstone National Park Travel Guide & Itineraries

Yellowstone National Park: America’s first National Park. It’s on so many people’s bucket list and really lives up to the hype. We’ve been many times, both with and without kids, and know the park like the back of our hand. This is our complete Yellowstone National Park travel guide to one of our favorite destinations.

Once you’ve conquered the road trip of driving to Wyoming from wherever you actually start, you’ll have more planning…and more driving to do. To minimize the driving and maximize fun in the park we’ve created a Yellowstone National Park family travel guide.

Complete guide to Yellowstone National Park with kids. Travel plans, itineraries, geysers, wildlife and more. Photography tips and being prepared for all weather in Yellowstone, this guide is perfect for family travel.

Yellowstone Itineraries

We’ve got several different ways to approach Yellowstone, whether you’re interested in mostly geysers and geology or if you want to see wildlife and relax out in nature. Here are two 2-day itineraries to help you have the best experience in the park, and if you combine them you’ll have an awesome four day trip: Best of the Best of Yellowstone & Best Hot Springs and Wildlife .

We talk through our complete Yellowstone National Park itinerary:  four days to conquer the park, part 1!  In this episode we cover the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Norris Geysers, Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake. Each itinerary route is its own day in the park and covers the best sights and tips for enjoying driving through Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone National Park Podcast

Do you ever have so much to share that writing doesn’t even begin to capture it all? That’s how we feel about Yellowstone National Park. We recorded five podcast episodes about Yellowstone covering everything from planning your trip, visiting each of the many geothermal areas, as well actual itineraries for spending four days here. This episode is all of the need to know information about visiting Yellowstone National Park.

Podcast episode covering the best need-to-know Yellowstone National Park tips. From where to camp to where to stay outside of the park, favorite sights and things to watch for, the basics of having an awesome trip, and some of our favorite stories through the years. #Yellowstone #NationalPark #Wyoming

Road Trips to Yellowstone National Park

And you have to consider how you’re getting to Yellowstone National Park, so we have built out several road trip plans and getaways to make it happen. Starting up in mining country and going through Old West towns or exploring the wilderness between Billings, Bozeman and Yellowstone , or even just taking a trip to Big Sky and doing day trips into the park…

Montana is a gorgeous state with some of the coolest towns, both modern and old west. From Billings to Big Sky, we dig into the best sights and activities in Southwest Montana. Road trip itinerary to take you through the West and even Yellowstone! #roadtrip #Montana #yellowstone

Guide to Yellowstone Wildlife

Being immersed in bison, really? Is bear hunting legal? When ground squirrels attack… Yellowstone National Park is as much about wildlife as it is about geysers, and for kids sometimes wildlife is really the attraction. The best wildlife viewing in Yellowstone happens all over the place and at different times of day.

This is a guide to the best wildlife viewing in Yellowstone National Park. Best spots to see bears, moose, bison and more. Tips for viewing and photographing in Yellowstone.

Geysers and all Things Geothermal

This everything you need to know about visiting geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone National Park. From the science of geysers to photography tips, everything you need to know for exploring the geothermal areas. This is not a basin by basin guide, but information for having the best visits with kids. Who doesn’t want to be able to teach their kids how the earth works AND get awesome photos?!

Best geyser recommendations in Yellowstone National Park. Must-see hot springs and geysers that most people miss when they visit Yellowstone. #Wyoming #NationalPark #Yellowstone #hiking

Best Picnicking in Yellowstone

One of our favorite activities in any National Park is picnicking. Why picnic? Where should we eat in the park? Should we expect Yogi Bear sightings?  Our family is big into picnicking anywhere, but a place like Yellowstone really lends itself to the outdoor dining experience.  

The best picnic spots in Yellowstone are around every corner and need to be a part of your Yellowstone travel plans. Picnics and lunch spots should be a part of every travel guide, especially in Yellowstone.

The best picnic spots in Yellowstone Natioanl Park are around every corner. This is our guide to the best spots for relaxing and enjoying meals in the open air of Yellowstone.

Being Prepared for all Weather in Yellowstone

It’s summer, but there’s snow? We’ve done it enough and made enough mistakes to be able to confidently give our advice on ensuring a fun, warm experience in Yellowstone National Park… even when summer feels like winter.   Being prepared for all weather in Yellowstone National Park means packing appropriately and having extras of everything.

Don’t let us scare you though, because you might be completely lucky with your weather!

Packing for Yellowstone National Park in any season can be tough. Even in summer you might face snow or torrential rain. This is a guide to packing and planning for any weather in Yellowstone National Park.

Here’s a quick recap of our Yellowstone trip so you can see what’s in store:

With our family travel guide our goal is to be helpful in maximizing time NOT in the car and suggesting what are truly the best sights in the park. Check out our similar advice regarding the following US National Parks :

Glacier National Park Mt Rainier National Park Olympic National Park Yosemite National Park

Please leave comments below or email us with more questions or suggestions about visiting Yellowstone National Park. Feel free to comment on each individual post as well.

Complete guide to Yellowstone National Park with kids. Travel plans, itineraries, geysers, wildlife and more. Photography tips and being prepared for all weather in Yellowstone, this guide is perfect for family travel.

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Yellowstone Travel Guide

Yellowstone Travel Guide

Yellowstone is America’s oldest and most diverse National Park. But what to expect when visiting Yellowstone National Park and how to plan your Yellowstone trip ? This guide should answer all your questions!

Located in the state of Wyoming, at the border of Idaho and Montana and far from any major cities, Yellowstone National Park is truly off the beaten path. It’s a place you have to make an effort to visit.

Planning a trip to Yellowstone might look overwhelming at first, also because the park is so big and there is so much to see. But don’t despair – with some advance preparation, it’s really easy to visit Yellowstone and its major landmarks.

In this guide, you can find some practical tips and information for planning your Yellowstone trip . We also link to lots of detailed guides that contain more information about a variety of places and itineraries for visiting Yellowstone. Find out!

Old Faithful Geyser

This page contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. More info:  Disclosure .

Why Visit Yellowstone & What to See

Yellowstone National Park is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, hot springs, colorful geothermal features, and the world’s largest collection of geysers including the famous Old Faithful. Come here for beautiful nature and unique scenery that you won’t find anywhere else.

Here you can find an overview of the best places to see and best things to do in Yellowstone National Park :

  • Best Things to Do in Yellowstone
  • Best Things to Do in Yellowstone with Kids
  • Yellowstone Lower Loop: Best Places to Visit

Here you can find more in-depth guides for some of the main Yellowstone landmarks and our favorite spots:

  • Old Faithful Geyser
  • Grand Prismatic Spring
  • Upper Geyser Basin
  • Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
  • Mammoth Hot Springs
  • Boiling River

If you are planning a longer trip and want to go hiking in Yellowstone, you may want to get this guidebook with the best easy hikes in Yellowstone.

How to Get to Yellowstone: Airports & Car Rental

Depending on where you’re traveling from, you can either drive or fly to Yellowstone.

There are no major airports in the close vicinity of Yellowstone. The closest big airports are in Salt Lake City, UT (SCL), about 6 hours drive, and Billings, MT (BIL), about 3 hours drive from Yellowstone.

The best airports to fly into for visiting Yellowstone are smaller regional airports about 1-2 hours drive from Yellowstone NP: Bozeman, MT (BZN), Jackson, WY (JAC), and Cody, WY (COD).

Good to know: The best way to visit Yellowstone on your own is by car. So if you are flying, you’ll have to rent a car for exploring Yellowstone and the surroundings. Here you can find some of the best deals for car hire for any location in the United States . We always use this site for our car rentals, also in the U.S. Check it out!

How to Plan a Trip to Yellowstone

There are several important things to consider when planning your Yellowstone trip: when to visit, for how long, how to get there and how to get around, where to stay, and what you want to see and do.

Further below, you can find more details about each of these points. For Yellowstone itinerary suggestions , please check our detailed guides below:

  • Yellowstone Itinerary (Suggestions for 1 to 5 Days)
  • One Day in Yellowstone (1 day Lower Loop itinerary and map)
  • Two Days in Yellowstone (Detailed 2 days itinerary and map)
  • Grand Teton and Yellowstone (Itinerary suggestions for 2 to 5 Days)

Important!!!   Please always  check the official website for up-to-date information on any road closures or planned works when planning your trip to Yellowstone!

What to Know Before You Book a Trip

If you really want to make the most of your trip to Yellowstone, it’s essential to do some advance planning and preparation.

To help you have a better experience, we compiled some of our top tips in one place. Check it out!

  • Tips for Visiting Yellowstone

When to Visit Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park has very distinctive seasons with extremely cold winters and warm summers. Most people visit Yellowstone in summer, but each time of the year is unique and there are also some advantages and disadvantages of each season.

For more information and what to expect in different seasons, please check our detailed guides below:

  • Best Time to Visit Yellowstone
  • Yellowstone in Summer (July and August)

Where to Stay

Yellowstone accommodation is scarce, expensive, and usually fully booked months in advance. If you are traveling in summer, you have to book your Yellowstone hotel over a year upfront.

That being said, there are also some alternatives, small towns just outside of Yellowstone, where you’ll find more availability and a better price/ quality ratio.

If Yellowstone accommodation inside the park is fully booked or is above your budget (or if you need to be able to use Wi-Fi during your trip), check accommodations in West Yellowstone or Gardiner .

For more information, please check our Yellowstone accommodation guides :

  • Where to Stay In and Near Yellowstone
  • Best Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park

TIP: Using the map below, you can compare hotels and short-term rental accommodations in West Yellowstone . It’s quite centrally located and is one of the best places to stay outside the park. Just don’t forget to insert your travel dates and group size so that you immediately see the best deals for your trip. Check it out!

Where to Eat

This is one of the questions we had before our trip and one we often get from our readers. Are there restaurants in Yellowstone and whether they all require advance reservations?

Yes, there are lots of restaurants and food stores at all the main lodges of Yellowstone. There are restaurants at Canyon Village, Grand Village, Lake Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and Roosevelt Lodge. There are food stores in all these areas as well.

Most cafes and restaurants in Yellowstone don’t require reservations. If you want to have dinner at the more upscale restaurants at the Old Faithful Inn or at the Lake hotel, it’s best to reserve in advance.

Here you can find a complete overview of all the dining facilities in Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Tours

If you rather visit Yellowstone with a tour, it’s best to stay in Jackson Hole, WY , or in Teton Village, WY , and join an organized tour from there.

Here is an overview of the best-rated Yellowstone tours :

  • 2 days tour
  • 4 days tour
  • Winter tours
  • Yellowstone & Grand Tetons 4 days tour from Salt Lake City

For more information, please check our guide featuring the best Yellowstone tours :

  • Yellowstone tours (our hand-picked selection)

TIP: We recommend booking Yellowstone tours via the GetYourGuide website because it has the best customer service and the most flexible cancellation policy on the market. This is the website we personally use for almost all tour bookings worldwide.

The popular booking site Viator also has a big selection of Yellowstone tours, including a day tour from West Yellowstone , private tours , and rafting adventures . Most tours on Viator also have a very flexible cancelation policy.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Jackson Hole & Grand Teton 1-Day Itinerary

Yellowstone Entrance Fee

You’ll need a pass in order to enter Yellowstone National Park. You can get this pass at any entrance gate of the park. It costs 35 USD per private vehicle or 20 USD per person if you are visiting on foot or by bike. This pass is valid for 7 consecutive days and you can enter and leave the park as many times as you want during that time.

Yellowstone also has an annual pass that costs 70 USD.

However, if you are visiting several National Parks in one trip or even separately, it’s better to get an annual National Parks Pass . It’s called America the Beautiful Pass and costs just 80 USD for the whole family traveling in the same vehicle. It is valid in all National Parks and 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States for one year from the month of purchase.

Connectivity

Cell service is very limited to nonexistent in Yellowstone. So make sure to download/ print any information you may need during your trip for offline use.

TIP: If you stay in the hotels outside of the park, you can at least use Wi-Fi in the mornings and in the evenings. So consider this when choosing your accommodation. More info below!

Accessibility

If you are visiting Yellowstone with a wheelchair (or a stroller) , you’ll be glad to know that most of the main landmarks are quite easily accessible.

For example, there are boardwalks at the Old Faithful and the entire Upper Geyser Basin has many flat walkways that allow you to explore the geysers. There are also boardwalks at the Grand Prismatic Spring and at most other geothermal areas.

For a complete overview of what is or isn’t accessible with a wheelchair, please refer to the official website , where you can find detailed and up-to-date information per area.

The Weather

Yellowstone’s high altitude means that it is much cooler here than you’d expect. Also in summer, you can experience freezing cold temperatures at higher altitudes during the day and throughout the park at night. But you can also have amazing summer days with temperatures in the high 70s or even 80s (25-30°C).

Make sure to check the weather forecast before you leave and pack accordingly. It’s important to stay flexible, so pack layers. Further below, you can find more information about what to pack.

What to Pack

Yellowstone is an outdoor destination, so make sure that you pack comfortable clothing suitable for the time of the year when you travel. The dress code in Yellowstone accommodations and restaurants is pretty relaxed and casual as well. More information:

  • Yellowstone Packing List for Summer

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travel blogs yellowstone national park

Yellowstone FAQ

While some US national parks require advance reservations and timed tickets during the summer season, at the moment, there is no reservation required in order to enter Yellowstone National Park. However, expect it to be very busy in Yellowstone in summer, and be sure to reserve your accommodation or campground well in advance. My best tip is to start your days very early and visit the most popular places first thing in the morning.

Ideally, you need at least 3 or 4 days if you want to see all the best places in Yellowstone National Park. However, you can see the main highlights in 1 or 2 days as well. With just one day in Yellowstone, you can visit the main attractions along the Lower Loop. With two days, you can drive the entire Grand Loop and (shortly) see all the main landmarks. Staying for 3 -4 days will allow you to see all the best areas of Yellowstone and take some time to explore a bit off the beaten path.

Yellowstone National Park is very vast, distances are big, and there is no public transport, so you really need a car in order to explore Yellowstone. If you don’t want to drive, you can also visit Yellowstone with organized tours.

Yellowstone National Park is easy to visit on your own and you don’t need a tour guide. All the main attractions are located along the main road – Grand Loop – and are easy to access. Furthermore, there is lots of information available at the Visitor Centers that can be found in all main areas of the park and you’ll also find many informational panels at all the natural landmarks.

The best way to explore Yellowstone National Park is by driving its figure-eight road system where all the main natural attractions and landmarks are located. The main areas of Yellowstone have accessible paths and boardwalks allowing you to easily see all the best places. If you are fit and want to see more of Yellowstone, be sure to visit some lesser-known places and go hiking. This is also the best way to avoid the crowds.

The best airports for visiting Yellowstone are small regional airports of Bozeman, MT (BZN), Jackson, WY (JAC), or Cody, WY (COD). They are located about 1-2 hours drive from the park. The closest big airports are in Salt Lake City, UT (SCL), about 6 hours drive, and Billings, MT (BIL), about 3 hours drive from Yellowstone.

While most roads in Yellowstone are closed in winter, the northern side of the park remains open the whole year. In addition, you can visit some other parts of Yellowstone during the so-called ‘winter recreation season’ between mid-December and the end of February. However, even in this season, most parts of Yellowstone can only be accessed with over-snow vehicles, so you need to book a tour with a snowmobile or a snowcoach.

If you found this Yellowstone trip planner useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

Yellowstone travel guide

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Yellowstone travel blog — My trip to Yellowstone, the first national park in the world

yellowstone

Known to be not only the first national forest in the world, Yellowstone is also cloaked so many mysteries. In order to finish our one-month journey in the USA, we decided to spend the last few days exploring the hot spot. Let discover the hidden and beauty the national park through this Yellowstone travel blog (My trip to Yellowstone) with Living Nomads below.

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Yellowstone National Park's sign in East Entrance

The road to old faithful underwater

Visit Yellowstone - the first national forest in the world1

Our plane landed at the tiny Bozeman airport (compared to other US airports) at midnight. The airport is such a warm wooden house displaying ominous giant trunks, huge wooden stairs, and countless stuffed animals. Our excitement did not last long when the car rental worker informed us that a storm was about to take place in the Yellowstone area and it would last 4-5 days. At that time it was also raining outside, accompanied by very cold winds, and we were advised to buy car-pulling insurance for towing our vehicle from the forest to the city in case of accidents in the weald.

Visit Yellowstone - the first national forest in the world2

One way or another, the trip started. We comprised of 8 adults and 3 children. We stayed at a small hotel adjacent to the airport on the first night. The next morning, we went to the supermarket to buy necessary items for the upcoming-forest-edge-house and made our way. For a couple of driving hours, the first spectacular thing popping up was the lush grasslands of Montana, then the withered pine forests after the storm, and ground snow near and far resulting from last night’s snow rain. Then we also reached our lodging just 15 minutes drive from Yellowstone’s west gate. It will be extremely difficult to traverse the park if you can not drive, which means that you will have to opt for the pre-set tour and fail to explore places you want to go with fixed itineraries.

yellowstone

We arrived in mid-June, but the weather is only about 10 degrees Celsius, just like winter in Hanoi, Vietnam. Moreover, it was the temperature in the forest so we understood that we will not be able to explore the site thoroughly in our short visit. First thing first, like all other visitors, we headed straight to Yellowstone’s most famous underground well, Old Faithful with great eagerness. However, we have not been able to move consistently as expected but “got distracted” quite a lot. Because along the way there, with all our insatiable curiosity as we set foot in the large park with the wide-open eyes, we pulled over a total of about seven times.

traveling-experience-for-a-trip-to-yellowstone-usa

The first was because the two distant deer gazing in the reeds. Through our very naked eyes, we could only see the huge pairs of antlers. The second time was a truly miraculous moment when the other bank there was a herd of 20 enormous bisons. Not only small children, adults also have to force ourselves to shut our mouths up or else the incredible tranquil scenery was destroyed in no time. The list went on with a few bushes or a flock of pelicans flying at the horizon, we pulled in on the side of the road, pointed, admired them, commented, then continued our journey.

Visit Yellowstone - the first national forest in the world5

Discovery of Yellowstone terrain

Visit Yellowstone - the first national forest in the world7

It is impossible to tell the exact number of hot springs on our way through, but we were so amazed by the most famous one – Old Faithful. Anyone who enters the park has to wait for the magic moment when the underground water is sprayed up, reaching the height of more than 100m at times. We and about a hundred others waited for almost an hour and then water began to spray. All fished out their phones and cameras to try to capture the precious moment. The kids also looked at the scintillating high-powered water columns spreading fragrant sulfur.

Visit Yellowstone - the first national forest in the world10

In fact, half of the world’s hot springs are located in the area of Yellowstone. With the colossal amount of continuously flowing sandstone, this place is still considered a zone of the active volcanos, meaning that there is a certain degree of danger when visiting this recreation area. However, ignoring all the good-for-nothing worries, we strolled hot springs here and there over a surface area of more than 10km, each spring has different colors and myriad shapes. At the end of the road was Morning Glory, displaying hundreds of brilliant colors which attracted the attention of everyone to look deep down inside. And in the rain and cold wind, we, especially the children (6 to 8 years old) walked the whole distance of nearly 20km and enjoyed the stunning things this place offered.

Visit Yellowstone - the first national forest in the world11

If Old Faithful is right in the middle of the park, a place that is easily accessible from all directions, the Mammoth Hot Springs is on the north side of the park to which we have to drive for nearly three hours. This journey was really an unforgettable experience for the whole team. The terrain here is different from the West and the South where we have been to the preceeding days. After the prairie and vast marshes were steep and barren dry rocky mountains, and a great canyon. A large area had been heavily affected by the storm last week. It was also the last storm of the season carrying snow and heavy rain as part of a heavily damaged road.

Visit Yellowstone - the first national forest in the world14

The convoy had to stop to give way to bulldozers and trucks carrying countless fallen pine trees stemed from the fierce force majure. At the same time, it kept raining all day, even until we came back. When it was just slight drizzling and wind blew rolls of clouds to expose the mighty sun, the space suddenly brightens to compensate the visitants after gloomy day. The Mammoth Hot Springs are a series of streams running underground in the mountains and spurting up with a myriad of minerals destroying everything on the surface. Over the millennia, there are areas in the Mammoth Hot Springs System that have become so desolate that only the rocks are covered with white foam and large dead pine trees . However, due to the continuous operation of underground streams, the Mammoth Hot Springs have never ceased to amaze visitors with breathtaking views from the white and orange stone terraces. Despite the difficult driving time, we did not regret coming there to witness the wonders that nature has been invariably created for thousands of years.

Visit Yellowstone - the first national forest in the world28

Admire pristine beauty of Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from the North Rim

The park is large, so driving from one point to another one may take several hours. We spent the last day of our trip staying inside the Grand Canyon forest (absolutely different from the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona). The great canyon with a width of more than 1,000m and 300m depth is almost completely split the eastern and northern banks of the park. The great waterfall is made up from many underground aquifers creating the extraordinary landscape, unlike the cascades from other freshwater streams we had known before. Long spills along the area are the openings of hot springs.

Trail work begins along Grand Canyon of the yellowstone

Over the course of thousands of years, these streams of liquid have changed the chemical components of rocks, turning them into yellow, red, white, and pink. We could not climb down the breathtaking Uncle Tom’s trail to get close to the falls because of the small children’s presence. As a result, we decided to go down the path south of the Grand Canyon, down the 30 degree angle with more than 20 turns for a distance of about 2km to the Artist Point. At there, we can observe the paranoma of the majestic Grand Canyon and colors of rock offered by mother nature.

travel blogs yellowstone national park

Located on an area of nearly 9,000 square miles in three states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho in Central America, Yellowstone has been dubbed “the must-visit place before you die.” America is known for its numerous national parks with majestic natural beauty, but only Yellowstone preserves wilderness up to over 90% of its incredible size.

Therefore, when the feeling of being overwhelmed by a vast space passes, we found ourself really immersed in the hands of mother nature, felt the charming changes in each moment of the day on every path we left our footprints. The best thing was that we could teach the children how to love and cherish the wonderful things that nature displays, as well as to understand how tiny human beings are in comparison with the vast universe. Do not ruin nature, even if it’s seemingly small like throwing a bunch of rubbish by the road.

grand-canyon-experience-for-the-trip-to-yellowstone

  • Best time to visit Yellowstone: The peak season in Yellowstone is July and August. However, the best time to visit this venue is from June to June (early summer) or October to November (late autumn).
  • How to get to Yellowstone: There are many ways to get to Yellowstone and the most common one is by air. There are daily flights from all directions to Bozeman Airport (Montana), followed by a two-hour drive to the park’s western terminal. Alternatively, take the train / plane to Salt Lake City (Utah) and then take a long bus or drive (about 500km) to the south gate of the park. It is also possible to fly to Jackson Airport (Wyoming State) and from there drive to the south gate of Yellowstone.
  • Many people choose to rent an RV (a car attached to a fully-equipped small room with a bed, a kitchen and a toilet) to save rent. If you travel in large groups, you can choose to rent the whole house on popular rental sites such as Expedia, VRBO, Orbitz, Booking.
  • Sleeping in the forest is not prohibited, but first you need to be well equipped to deal with any situation that may occur. For example: black bears, wild bisons, etc.

yellowstone-forest-4 Picture: my trip to yellowstone blog.

Are you looking for more top things to do in Yellowstone National Park: Tours, activities, attractions and other things?  Let’s check it out at here .

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Bearfoot Theory

The Ultimate 7-day Teton & Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary

Follow this detailed 7-day Teton and Yellowstone road trip itinerary to travel to the best sites, hikes, and attractions in these two incredible national parks.

Follow this detailed 7-day Teton and Yellowstone road trip itinerary to travel to the best sites, hikes, and attractions in these two incredible national parks.

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Ever since reading about Bryce Thatcher’s 1983 record for climbing & descending the 13,770 foot Grand Teton I’ve had a passion to visit the region. With Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park being just 31 miles apart, the two parks make for an incredible weeklong road trip. By following this 7-day Teton and Yellowstone road trip itinerary, you’ll hit up a large number of the best sites in the parks in just 7 days without spending too much time in the car.

In this post, you’ll discover the the best of these National Parks, with suggestions for hikes, things to do, places to stay, where to eat and more. If you follow this itinerary, planning a trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons is going to be a cinch.

Here’s the ultimate road trip itinerary for a week well-spent in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks!

How to get to yellowstone & grand teton national parks.

There are a couple of options for starting your Yellowstone road trip, depending on where you are coming from.

If you’re flying, you can fly into Salt Lake City and enjoy a 5-hour drive to Grand Teton National Park. Or you can fly into the much more expensive, yet scenic Jackson Hole airport.

If you chose the budget-friendly version, there are two routes from SLC to Grand Teton National Park which make for a great loop. On your way up to Teton National Park, take I-15 North through Swan Valley and Victor, ID. This route provides a glimpse of the backside of Grand Teton, building anticipation for what’s ahead.

Then for your return home, take US-89 S/I-80 W which follows the Snake River and makes for a nice change of scenery on the way back to Salt Lake.

Be aware that many of the roads close in both parks during the winter season (typically November through early May), including the southern entrance of Yellowstone.

For seasonal road closure information, see these pages on the official National Park Service Grand Teton and Yellowstone websites.

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Grand Teton National Park

This road trip itinerary starts with two days in Grand Teton National Park before venturing into the completely different, otherworldly scenery of Yellowstone National Park. Read on for tips on what to do and see each day of your trip to maximize your time in this area.

Grand Teton National Park Map // Follow this detailed 7-day Teton and Yellowstone road trip itinerary to travel to the best sites, hikes, and attractions.

Day 1: Hike Death Toll Canyon and Explore Jenny Lake

Get an early start and begin your day at the Grand Teton Visitor Center near the South Entrance. The park video gives you a great intro to the park. Then, after the video make sure to stay seated as they open the blinds to reveal a floor-to-ceiling window that showcases the Grand Teton.

Next, head over to explore the southeast corner of the park on foot. Start at the Death Canyon Trailhead  and hike just over a mile to a gorgeous overlook that peers down 700 feet into Phelps Lake. This section of the trail is easy, gaining just about 200 feet. After taking in the views, continue from the overlook down the switchbacks that drop you into the entrance of Death Canyon—it’s neat to see the large canyon walls loom above you! From here you can stay and hang out at the lake or venture further down into the canyon. Bears frequent the lake, so be on the lookout and bring bear spray! Check out this blog post for some notes on bear safety .

Post-hike head on over to camp at Jenny Lake for the evening. If the campground is full or you’d prefer not to camp, here is a list of alternative lodging in Grand Teton National Park. There is also camping available outside of the park. Check out this blog post for tips on finding free campsites .

NOTE: Campsites in Grand Teton National Park are now reservation only and sites will no longer be available on a first-come first-served basis. Reservations fill up quickly so plan your trip far in advance if possible.

Jenny Lake In Grand Teton National Park

Day 2: Hike to Inspiration Point and Lake Solitude

Get on one of the first boats across Jenny Lake to the trailheads on the other side of the lake. You’ll find short and simple trails leading you to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point .

Escape the crowds by continuing on past Inspiration Point to  Lake Solitude . From the boat landing, Lake Solitude is around 14 miles round trip with 2,400 feet of elevation gain. It makes for a longer day, but traveling below the jagged peaks of Cascade Canyon provides very different scenery from the prior day in Death Canyon. The trail meanders through lush forests, along a flowing river, and past several waterfalls. For more information on this trail, see this trail guide .

Another option is to walk around the lake, which will lengthen your trip by about 4 miles. So, the total hike would be around 17-18 miles.

One more thing to keep in mind is that moose frequent this area, so you might get to see one (or more). If you encounter wildlife , give them space and observe from a distance.

Hidden Falls // 7 Day Road Trip Itinerary through Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park.

When you return from your hike, reward yourself with huckleberry margaritas and nachos at the Signal Mountain Lodge —it’s a local favorite among the park staff and a delightful post-hike treat!

Afterward, drive up the Signal Mountain Road for an impressive aerial view.

For a change of campsite scenery, relocate your tent on night 2 to the Colter Bay Campground. This way, you’ll wake up on day 3 a little closer to Yellowstone.

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is very large. That’s why I’m devoting 5 out of this 7-day itinerary to Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Map // Follow this detailed 7-day Teton and Yellowstone road trip itinerary to travel to the best sites, hikes, and attractions in these two incredible national parks.

Day 3: Old Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin, and Grand Prismatic Spring

Yellowstone or bust! Be prepared to see a whole new world in a very short distance on your Yellowstone trip. My friend referred to Yellowstone as “extraterrestrial” or “something from another planet.” And, it’s true, it really has that feel.

On your way into the park, swing by the Grant Village Visitors Center to see the video about the famous 1988 Yellowstone fire that burned a third of Yellowstone— it helps visitors understand the devastation Yellowstone has faced, and why it has a rough appearance in certain areas.

One of the best parts of Yellowstone is that the main road is a loop, so you basically just keep working around the circle. On your first day, I recommend heading clockwise to Old Faithful and getting this tourist-packed attraction checked off the list. The geyser erupts every 90 minutes; there are signs everywhere in the area informing you of the next eruption. The viewing area is big, but it does get super crowded. So, I suggest arriving about 15 minutes before the eruption to secure a good viewing spot.

The visitor center is equally impressive and very informative. Don’t miss the Old Faithful Inn tour, SERIOUSLY. You might think, “I came to a national park to explore the great outdoors, not a building…” but just wait until you walk into the lobby of the Old Faithful Inn. The tour is free and provides so much history about not only the hotel but the park itself and its first visitors. Then, once you’ve seen Old Faithful erupt, follow the boardwalk around to explore the Upper Geyser Basin , which has the largest concentration of colorful hot pools in the world .

Upper Geyser Basin // A must see on your Yellowstone National Park road trip

After you’re done in the Old Faithful Area, hop back in the car and drive 5 miles up the road to the Midway Geyser Basin – home to the Park’s most colorful geyser – Grand Prismatic Spring . There are two ways to explore Grand Prismatic. The first is a short hike on the boardwalk that puts you right at the base of the springs. The other option is to park at the Fairy Falls parking lot and take the 1.2 mile round trip trail to the Grand Prismatic overlook where you’ll get a birds-eye view.

Grand Prismatic Spring / A must see on your Yellowstone vacation

As the sun sets, head on over to the small town of West Yellowstone for a night at a local motel. This town also has a great little family-owned grocery store so you can restock on food (you will get bored with the park food really quickly—it is the same between both parks and at all stores in the parks).

Camping in Yellowstone is also a convenient option on your road trip as it minimizes the amount of driving you’ll have to do, but it requires advanced planning. Check out our guide to the campgrounds in Yellowstone with tips for getting a reservation .

Day 4: Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley

Today on your Yellowstone vacation, you’ll head north towards Mammoth. Make a quick stop at the Park Ranger Museum to learn the history of the National Park Service. Then, if you aren’t totally “geysered-out”, stop at the Norris Geyser Basin for a short walk to stretch the legs and get your morning dose.

If you think you’ve seen it all after driving by the various geyser turn-offs… just wait.  Mammoth Hot Springs is the definition of unique in Yellowstone and it’s very different from everything you’ve seen so far. The water that pours over the hot springs has been in the ground for over 1,000 years and is responsible for all of the formations in the area as it cascades down. Take a peek into the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and check out the map room—it features a map of the United States made from several different kinds of wood. The Mammoth Hot Springs Visitor Center is also worth stopping in.

Mammoth Hot Springs / When planning a trip to Yellowstone, be sure to stop here

Next, head to the Tower-Roosevelt area and take a drive through Lamar Valley . It’s a beautiful area and home to the largest concentration of bison in Yellowstone.

Lamar Valley / Home to the largest concentration of bison in Yellowstone National Park

From here, continue on driving through Yellowstone’s Canyon . It’s a busy area of the park, but this drive is unbelievably beautiful, especially during wildflower season. Take your time and enjoy the scenery, especially the areas on this side of the park that were not hit by the 1988 fire. The power of the Yellowstone River and the upper and lower falls which carve the canyon is astounding.

Camp at Canyon Village for the night.

Day 5: Artist Point and Lake Yellowstone

Kick off the fifth day of your trip by visiting Artist Point . It’s a beautiful lookout on the edge of a cliff that showcases a cascading waterfall in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The lower falls are 308 feet and are super photogenic. So, bring your camera and make a memory of one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country.

After this stop, keep cruising along the road to visit Sulphur Cauldron and Mud Volcano . These are the park’s most acidic hot springs and are worth a stop along the way.

To wrap up the day, camp at Grant Village Campground at the south end of Lake Yellowstone. You’ll pass the West Thumb of the lake, which formed 150,000 years ago after a big volcanic eruption. This campground is only open through June – September, so plan ahead accordingly.

Day 6: Drive Back to Jackson

One of the great things about having a full day left to start heading home towards the end of our road trip is if you missed anything in the Tetons you now have the opportunity to check it out! I recommend heading to Jackson, Wyoming for a lunch stop and afternoon walk-about. It’s a tourist town but has a unique tempo to it and lots of individual mom-and-pop stores. 

Don’t miss stopping in at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar too. It has so much history and is a neat spot to get a drink. Then, as you’re heading out of Jackson in the evening, grab dinner at The Bird  just south of town. They have a beautiful outdoor porch perfect for watching the sunset and toasting the end of your vacation.

Day 7: Drive to Salt Lake City and fly home

Travel back to Salt Lake City and fly home! If you get to SLC and have a few hours to burn I highly recommend you check out Park City (famous for incredible winter skiing and hosting the Sundance Film Festival) or if you really want to indulge (won’t lie, we did) then check out the Kura Door Spa . Their prices are average and all services include access to relaxation rooms, sauna, steam room, and yummy treats & tea. For food and drinks near downtown, check out Whiskey Street  (21+), Red Iguana  (killer classic margs and amazing guacamole), or Spitz  (delicious donor kabobs).

If you have a full day in town, Kristen has written posts about some cool outdoor spots near Salt Lake, such as Diamond Fork Hot Springs and Red Pine Lake .

Are you planning a Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park road trip or have you been? Share your comments, questions, and experiences below .

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Follow this detailed 7-day Teton and Yellowstone road trip itinerary to travel to the best sites, hikes, and attractions in these two incredible national parks.

Kim is a former principal who quit her job to solo hike all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. In other words…she’s a badass. She currently lives in Santa Barbara where she practices yoga, whips up tasty vegetarian food, and works as a guide leading kayaking, hiking, and biking tours.

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138 Comments

Great itinerary! I do want to point out that for the Lake Solitude hike, it will likely be at least 15 miles like the external link says (it was 20 miles roundtrip for us without using the boat). There is a multi-year trail maintenance project in progress for the trail system at Jenny lake, and the detours may extend the route. I just thought I’d mention it because 10 is quite a bit less than 15-20 when it comes to hiking and it’s always good to be prepared. It’s definitely worth seeing though!

Thanks for clarifying Emily! I went ahead and updated the post to reflect the trail maintenance that’s going on up there.

I lived in the area near Jackson for 2 years and had some of my most memorable fishing moments there! This place is worth visiting, great itinerary.

I was just up there last week and got to spend some time on the Snake and Gros Ventre Rivers. Sooooo pretty! Jealous you got to live up there. Seems like a super fun place to spend some time in.

Could someone please let me know when the best time to visit the above parks would be? Would love to visit in 2016!! Great itinerary!!

The Tetons and Yellowstone will be best in June-October. The fall if you want to avoid the crowds.

I worked at Signal Mountain Lodge for 8 years and served many a plate of nachos so it was fun to see you mention it. This is a great itinerary. I would just add white water rafting in Jackson as a don’t miss.

Great addition Donna! Thanks for checking out the post and glad you liked it.

Yellow Stone is one of the next places on my traveling list. It looks super cool, I have always wanted to go!

Hopefully this post inspires you to plan that trip you’ve been dreaming about!

Planning a trip there now! Your post was so very helpful! I cannot wait to get there! Hope you get to the Great Smoky Mountains- awesome hiking there too!

Awesome Anna! Have fun and tell me how it goes.

Hey Kristin and Kim! Thanks so much for this awesome itinerary. Currently using it as inspiration for planning my own week-long adventure!

Annnnd sorry for COMPLETELY misspelling your name Kristen!

ha no worries holly! glad it was helpful!

Great info. I pinned it. We are planing on going to Yelowstone, Teton, and Glacier. Is May to early to visit? Will it be cold?

Some of the roads will still be closed in Yellowstone in May. Check this page for the latest info: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm

Hey Kristen! This is super helpful in trying to plan an upcoming trip sometime in July, so thank you. Can I ask what your thoughts are on solo hiking and travel through Grand Teton/Yellowstone?

I think you’d be fine, especially if you stick to popular trails. They do recommended bear spray in the Tetons, so i would definitely plan on carrying that with you when you are hiking. I also use a SPOT transponder when I hike alone: https://bearfoottheory.com/spot-gen3-review/

Kristen. Great info. – we are going late August into the beginning of September but we are staying in Jackson Hole and Bozeman not camping any suggestions?

I don’t have any suggestions for hotels, but I’d suggest you try Airbnb. I bet you can find some cool places.If you haven’t ever used Airbnb, you can get $30 off your first stay by signing up at my link: http://www.airbnb.com/c/kbor

Hi Kristen, We did our Grand Teton and Yellowstone trip based on your itinerary and had a blast! Thank you!

Do you have your hotel/lodging by each day you used with this itinerary?

I believe the author camped at the campgrounds described in the post.

I visited Teton / Yellowstone from Aug 13 to 20th with my family and followed this itinerary with little alteration. For instance, as we were not camping, we just stayed in hotels along the way. As we moved through itinerary, it became obvious that we should not alter our path much from what was suggested as most of it seemed to have purpose. For instance, being able to compare Death Canyon with Cascade Canyon or visiting Signal Mountain Lodge (we stayed there) for awesome views, nachos and blackberry margaritas (no huckleberry while we were there). In Yellowstone, besides the great sight recommendations, we also stuck with the little things such as Woodside bakery stop, Park Ranger Museum and map room in Mammoth. These were the type of things that were off the beaten path but well worth it. The suggestion to hike the Wapiti trailhead to see the Yellowstone Grand Canyon from the south side was also spectacular as was the suggestion to visit Lake Butte lookout (we almost didn’t do it, but reminded ourselves that Kim had not steered us wrong to this point). Here is the only minor alterations we made: – We added a trip to Jackson to look around and go white water rafting down the Snake River between day 1 and 2 instead of waiting until day 6 – We detoured in Mammoth to visit the boiling river which was a hoot (total time about 2 hours) All in all, this is one of the best itineraries I found anywhere and it was a huge help in planning our trip. Many thanks to Kristen for posting and Kim for writing.

Wow! Those pictures are incredible. I hope to be able to visit the Tetons soon. Thanks for sharing your trip!

Would you say March a bad time to visit?

Many of the roads will still be closed in March due to snow. This itinerary is a summer itinerary

This looks great! I know this is an old post, but if you see this – I’m trying to put together an itinerary for a large family trip to Jackson and Yellowstone. Not everyone in our party will be up for a 15 mile hike(small children and grandparents). Any thoughts on what we could cut out and what stays?

Bourbon thanks so much for your message! There are some great short paths that are excellent for children and grandparents alike, especially in Yellowstone! A majority of the major sights in Yellowstone are under 0.5 mile paths. There is a Jackson Hole Children’s Museum so make sure to check that out for the kiddos!

Just found your blog and it will be put to use! Thanks!

My husband and I are interested in a one week vacation from 5/27 to 6/3/17. We are in mid-50s and fairly active. We would be flying into Bozeman MT and check out a bit of Montana, we well as visit Yellowstone np and Grand Tetons. Can this be done in this short timeframe? Your recommendations for how to approach trip? We live on the east coast, so checking out the beauty and the uniqueness of the west is our goal.

Hey Barbara – If you are flying into Bozeman, I think your best bet would be to drive down through Big Sky and enter through West Yellowstone. Then go south on the loop once you reach Yellowstone and then exit back to Bozeman at the north end of the lake. You might be pressed to also visit Teton National Park too, but it depends how much hiking and exploring you want to do vs driving.

Hi Kristen, this is the best itenerary I’ve seen for the area, thanks for sharing! Would love your thoughts on how to approach if we are driving in from the east (coming from Wi). Trying to decide if we should start south in grand Tetons, or come in from the north and work our way down. But how to do the loop then? We would also like to add in rafting in Jackson (or elsewhere?) and possibly the rodeo in Cody? We can do 9 days, but just lost on how best to route everything out. Would love to hear your thoughts!!

Hi Stacie! Thanks for your support. I was super excited to share my itinerary for the Tetons & Yellowstone on Bearfoot Theory! That is so awesome to hear you are road tripping out west from Wisconsin. Are you visiting both the Tetons & Yellowstone? If so, I would do the Cody rodeo on your way in then do Yellowstone first, starting North at Mammoth Hot Springs and drive down to Old Faithful Inn then around to Canyon Village and then back down towards the Tetons and Jackson. You could also maybe make a game time decision based on the best weather for whitewater rafting! Feel free to drop me a person email if you want to discuss more options or even hop on the phone and discuss what you potentially could drop off the trip. The best part of your adventure though is then your drive back home from the Tetons will be a little bit different to stop! Sounds great! Can’t wait to hear about it!

Would love to hear how this goes- I am looking to plan a road trip from MN- with kids ranging in age from 4-16.

Just one tiny correction. The river that flows over the 2 falls and forms the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (I like it better than the other Grand Canyon), that river is the Yellowstone, The Snake is further south in Grand Teton. Really enjoyed the itinerary. Have been to Yellowstone and the Tetons multiple times, but discovered a new trail that we will try in October. Thanks

Thanks Mick for the correction! Great to hear you enjoy the parks! Happy adventuring!

This is great! We just got back from a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Teton and loved it. Unfortunately we didn’t have 7 days but still managed to see a ton.

Hi! Thanks so much for all the great info! I have been attempting to plan this trip forever, but have been overwhelmed with too many options! Ha! One question, how limited would we be if we had our dog with us? We really want to bring her, but know it can limit what you can do. Thanks!!!

Hey, Natalie! Great question–Kristen actually just hit Yellowstone for 5 days in her Sprinter with her dog, Charlie, so it is definitely possible! We are working on a post right now about traveling with your dog so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you know when the post is live. Pets are not allowed on boardwalks, trails, or in the backcountry so it definitely does limit your experience in the park. There are numerous boarding and doggy day care places though in the small towns surrounding the park. Lots of options to consider to make the most of your trip for you AND your four-legged friend.

Hiya! We are doing a LONG road trip next month: Glacier (Sunday-Tuesday)–> Yellowstone (Chico HS: Tuesday-Friday) –>Teton –> Jackson–> SLC (fly out Monday) Do you have suggestions for coming “down” from Yellowstone and making our way to SLC? We don’t have anything nailed down once we leave Chico on Friday… Thanks in Advance! Lindsay

Hello Lindsay, thanks for reaching out. Not sure if you are speaking in terms of things to do or places to stay. In terms of things to do honestly, if you are leaving Yellowstone on Friday and heading through the Tetons & Jackson Hole to be in Salt Lake City by Monday you’ll be totally fine. You can easily spend a full day in the Tetons and another full day in Jackson Hole. Once in Salt Lake City if you have any extra time there are great hikes near Alta or you can also check out Park City, Utah. In terms of places to stay, I don’t have any stand out favorites but there are tons of options along that route. You could even look into a cute AirBnB.

Thank you so much for great info. Esp. like the idea of coming thru Victor Idaho, then returning difft route to SLC, where we would first arrive. Not BIG hikers, but my husband and i certainly could do the short route on Death Canyon Trailhead. You do not mention how to get back UP if we decide to go down to Lake. UT OH.Might catch us by surprise, and we cannot do an extensive trek. Good to know where to get margueritas, plus great view at Signal Mt. Lodge. Just starting to plan for trip in 2018. Thanks again for good details.

Have you personally taken the I80/89 route? I have been the other route in 2016. Both take you close to Bear Lake

Hi Melanie, this is Kim and I took the I80/89 route in 2015 when I visited the parks for the first time. I loved it.

Great itinerary! I’d add a soak in the Boiling River when you are at Mammoth. It’s the only hot spring in the front country where you are allowed to soak. You can also get into the Firehole River in one spot, but it’s bathtub temperature not hot :). As an FYI, it’s the Yellowstone River that flows through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, not the Snake River. That’s down in GTNP. I agree that the Fishing Bridge store is the best one in the park!

Thanks, Mel! We love these soaking spot recommendations! Will definitely check them out on our next trip through the park.

I live about an hour away from Yellowstone and go as often as possible! This was a great post and I would suggest this 7 day trip to anyone going to the Jackson Hole and Yellowstone! I will say this – There are still so many things that you should see if you have the time! For example, when exploring mammoth hot springs, take a short drive north to the Gardiner Entrance where you will get to see the Roosevelt Arch! It is really cool and you can get some iconic family pictures! Here is a article I wrote about the arch I think you will find it interesting! Article: https://outdoorsconnected.com/blog/john-f-yanceys-death-and-the-roosevelt-arch-/

Help! I am trying to plan a great trip for my family the summer of 2018. Having never done this I am a little overwhelmed by all of the options to chose from. Including what to see, where to stay and what activities to try. My plan is to fly into Rapid City SD. Spend one night and see the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, and Custer park. The next day travel to Devils Tower and then on into Red Lodge MT. (any advice on where we should stay (reasonably priced) and anything else we should see or do I would love to hear!) I want to take the north entrance into Yellow Stone from Red Lodge. From here I am at a loss!? Where should we stay, and how long? From YS I want to head down to GTNP and Jackson Hole. Again where to stay, see and do? I have 3 adult kids, and we would like some adventure. Any place we stay has to accommodate 5 people at a reasonable price. The plan is a 9-10 trip. Not trying to sound cheap but everything must be reasonably priced! I would love some advice 🙂

Hi Diane, have you checked out our lodging guide to Yellowstone? Here is the link: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/ Are you considering camping or potentially renting an RV? That would be the most reasonable option and there are some great options. When I plan long lengthy trips for a group I generally only pick 1-2 things at max to do/see a day, I find this makes it easier on me and allows time for things to be added to the list that we might discover. I haven’t been to Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Devil’s Tower, etc. so I can’t talk a lot about that area. I would plan to only do Badlands and Mt. Rushmore in one day, especially if you want to hike and explore Badlands–that is easily a full-day trip. Maybe you could do Devil’s Tower and arrive late to Red Lodge then head into the park the next morning. If you take the North entrance into Yellowstone, I’d stay near Canyon Village and spend one day doing the North Loop (we list plenty in this area to do for a full day in our itinerary) and then spend 1-2 nights in Grant Village before heading on to the Grand Tetons. Sounds like an incredible trip! Our itinerary has some great items for you to do and see. Feel free to email us @ [email protected] , if you have more questions or need support!

Hi Diane, It sounds like you will have a blast this coming summer! I have to agree with Kim with the places to stay- That article is well written and informative! When we take our kids to Yellowstone they love to go to Mammoth Hot Springs! There are a lot of fun things to do and see while you are there! Check out this article I wrote about the place: https://outdoorsconnected.com/blog/10-things-to-experience-during-your-next-trip-to-mammoth-hot-springs-in-yellowstone/ Have fun next summer!

We are planning a trip out in September. We have a 37 foot Class A. Would we have any troubles sticking to your itinerary using our camper? I am worried about narrow roads and dropoffs. Also, would you recommend towing a vehicle or are there car rental places in the area?

Hi Kristie, you’ll be fine on the roads in the park with a trailer that large. There are no car rental locations in the park but there are options in most major cities outside the park. I would consider towing a car.

Hi Kristen, Your itinerary and blog are great! What a resource! I’m starting my early planning for an early summer trip with my daughter (her first trip camping) where we will be flying from Hong Kong to either LA or SF and then likely up to Jackson. As time is limited can you advise: 1 . How many days do we need for Yellowstone and can we just drive through GTNP on way to Yellowstone (From JH) and if so how many days and where can we make first night camp. Eg our day 1 is your day 3? 2. Any recommended outdoor / camping stores in Jackson Hole as need to get (again) all my gears . Rentals possible? 3. Any recommendation where my wife might stay in hotel and we camp near by. She isn’t a camper but the little one wants to try out camping.

Hi Kelvin, thanks for reaching out! I would recommend at least three days for Yellowstone and at least one full day in GTNP. Check out our lodging post for lots of ideas on hotels that are literally steps away from some of the campgrounds: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/ Regarding gear, you should check out http://www.lowergear.com

Hi Kim, So for this itinerary, you rented your camping gear and rented a car?

Hi Jennifer! We did rent a car for this itinerary (from the Salt Lake City Airport) but we just flew with our camping gear, we didn’t rent any camping gear.

Hello, We are 2-3 families planning to visit Grand Teton and YSNP July 2018, coming from East coast, 7/8 nights, starting/finishing ,Jackson/SLC,, Could you please suggest Lodges and number of nights to book(DAY 1 to7) thank Anil

Hi Anil, check out our Yellowstone lodging guide: https://bearfoottheory.com/yellowstone-campgrounds-lodging/

This is the best itinerary I have read and I have read a lot ! Hubby and I are in our 60’s will be flying into Jackson in September. We have reservations at Lake Yellowstone and Canyon then on to the Tetons for two nights. Our first trip so I really appreciate all of the information. We will be coming in the South entrance , is there a link to which way we should start out ? Thank you for all of the info.

Hi Linda, so awesome to hear you are heading to Jackson this Fall. You’re going to love it. I started at the South entrance as well. You can take either route to loop all the way up and around.

I’ve convinced my husband to make this our one year anniversary trip in June. Unfortunately due to his work schedule we will be flying in on a Wednesday and Flying out on a Sunday. Anyone have recommendations for being able to stick to this itinerary best we can with a shorter stay? This is, by far, my favorite I’ve found thus far.

Great suggestions! We’re going this summer with our 3 kids, ages 3, 7 and 10. I saw the one suggestion about the Jackson Hole children’s museum – any other fun kid ideas? They’ll hike 1-2 miles, but there’s only so much hiking we can do… We’re staying in Colter Bay 2-3 days and are flying in and out of Idaho Falls. Looking for where else we should stay. Thanks!

Hey Katie! That is awesome to hear you are taking your kids to the Tetons! Check in with the National Parks regarding talks & programs geared towards kids for the time you are there. Every Wednesday & Saturday there is a rodeo in town–might be a fun night out! If you’re traveling in July there is also the County Fair to visit. Good luck with your trip!

Hi – We are from the East Coast and hoping to go to Yellowstone/Jackson Hole this August. Original thought was to fly into Billings or Bozeman and checking out Beartooth pass on the way into the park. Also looking to do some fly fishing. Any thoughts on how to adapt your itinerary by coming in from the North? Also on my initial list was Lamar Valley with hopes to see some wildlife at dawn. Is that something that should be reserved for another visit perhaps when the wildlife is more active in the spring? Thanks for any thoughts.

Hi Ted, thanks for a great question! For coming in by the North you can easily adapt the itinerary. Day 4 on our itinerary, visiting Mammoth Hot Springs, would be your first day and then I would head to Yellowstone’s Canyon & Lake the next day (Day 5 on our itinerary). You could then circle back to do the Grant Village area the following day before heading to the Tetons where you’d just do our itinerary in reverse. Lamar Valley is 100% worth seeing, even if you don’t catch a glimpse of any wildlife it’s a beautiful area worth including.

Thank you Kim!

I have spent some summers in both parks. I like the itinerary you have for the week stay. If you ever get back you need to stop at Leeks Marina and go to Leeks Pizza a mile north of Colter Bay . Really, really good pizza with a great selection of toppings. Very good pasta also, you will love it. A great beer selection and a porch view of Jackson Lake and the Tetons. Did all the hikes you had listed. So much to see, you have picked some good ones.

what suggestions do u have for camping… are there places there to rent equipment or do people bring their own stuff on the airplane, we plan to stay at an airbnb for a few nights when we r outside the park but wanted the experience of camping for a night or 2 inside the park , any suggestions would be appreciated we are flying in salt lake city. plan on going to Grand Tetons for a day or two… then do Yellowstone for 3 or 4 and head back to SLC Thank you!!!!

Hi Jackie, I recommend packing your own gear for camping in the pack. Just pack the bare minimum that you’ll need to be comfortable. We are actually working on a gear rental blog piece so stay tuned! So great to hear you are heading to the parks!

I was wondering for Day 1 when you mentioned “Grand Teton Visitor Center near the South Entrance,” exactly which visitor center you’re referring to? I am planning my trip and want to follow your plan as closely as possible!

Hi Farheen, we are referring to the first Visitor Center when you enter. It is located at 1 Teton Park Rd, Moose, WY 83012 and is formally called the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.

Can you tell me how many miles this trip is. I’m renting a camper van and need to know if we should purchase additional miles. Do you have any recommendations on where to rent a Camper Van?

Hi Liz, the entire trek from Salt Lake City airport to Yellowstone and back to the airport is at least 720 miles but with side trips and such I’d estimate about 800 miles to be safe. Have you checked out our post on the best places to rent camper vans? We have lots of great recs & ideas in there: https://bearfoottheory.com/campervan-rental-companies-us-road-trip/

Hey Kim, We are planning a trip out West this September leaving AL. on the 15th going to stop at MT. Rushmore 16th and then go to Yellowstone the 17th we’re staying there til the 19th then we thought about going to Teton and Jackson Hole then make our way to Cal. to Sequoia Nat. Park maybe stay there 2 days then thought about going to Las Vegas for the night then going to the Grand Canyon for 2 days then maybe Texas for 1 day then back to AL. Do you have any suggestions? We like seeing Wildlife. And is September a good time to come?

Hi Suzie, September is a great time for Yellowstone as long as snow doesn’t come too early! I would 100% allow time for Tetons; wildlife is abundant and it is breathtaking. Have you visited Yosemite before? Is there a reason you are leaving it out? Grand Canyon sounds amazing as well. Have you checked out our Ultimate Utah roadtrip itinerary of the National Parks? You might want to consider visiting one or two of those parks if it works within your schedule. https://bearfoottheory.com/utah-national-parks/ Zion generally has pretty good wildlife.

Thank you! I had the exact same question 🙂

Thank you for this wonderful and detailed itinerary! My partner and I have been planning to drive and hike around Yellowstone in June, but unfortunately I broke my ankle last week skiing 🙁 I should be out of the cast by June but likely not much of a hiker still. We are now trying to revise the plan to be primarily a driving trip with only light hiking/walking. Will you have a sense of which of the must-sees along the Yellowstone route will not be accessible without a substantial hike? We gotta return to Bozeman at the end of the trip, so we’ll likely be starting from there as well to make it a loop. Thank you for your insights – and thanks again for this travel guide which is obviously a labour of love!

Hi Mariya, this itinerary is still absolutely breathtaking without taking any of the dayhikes. Especially in Yellowstone there are numerous small paths that you can enjoy to really get a sense of the park. You can definitely see both parks without long day hikes/backpacking.

When we booked our trip to Grant Tetons/Yellowstone, I felt overwhelmed with the amount of things we wanted to see in our short 6 day trip, until I found this! AMAZING! I have a few questions… we will be coming from Salt Lake, stopping in Jackson for a day then heading into the parks. We will have 4 nights and 4.5 days to spend in the parks. How would you recommend shortening the trip a little? We were thinking 2 nights in the Grand Tetons, and 2.5 days spent hiking the Tetons. Then travel to Yellowstone midday our 3rd day, hit Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin, and pitch camp at Canyon campground. Spend the most of the next day doing the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Our last day in the park, going up to Mammoth Hot Springs before heading back to Salt Lake since we fly out very early the next morning (about an 8 hour drive). Do you think that sounds reasonable? Thanks in advance for your input!

Hey Frankie, you have done your research! Your trip sounds AMAZING! Honestly, I wouldn’t really change anything. I’d try on your first day to get there as early as possible to the Tetons to explore and honestly you might only need 2 days to explore the Tetons and then head on up to Yellowstone that way you’ll be building in some extra time in case you need it in Yellowstone or in case on your way back to SLC you decide to stop to see anything missed in the Tetons.

Hi all, We have booked our trip! Flying into Jackson Hole 7/31 and then flying out of Jackson on 8/8 We plan to follow the itinerary as closely as possible. The question i have is regarding the camping gear. would it be best to rent camping equipment from someplace local? Anyone with experience doing this? Thank you. Ted

This is Exactly what I Have been looking for quite some time. We plan on going to the Yellow stone National Park in the end of may this year. I have made my own itinerary covering Yellow Stone, Bad Lands and Mt Rushmore in 4 days. But, this coming from a person who has already been there should certainly help us. Thanks.

I am trying to plan my days for Yellowstone/Tetons. My wife and I will be with three of our children 12-14-16. We will be staying 3 nights in West Yellowstone and 5 nights in Jackson Hole. I am trying to figure out a plan to get the most out of our days with our launching points. Also we are interested in a good float for the family,more sight seeing than adventure but my 16yr old and I also want to do white water one day. Any advice would be appreciated!!

Hi Craig, sounds like you’re going to have a great time–those are awesome launching points and you’re set up for a good number of nights! I didn’t raft when I was there so I, unfortunately, can’t recommend a good vendor for rafting trips but personally, I utilize TripAdvisor and you might want to start there.

Thank you so much for this amazing, detailed, thorough itinerary! It is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Do you mind providing a list of what you guys packed? As far as camping/hiking gear etc? We are currently trying to decide on whether we want to do camping vs hotels/lodging due to the baggage fees on airplanes. If we do hotels/lodging, we could easily pack one carry on each which would save us $.

You bring up a really great point! I think if you did a cost comparison you’d find that camping is still less expensive even if you have to pay for 1 additional bag. We flew Southwest so we could each fly with 2 bags for free so we weren’t concerned about baggage fees. I think you’d be able to fit all your camping gear in one bag (I love the Patagonia Black Hole duffels and they work well for this situation). You really only need your tent, 2 sleeping pads & 2 sleeping bags. Those items for me all fit easily in a backpack and I traveled with my backpack and then put clothing in a rolling suitcase (carry-on size). I carried my trekking poles on the plane as well & we wore our hiking boots on the plane with flip-flops in our bag. Hotels are really expensive in the area so again I think you’d save more on camping. All of my camping gear is also lightweight & built for backpacking so it really depends on the quality/level of gear you have. We ate out so we didn’t pack any camping kitchen items. The only additional items we packed were headlamps.

Lotus cafe is closed.

Thanks so much, Sean, for the update. We are saddened to learn that.

Hi, Thanks for sharing, really helpful. We are planning to visit this August. We have made bookings and will stay first in Mammoth Frontier Cabin for 2 nights, then Canyon Lodge Western Cabin for 2 nights and in the end 3 nights in OF Inn Old House. Would you suggest how should be plan our visit as per the bookings we have made. Thanks !

Hi Ram! Nice job getting all those reservations; you’re going to have an incredible time. When you stay at Old Faithful that will be the best time to visit Grand Teton National Park (Day 1 & 2); that also is the best location for Day 3 on our itinerary. When you’re at the Mammoth Frontier Cabin you’ll want to focus on that area which is Day 4 on our itinerary. Day 5 will be best to accomplish when you are at the Canyon Lodge. If you’re wanting to visit Jackson at all you’ll also want to do that when staying at Old Faithful (but it is still a bit of a drive).

Hi Kim, We’re planning our first trip to Yellowstone, but will barely have 7 days to do it all. Plus, we’re not campers, so we’re looking at staying at the lodges in the park. Is your itinerary doable in 6 days? By the way, the header for your “Day 5” is missing above. Where does your “Day 5” begin? This page is great and full of great ideas. We plan on following it as best we can in the time we have.

Kristen and crew – I’ve been following your blog and instagram as I research camper van options. Love your posts!! I’m renting a sprinter from Venture Vans in May for a Yellowstone/Grand Teton 6 night trip. They want $100/day (not including camp fees) to assist. $600-700 seems like a lot for the itinerary, but I have not been before. I understand late-May weather can be iffy. Do you think I can follow this itinerary with a 4×4 144″WB that time of year? Camping where you suggest? Thanks so much! I appreciate any insights:) Lisa

Hi Lisa- It looks like no one here got back to you, but I think you will be fine in Late May. There has been a ton of snow, so you won’t necessarily be able to do all the hikes, and some of the campgrounds in Yellowstone might not be open yet, but the one near Mammoth should be great (It’s my favorite and we usually spend mother’s day weekend there). May is great for seeing baby Bison, and it shouldn’t be too crowded. 🙂 If you are headed to Jackson, check out this post too: myoffpistelife.com/tips-for-exploring-jackson-hole-and-grand-teton-national-park/

Great article, enjoyed reading it, especially the way you divided your trip day by day made it a much more interesting and easier read.

Copying the Yellowstone portion of this itinerary except in reverse! Canyon Village lodging was only available if I went their first and then to West Yellowstone and back down to Old Faithful area. Hope it still works well in reverse but I’m so excited 🙂

am planning on visiting grand tetons and yellowstone later this month with a group of 11- adult children in their 20’s and their parents. Renting an airbnb just outside the parks. Do you recommend any particular books for the area with hiking trails and information? Will try to follow your itinerary somewhat but will be staying in Jackson hole for part of the week and at the west gate of Yellowstone for part of the week. Thanks. Any suggestions? Ruth

Do you have an recommendations on where to stay with your group of 11?

We travel back to Texas from Alaska every summer and this year had hoped to come back for a week in Yellowstone and the Tetons in September. With life a bit unsettled now, we aren’t making definite plans, but if it works out we can hopefully use this plan from north to south, and find accommodations for our trailer. Last year we came back through Glacier National Park and had a magical trip.

It is hard to make plans right now, hopefully things settle down by the time September comes around. This itinerary will be here when you’re able to head out there! All the best from the Bearfoot Theory team 🙂

Thanks for all of these tips! We are going to be spending a month in Jackson, WY this September and can’t wait to see the Tetons and explore Yellowstone!

Nice, enjoy and travel safe! Thanks for reading 🙂

We followed a lot of recommendations from Bearfeet Theory on our visit to Yellowstone. It was the the first tie I had been and this was helpful. I suggest that you make the trip there interesting as well with fun stops along the way and also that you create video clips and edit them together to remember the whole adventure. We came from San Diego and had so much fun. Check out my video for some ideas… https://youtu.be/fEEA6r7DX4s

Glad you found this blog post helpful! Thanks for reading and for sharing your video. Looks like you guys had a great trip 🙂

We did! Thanks for the helpful post!

Excellent video of a great road trip. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks! My kids watch it over and over…we just got back from another roadtrip and I have started to put the new video together this week. Subscribe to my channel and hit the notification bell to be notified when it comes out.

Headed to Jackson next week. So thankful I found your itinerary! Would this itinerary be your choice with all the smoke in the area?

Glad you found it helpful! We can’t speak to the current situation out there, but I’d recommend looking up fire maps and smoke/air quality maps for the area before deciding if it’s safe to head that way. Best of luck!

In visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, one os the 10 most scenic drives in the West, per National Geographic magazine was missed. That is the 255 mile loop to the west of the mountain range. It goes from Jackson Hole across scenic and beautiful Teton Pass to Victor Idaho. Then North on Hwy 33 to Tetonia, seeing the quaint western Town of Driggs and passing two breweries and Grand Teton Distillery. Stop for samples of Huckleberry bodka and award winning whiskeys. Then further north through Mesa Falls and Island Park where there is great fishing at Henry’s Fork of the Snake River. You end up at the West Hate of Yellowstone where you can enter the Park and loop around both upper and lower falls, pinic along the river and then bisit the lidge at Olf Faithful before heading south again through Grand Teton Park and exiting the South Gate back to Jackson. The Loop can be easily done in a day with lots of activities and magnificent views of both sides of the mountains all day.

That sounds like a fun and scenic loop. Thanks for the tip, Jennie!

My son and I visited the park last August [2020) . This would have been a great itinerary but there were road closures for mud slides, an overturned tanker, fires and road construction. The road from Canyon Village to the Tower was closed foe construction and maybe again this year. Be sure to check road closures when making your plans. We had foe days in the park and saw amazing sites including a day of snow (yes in August) . Be prepared for traffic at all the major attractions and parking. And remember a bison parade can stall your plans as they have the right of way.

Just planned a trip with our 4 adult children for this June. First time to JH area & very excited but feeling a bit overwhelmed with how/where best to drive vs hike vs raft, etc. Staying in Teton Village. Will be using this itinerary for many tips!! Can’t thank you enough for sharing; any other tips from anyone would help!

Sounds like it will be a great family adventure!

We are planning a trip this July to Yellowstone & Grand Tetons. We will be coming from the east. Should we start in GT or Yellowstone? We also would like to know the best place to rent a VRBO? Do we rent in between the two parks? Is it doable to have an in between point or just move lodging to be closer to each park?Also, is Glacier doable if we only have about 8 days for entire time out there? Would love to do the Road to the sun road trip. I have lots of questions, this is a huge trip with so many options! Your itinerary is extremely helpful.

The two parks are about three hours apart, so it’s probably best to enjoy one before heading over to the other. Which one you start with really depends on which route you coming in on from the East (rt 14 or 26). Glacier would be a lot to add to an 8-day trip, maybe keep that one for next summer!

Hello we are planning a trip this June We will be flying into Vegas, hoping to visit Hoover dam, west rim of Grand Canyon, visiting Zion NP, Bryce NP. What would be best route to go to Arches, Grand Teton, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone from Bryce We will be flying back home from Salt Lake City.

The fastest way from Bryce to Arches would be Rt 70, but you could also take Rt 12, which would pass by Capitol Reef National Park

Thanks! Great itinerary. We are planning to visit Yellowstone and GTNP this summer coming from ND. We want to go to the rodeo in Cody also. Where would be the best place to add that stop?

Since Cody is closer to Yellowstone, it probably makes sense to tack it on at the end if you plan on following this itinerary.

Is it possible to make this 7 day trip yet only stay at two locations? I’m not sure I want to pack up my family of 6 every day. Are there central cities that we could find lodging that you would recommend (to eliminate as much repeat driving as possible?

You could stay definitely at one place within or near each Park and explore them individually. Jackson Hole is the largest town near Grand Teton and Yellowstone has nine different lodges within the park.

We are planning a 7 day trip leaving Florida on August 16th to visit both parks beginning in SLC..Both of us are looking for recommendations on economical/budget hotels during the trip as we will be enjoying the scenery from our rental car. We love to take walking trips and plan to do so when the trails are available and noted. Any advise would be helpful.

This itinerary is awesome!! If you only had one day at Grand Teton, how would you alter the itinerary? Your help is much appreciated!!

It really depends on what you’re interested in. If you want great scenery and don’t mind some crowds, the Death Canyon Trail is stunning and the Visitor Center is a great intro to the park, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to explore it. But if you prefer to get off the beaten path a bit, heading to the other side of Jenny Lake offers more hiking opportunities and more of a backcountry feel if you hike up to Lake Solitude. Both days are great, it just depends on what you’re looking for!

We are planning a Yellowstone/ Grand Teton trip this fall. Fly into Cody on Sept. 25. Will spend that night in Cody and last night in Cody on Oct 3, fly out on the 4th.We were thinking 4 nights Yellowstone and three for Grand Teton but having trouble deciding which park first and how to divide our nights. Do we come in the northeast entrance and out the east entrance? Would two nights in west Yellowstone then two in canyon, one in Colter and two in Jackson make sense? Or one in Gardiner, one west Yellowstone, 2 Canyon? Or in east entrance and down to grand Teton first? We are so confused not knowing the area at all!

Hi Christina, you could follow this 7-day itinerary by entering Yellowstone from Cody, but instead of going to Jackson at the end of the trip, head back to Cody via rt. 20. If you want to break up the drive, Boyson State Park could be a great stop.

Hi! On Day 2, as opposed to camping, what alternative lodging do you recommend?

Signal Mountain Lodge would be a great choice with beautiful views.

My husband and I did a 12 day road trip through SD/WY/MT/ND 3 years ago and did not spend anywhere near enough time in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We’ve talked about going back to specifically spend the whole time in those 2 places. This itinerary is exactly what we need to make that trip. Guess we’ll start planning for 2023!

Hi Margaret, we’re so glad you found this itinerary helpful! Agreed that Yellowstone/Grand Tetons are magical places – glad to hear you’re planning a return visit 🙂

We are planning an 8 night round trip for Yellowstone/Tetons from Bozeman in early September and I am trying to pin down our route. We arrive late the first night and will stay in Bozeman or Big Sky. I think we are too late for reservations in the park, so here are my preliminary thoughts on a route:

Night 1 Bozeman or Big Sky Night 2-4 West Yellowstone Night 5-6 Jackson Night 7 Cody Night 8 Gardiner Day 9 Depart Bozeman

On the drive from Cody to Gardner I was thinking entering northeast entrance of Yellowstone and seeing Lamar Pass and some of the other northern sites along the way. Any thoughts or suggested adjustments to this route?

Hi Mark, unfortunately the person who wrote this guide no longer writes for us, and I haven’t been to the Tetons/Yellowstone (yet!). Best of luck on tripping planning and enjoy!

Planning on doing this itinerary next month. If starting early in the mornings what time will you typically be done? Trying to decide if we have room to plan anything in the mornings or afternoons.

Hi Tasha, this was written by a former Bearfoot Theory writer so I’m not sure how many hours per day the itinerary includes. Sorry about that!

KIm We are going in and out of Jackson hole…can I use this itinerary and how can I print it

Solo Female Travel Expert

Visiting Yellowstone in 3 days

Yellowstone in 3 days.

Can you do Yellowstone in 3 days? Yes, you can cover most of Yellowstone National Park in three days but that does not include drive time to the park.

Yellowstone is a massive 2.2 million acres so you will have a lot of ground to cover. You will also need to make reservations ahead of time and they do book up quickly.

yellowstone 3 day itinerary

Check out my post on the Best Airbnbs near Yellowstone National Park .

This Yellowstone in 3 days itinerary starts at the East Entrance at the Lamar Valley and Day 1 heads along the upper loop to the Upper Geyser Basin before heading all the way to the West Gate. Day 2 heads along the lower loop and back out the West Gate. Day 3 heads all the way South in the park and exits to Grand Teton National Park.

If you only have two days, check out this 2 day Yellowstone itinerary .

yellowstone 3 days

We took 2 days to drive from Wisconsin to Yellowstone via the Badlands, Mount Rushmore and Devils Tower and then headed to Grand Teton National Park for a day before heading back to Wisconsin. You can check out these 10 beautiful sites in Yellowstone.

Check out these things to do in Yellowstone .

yellowstone national park 3 days

Here are all the sites to see in Yellowstone in 3 days.

Day 1 – Upper Loop Highlights of Yellowstone – this is the most popular route

Mammoth Hot Springs Grand Prismatic Spring Yellowstone Lake West Thumb Geyser Basin Mud Volcano Area Yellowstone River

Day 2 – Lower Loop Highlights of Yellowstone

Norris Geyser Basin Old Faithful Geyser and Upper Geyser Basin Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

Day 3 – Southern Yellowstone to Grand Teton

Old Faithful Eruption Petrified Tree Mammoth Hot Springs Roaring Mountain Grand Teton National Park

3 days yellowstone

Yellowstone in 3 days – An itinerary for Yellowstone National Park

Day 1 -east entrance of yellowstone and upper loop.

After the obligatory pictures by the Yellowstone National Park signs we were on the look out for animals. About half an hour in we saw a field full of bison by the side of the road and a bald eagle.

3 day itinerary yellowstone

We also saw an Elk by the side of the road. In Yellowstone all of the traffic jams are due to animals. You can have a bison jam, a bear jam, basically any kind of animal by the side of the road will cause a traffic jam.

There are really two loops at Yellowstone. The upper loop and the bottom loop. We were going on a bus trip that would take us on the lower loop so we were completing the upper loop by coming in from the Eastern Entrance and going up to Mammoth Springs and then out the Western Entrance.

Mammoth Hot Springs was a busy area. The pools take about an hour to walk around and look at the different terraces. I was not as impressed with this area compared to the photos I had seen online. I was ok with that because I learned about the geo-thermal activity at Yellowstone and exactly how much activity there is there.

Day 2 – West Entrance and Lower Loop with the Buffalo Bus

We were picked up at 8.15 am by the Buffalo Bus . Once everyone was on board we set off for the western entrance. Our drivers name was Graham and he had been working in the park for five years.

Our first stop was to at Norris Basin which is a quick little stop off to see the mud pools and thermal activity.

Next we went onto the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the reason it is named Yellowstone – because of the yellow stone around the canyon.

3 day itinerary yellowstone national park

We also stopped by Old Faithful which wasn’t being so faithful for us. Basically, Old Faithful goes off every 90 minutes give or take 17 minutes. The day we were there we arrive 20 minutes early and it hadn’t gone off yet. So we stood and waited as more and more people came. Then the rain came and started getting heavier and heavier to the point where I was getting soaked and didn’t have an umbrella. So now its about 45 minutes after it is suppose to erupt and still nothing.

So I decided to go back into the Old Faithful Inn and wait it out. I went to the bathroom and then checked back – still no eruption. I went and checked out the ice creams – still no eruption. Went to check out the shop – still no eruption. Most people had given up by then so I went back outside to check it and then it finally started to erupt. Usually it goes for two to three minutes but this time it was only around a minute and it wasn’t a very big eruption either.

Old Faithful Inn has the third highest population in Wyoming when it is erupting. There are that many people there and that few people in Wyoming!

It was a really good day with Buffalo Bus. They showed us lots of wildlife and took us to a nice quiet place to have lunch. Graham also told us a lot about the history of Yellowstone.

Day 3- West Entrance to the South Entrance and to Grand Teton National Park

The plan was to drive straight through Yellowstone to the Grand Teton National Park. Plans are good but never really work out.  Check out these travel tips for the US.

yellowstone 3 days itinerary

As we were driving we stopped at Old Faithful Lodge area to grab a coffee and use the bathrooms. We then realised that it was about to erupt in 15 minutes so we decided to stay and watch since yesterday’s eruption was such a disaster. It was a beautiful still morning and we could see that Old Faithful was starting to bubble over. Next thing we knew it was erupting and went on for a good two minutes.

We decided to stay for breakfast at the Old Faithful in afterwards. I think we had gotten a taste for not driving around and didn’t really want to get back into the car. We probably should have skipped breakfast because the service was awful. After breakfast we finally were heading towards Grand Teton National Park. Even though you can see the signs that you are leaving Yellowstone and then you’re travelling along the highway for awhile before you enter Grand Teton its all a forested area.

After all the planning I did for Yellowstone I hadn’t done any for Teton so we decided to go to our hotel first and then come up with a plan. As we checked in it was raining a bit outside but once we got to the room it decided to down pour. For me this was our first forced break and we chilled in the room for two hours before we headed out.

travel blogs yellowstone national park

The plan for the rest of the day was to do the 42 mile scenic loop and find somewhere good to eat for dinner. So we headed along the loop towards Jenny Lake and then onto Jackson Hole. Jenny Lake is stunning and if you only stop at one place in the park this is it. We spent a bit of time here taking photos and just taking it all in.

On our way to Jackson Hole we saw another bunch of people parked on the side of the rode near Moose Junction and guess what they said they saw but a moose! So we went to have a look and the ranger said he will be back in 3-4 hours to eat again.

So we headed to Jackson to eat ourselves and ended up at this place called Bin 22 which was a wine bar. And it happened to be half price happy hour too. We had some great tapas there along with a few drinks. Just as we were finishing the wind picked up and a few drops started.

Next thing we knew it was full on rain! So we had to run back to the car ducking under eaves to not get wet. We thought we’d earned an ice cream after that so went to Moo which makes all its own ice creams. Yum.

Heading back to the hotel we decided to stop one more time at Moose Junction and we were able to finally see a moose. We watched him for about half an hour eating his dinner and taking as many pictures as possible. As we got back in the car we all said what a perfect end to our week. We had finally seen a moose and had basically seen everything – grizzly bear, black bear, bald eagle, bison, elk, deer, and a moose.

You can also do Yellowstone National Park in one day by doing the Grand Loop Road which takes you past the top spots.  Do not underestimate the drive times in the park as the speed limit is low and you will hit traffic jams from other tourists.

That completes the Yellowstone in 3 days Itinerary but we also made a couple of stops on the way out to Yellowstone.

Getting there – Roadtrip to Yellowstone

From Wisconsin its an 18-19 hour drive so we knew we’d have to break it up with a few stops along the way. South Dakota has a lot to offer in the way of sights so we stopped off at the Badlands and Mount Rushmore.

I was really surprised by the Badlands. The pictures do not do it justice and we arrived just as the sun was hitting the rocks. It looked amazing. We only spent about an hour driving around but you could easily spend half a day walking around here.

We arrived around 8pm and thought we’d be the only ones there but actually there were quite a few people there.

I was surprised with how nice the area is around Mount Rushmore. We did the Presidential loop which is a mile walk around the park that takes you right under the Presidents. It was really nice to stretch our legs after a long day of being in the car.

It took us two days to get to Yellowstone with lots of stops along the way. On our second day we left from Hill City and went on the Kneedles Highway on our way to Devils Tower in Wyoming. This was my first time in Wyoming and getting us one step closer to Yellowstone.

To drive on the Kneedles Highway you must enter Custer State Park. Its about an hour on the 14 mile stretch of road that twists and turns sharply and requires you to go through low tunnels carved out of the granite. On our first tunnel we saw goats who really didn’t want to get out of our way.

The drive was beautiful and even though it was early in the morning we didn’t see a lot of wildlife except for a few deer. We then had breakfast near Sylvan Lake. I wish we had more time to hike around but we wanted to get going and head to Devils Tower in Wyoming.

Devils Tower rises dramatically 1,267 feet above the surrounding terrain. You can see Devils Tower from the road before you can actually enter the park. We toyed with not going in but decided that we would go in and walk around. It only costs $10 per car to enter. We walked around the base of the tower before heading back out on the road.

We stayed in Cody, Wyoming which is about an hour from the entrance of Yellowstone National Park East Entrance

travel blogs yellowstone national park

Nicole LaBarge is a travel expert who has been traveling internationally for over 25 years and she has visited over 115 countries all while working a 9-5. She has lived in England, Scotland, Japan and New Zealand. Check out her detailed destination guides and travel product guides.

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The complete guide to Yellowstone National Park

Apr 15, 2021 • 19 min read

Overview of Lower Yellowstone Falls.

Yellowstone National Park is the rare destination that lives up to its own mythology ©Matt Munro/Lonely Planet

This place was named not by the French fur trappers who wandered through in the late 1700s looking for pelts or by John Colter – the member of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition who struck off on his own and stumbled across a place so uncanny his reports of what he saw were dismissed as pure fantasy. Yellowstone was named by the Indigenous Hidatsa people whose phrase  Mi tsi a-da-zi  called attention to the unusual hue of the stones lining the Yellow Rock River.

For thousands of years, Yellowstone's unique landscape has changed in ways both dramatic and minute. It's also continued to attract visitors, whether they're the ancestors of the Hidatsa following winter game, colonial-era settlers, or vacationing families on a classic summer road trip. There's certainly no bad time to visit Yellowstone. Open ten months out of the year, there's something new to experience in any season. And while some elements like wildlife and weather can be unpredictable, one thing is for sure. Whether you're visiting for the very first time or you've come back again and again over the years, you're in for a treat whenever you set foot in the park.

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From strolling the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk to see famous spouts like Old Faithful or making your way through the mist around Grand Prismatic Spring to enjoying a winter safari through the Lamar Valley and cross-country skiing to Lone Star Geyser, there's a little something for everyone. 

Here's what you need to know to start planning your trip – and for more detail pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks travel guide  and Yellowstone National Park Planning Map.

Editor's note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yellowstone National Park began a phased reopening on June 1. Services and facilities will remain limited through 2020. Check the  national park website  for the latest info.

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About Yellowstone National Park

Millions of years ago, this was a fairly ordinary swath of rivers, mountains, and grassy valleys. But then a geologic hot spit that once sat underneath what is now Idaho's  Craters of the Moon National Monument  shifted to the northeast where the Rocky Mountains meet the Snake River Plain. A long, slow drift to the confluence of what is now Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and one cataclysmic eruption later, the place we now know as Yellowstone was born – including its famous geysers, hot springs, and travertine falls.

Since then, Yellowstone's living, breathing landscape continues to evolve. Beneath the boardwalks tourists criss-cross to see the park's thermal features, under the rolling rivers and the paws of bears and wolves is a vast super caldera, the mouth of a series of massive eruptions, the last of which occurred as recently as 630,000 years ago. The park's colorful, superheated paintpots, springs, and boiling rivers are the product of ongoing volcanic activity underneath a thin layer of the earth's crust, while its dramatic canyons reveal where the Yellowstone River has carved through millennia of hardened lava flows that have built up stunning basalt cliffs and ridges. 

The Indigenous tribes who wintered in Yellowstone specialized obsidian tools made from all that abundant volcanic material endemic to the area. These arrow and spear points were so highly prized that they have been found in archeological sites far east of the Mississippi, working their way down long, well-established trade routes between tribes. Despite the unique landforms and abundance of resources, however, Yellowstone didn't attract serious interest from white colonizers until after the Civil War, when the Cook-Folsom-Peterson Expedition arrived in 1869.

Yellowstone: Canyon, 1871.

Unlike previous visitors from back east, whose accounts were taken as the stuff of myth, fantasy, and salesmanship, the Folsom party's accounts of what they saw in Yellowstone were taken seriously, backed up by maps and detailed surveying notes. It didn't take long for colonial settlers who'd arrived in the region on the heels of so-called Indian Removal to begin advocating for preserving the area, rather than opening it up to private developers for logging and mining.

Those recommendations were quick to reach the U.S. government in Washington D.C. By 1872, photographs and paintings by artists like Thomas Moran were amazing the public back east and won over not only the populace, but politicians, too. President Ulysses S. Grant made Yellowstone the country's first national park that year expressly "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" – a surprising choice in a rapidly industrializing nation that often saw wilderness not as a playground, but a resource to exploit. 

Historical Collection

The decision to establish Yellowstone as a national park had stunning implications, and arguably ushered in the first real era of American tourism and outdoor recreation. Wealthy visitors made the long journey to Wyoming territory on brand new rail lines and stayed in luxurious lodges, touring Yellowstone in bright yellow stage coaches. Eventually, America's growing middle class followed in the first automobiles and RVs , eager to see the mythic American west for themselves.

The creation of Yellowstone also gave rise to the whole National Parks Service when further lands like Yosemite and Sequoia were designated as national parks nearly 20 years later. Park rangers, too, were a new invention descended from a post-Civil War military in need of a new assignment. Soldiers who'd once served on the front lines against the Confederacy found themselves defending Yellowstone from vandals and outlaws who hadn't yet grasped the concept of conservation.

Yellowstone Park: Geyser.

Major Attractions

Today, Yellowstone is a smorgasbord of things to do and see, and some of its very best features are incredibly easy to access. That said, there's also plenty of ways for adventurers to work up a sweat, like climbing to the top of the park's many summits or taking in views of the caldera from the shore of Yellowstone Lake while you drop a fishing line into its depths. From peeping wildlife in the Lamar Valley to dipping off the beaten path on a guided horseback tour, Yellowstone is as rich in experiences as it is in natural wonders.

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Thermal Features

Some of the most famous and eye-catching features in the park, including Old Faithful , the Upper Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Fountain Paint Pot  trail, Mud Volcano , West Thumb Geyser Basin, Norris Geyser Basin , Porcelain Basin, and the Mammoth Hot Spring Terraces are viewable year-round.

The park's many thermal areas are connected by scenic drives and, once you arrive, smooth boardwalks punctuated by plenty of bump outs for photo opportunities. While the scenery is ceaselessly spectacular, steamy, and mysterious, the rainbow hues of the thermal features and their attendant bacterial colonies pop – especially in the winter, when they contrast technicolor bright against banks of fresh snow.

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Stunning Vistas

Tower Fall is a must-see, cascading 132 feet over dramatic volcanic towers into the Yellowstone River like something out of  Lord of the Rings.  The viewpoint is just a short walk from a place to park and the adjacent Tower Fall Campground .

Despite the less evocative name, Lower Falls is an even more impressive scene. For one, it's the tallest waterfall in the park, over twice as high as Tower Fall and bigger even than Niagara back east. It's viewable from multiple points on the rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, including the aptly named Lookout Point and Artist Point, as well as Red Rock Point, and Uncle Tom's Trail .

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Inspiration Point is one of the best spots to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone in all its glory. If you're short on time and wondering what to see on your first visit to the park and what to save for subsequent, longer tours, squeeze in Inspiration Point for sure.

Point Sublime is just a short mile-long nature walk with views that offer more of the Grand Canyon's details and brilliant shifts in color – a product of the area's rich geologic history and volcanic origins. It's especially thrilling to see steam rising up from small fumaroles on the canyon walls and along the banks of the river, suggesting just how much the Yellowstone landscape is a living, breathing thing, and how much activity is literally bubbling just out of view.

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Yellowstone Wildlife

Bison are everywhere in Yellowstone and you're sure to see some any time of year – possibly quite close, as they aren't shy about stopping traffic to cross the street or amble down the road at their own pace. While it's important to keep your distance, stay in your vehicle, and never, ever feed wildlife of any species, the chance to see one of North America's most iconic animals in its natural habitat is something special indeed. 

That said, there are many more animals to view in Yellowstone than just these fuzzy giants, and you'll be sure to see many visitors armed with telescoping lenses and binoculars who are hoping to get a glimpse of the park's permanent residents, including grey wolves, elk, moose, mountain goats, bears, lynx, coyotes, mule deer, foxes, otters, and wolverines.

Three Druid timber wolves on snow in Yellowstone

One of the best ways to see wildlife is to visit in the winter and take a tour on one of Yellowstone's snow coaches. The park's knowledgeable, close-knit team of guides are well-versed in where to find wildlife day-to-day and have the best shot at getting you where you need to be to catch a glimpse. Plus, they do the driving so you're free to keep your eyes peeled and your hands on your camera to catch thrilling split-second moments like foxes diving high in the air to "plonk" down on their prey.

Watching wildlife in Yellowstone National Park

USA, Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, woman walking on boardwalk at Lower Geyser Basin

Hiking and Backpacking

Yellowstone doesn't have quite the athletic reputation of parks like Yosemite, Arches, or Zion , which are practically synonymous with American rock climbing and canyoneering. But there's plenty in Yellowstone best seen from the trail or ski track to please outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels – just remember to pick up a backcountry camping permit if you'll be heading out on overnight.

Morning Glory Pool sits not far from the Upper Geyser Basin and is well worth adding a little extra perambulation. The colors are even more brilliant in person than in photos, set off by lush, muted stands of evergreens.

Lone Star Geyser  can be reached by hike, mountain bike or cross-country ski tracks – an outing which follows a picturesque section of the Firehole River to an impressive 45-foot high gusher that erupts roughly every three hours. Coincidentally, that's about long it'll take you to make the out-and-back if you're on foot.

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Bunsen Peak is a moderate to challenging hike of under five miles that's named for the same gent who invented the Bunsen burners you might have used in high school chemistry class. It offers expansive views of the northern part of the park around Mammoth Hot Springs – especially with the residual effects of the 1988 fires that swept through Yellowstone.

Electric Peak is a strenuous undertaking, spanning 20 miles of prime Yellowstone terrain and 3,808 feet of elevation gain and loss. Bring your bear bells and you'll be rewarded with panoramic views, fields of goldenrod, and glimpses of Yellowstone's varied geologic layers as you climb to the summit. You might even see a moose, especially if you turn this from a dawn-to-dusk day hike into a short backpacking trip.

The Black Canyon of the Yellowstone is a hard 13 miles, but it's full of adventurous details like a suspension bridge over the Yellowstone River, the cascade of Knowles Falls, and ancient rock slides. Follow in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt, early Yellowstone explorers, and even miners as you make your way to Eagle Creek Campground and back.

Insider’s guide to Yellowstone: where to trek and geyser gaze without the crowds

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Watersports in Yellowstone

You can't take your kayak out on Yellowstone's streams – fair enough, since half of them have well-earned names like the Boiling River . But you can paddle Yellowstone's lakes and ponds, including Yellowstone Lake, Lewis Lake, and Shoshone Lake . There's a lot to see that's well worth the upper body workout.

Anglers will be rewarded with abundant fish, including some species native to the park. Wildlife watchers will appreciate the opportunity to observe fauna on the shore without ending up in a bison jam or rubbing elbows with other visitors. And yakpackers have the unique ability to reach remote areas of the park not on foot, but one paddle stroke at a time.

You can book guided river rafting trips  out of Gardiner, Montana to shoot the Yellowstone River's rapids, kayak tours,   and even overnight paddle expeditions  if you don't have your own watercraft, or are traveling long-distance. You can also rent rowboats and outboards at Bridge Bay Marina, or a variety of watercraft from private companies outside the park.

The extra-adventurous can bring their dive gear and explore under the surface of Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin , and the Firehole River at Mystic Falls – all under-the-radar national park  scuba destinations .

Everything you need to know about paddling in Yellowstone National Park

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When to Visit

Yellowstone is open to visitors year-round, though it closes for two short shoulder periods a year to transition between seasons. Yellowstone generally closes between March through April each year to give crews time to plow the roads and prepare the park for peak season. The park also shuts down in September and October to winterize its infrastructure.

The most popular months to visit Yellowstone are July and August when families are on summer vacation and temperatures are the warmest. If you want to avoid significant crowds, it's better to come at the beginning or end of the summer season, though temperatures might be a little cooler. 

During the summer, weather in Yellowstone is warm and pleasant during the day, with highs in the 60s and 70s, but can still dip down into the 30s and 40s (Fahrenheit). It's always wise to pack layers and sunscreen, and to ere on the side of camping gear rated for lower temperatures.

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Winter in Yellowstone is criminally overlooked, with prime opportunities for viewing wildlife like bison, elk, foxes, weasels, and even the park's famous wolves. You'll also face next to no crowds, except around Christmastime, giving you ample opportunity for photos or simply soaking up the contrast of fire and ice uninterrupted. 

In winter, temperatures can hover around zero or below, though the low humidity makes it easy to layer warmly, especially if you're planning an active day of snowshoeing or skiing. Avoid cotton clothing in favor of wicking, insulating fabrics like silk, wool, or synthetic base layers, and make sure you have good socks and gloves. 

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Getting There and Getting Around

The easiest way to reach Yellowstone is by flying into one of the region's airports, including Jackson, Wyoming; Bozeman, Montana or Idaho Falls. Cody, Wyoming and Billings, Montana are also options. In peak season, you can also fly directly into West Yellowstone, Montana.

Bozeman is often the best deal and is a very fun college town with plenty to see and do on your way in and out. Grab a beer and a bite at Montana Ale Works if you have the chance. Meanwhile, Jackson, Wyoming has earned its outsize reputation as a mountain town worthy of a vacation in its own right – swing by Snake River Brewing if time allows, where you will run into everyone from young guns to backwoods mystics to thoughtful western old timers.

Driving a 1990 Land Cruiser through the Roosevelt Arch in Yellowstone National Park.

Highways 20, 191, 89, 212, and 14/16 all connect to or border Yellowstone National Park, depending on whether you're driving in from Montana, Idaho or Wyoming. You can make a road trip of reaching Yellowstone from Jackson by driving north through Grand Teton National Park. Another option is to drive west from Devil's Tower National Monument on the Wyoming/North Dakota border, or northeast from Craters of the Moon – which will give you a sense of just how much power the Yellowstone hotspot has packed in millennia past. 

Once you are within the park, there are a few main roads linking the five entrances to the park, including the Grand Loop Road, Norris Canyon Road, West Entrance Road, North Entrance Road, South Entrance Road, and East Entrance Road. The only road open in the winter months is the Grand Loop Road to 212 through Tower Junction between the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana and Cooke City Montana.  

Patience is a virtue, as in most popular national parks. Traffic can be slow in peak season when the park is most crowded, especially if there's a "bison jam" caused by tourists stopping int he middle of the road to snap photos of nearby wildlife. Keep calm and keep your eyes open – and don't forget to fill up at Yellowstone's handful of gas stations when you have the chance.

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Where to Stay

Summer lodging in yellowstone.

In summertime, you'll have your pick of accommodations from lodges to cabins to campgrounds and even yurts, with a wide range to choose from within each category depending on your style and what part of the park in which you'd prefer to be based.

Especially in peak season, you'll want to book accommodations well ahead of time, especially if you're hoping for a prime room in the Old Faithful Lodge or your pick of campsites. Yellowstone can book out months or even a year in advance, even in a year when travel has been curtailed by a global pandemic.

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The iconic Old Faithful Inn, completed in 1904, is a prime example of "parksitecture" and is a testament to over a century of Yellowstone Visitors, close to both Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin. The massive stone fireplace is a dreamy place to curl up after a long day of sightseeing, too.

The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is another gorgeous piece of Yellowstone history – parts of it date back to 1911, but most was built in 1936. The whole place was recently renovated, with chic updates to the guest bathrooms and many improvements made with sustainability in mind, like the recycled glass countertops. Don't miss a meal at the dining room across the street – the Elk Sliders with tarragon aioli are a treat, and the Bison Top Sirloin is especially memorable.

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Grant Village , constructed in the 1980s, is tucked away near both Yellowstone Lake and Grand Teton National Park on the southern side of YNP. Visitors will especially appreciate the stunning views from the Lake House Restaurant and Grant Village Dining Room .

Lake Yellowstone Hotel  was most recently updated in 2014, also with an emphasis on sustainability. The hotel swaps rustic charm for Colonial Revival glam and boasts some of the better internet connectivity in Yellowstone.

Canyon Lodge is the newest addition to the Yellowstone's collection of accommodations. This LEED-certified development gives you prime access to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone , and is a contemporary take on the classic parksitecture found at the Old Faithful Inn. 

11 sustainable ways to experience Yellowstone National Park

Elk roam streets, Mammoth, Yellowstone National Park, USA - 25 Sep 2016

Cabins and Cottages

Cabins and cottages are available throughout the park as well, with options at Lake Yellowstone, Lake Lodge, Canyon Lodge, Roosevelt Lodge, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and Old Faithful Lodge.

Cabins typically come with two options – those with their own baths including showers but not tubs, or those with sinks but shared bathroom facilities. The exception to this are the new Canyon Lodge Cabins, which have full bathrooms. The most historic is the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins, built in the 1920s near Tower Junction.

Distance Sign showing directions to features in Yellowstone National Park Wyoming USA

Campgrounds

Like other types of lodging, camping is available throughout Yellowstone at Madison Campground, Grant Village, Canyon Campground, and Bridge Bay Campground. 

RVs can be no longer than 75 feet to navigate Yellowstone's roads, but most campsites cannot accommodate rigs long than 40 feet. Be sure to read up on length limits when choosing a campsite in Yellowstone as they vary from campground to campground.  

Madison Campground and Canyon Campground the most conveniently located for seeing as many different areas of Yellowstone as possible. Grant Village is excellent for families and first-time campers, with easy access to the amenities at the nearby hotel. Canyon Campground and Bridge Bay are some of the most scenic places to camp. 

Rangers patrol the campgrounds frequently to make sure you're complying with bear safety protocols and other regulations – so be sure to read up ahead of time on safe food storage practices and use the provided bear lockers. You can purchase firewood at check-in, and campsites are typically equipped with fire rings and picnic tables, and space to park your car.

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Backcountry Camping 

While backcountry camping is currently closed due to COVID-19 , there are 300 sites within Yellowstone. Because Yellowstone is so rugged and remote, and because it's home to bears and other apex predators, it's important to have some backcountry experience before taking advantage of these sites, and to be well-versed in Leave No Trace principles . 

When there isn't a pandemic on, you can obtain permits within 48 hours of your visit from any of nine different ranger stations and visitor centers. Some can be reserved farther in advance, but are awarded by lottery starting April 1st from a running pool of reservation requests submitted by mail, fax, or in-person. 

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Winter Lodging in Yellowstone

In the winter months, Yellowstone operates limited facilities including the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. These are open from mid-December to the first of March. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel can be reached from Gardiner, Montana in private vehicles, but during the winter season the Old Faithful Snow Lodge can only be accessed by commercial snow coaches. 

While the Old Faithful Snow Lodge was built in 1999, its architecture is faithful to the period style of the neighboring Old Faithful Inn, and offers plenty of rustic romance. There are cozy fireplaces surrounded by welcoming club chairs, a bar and restaurant that turn out a delicious and varied menu (get the huckleberry pancakes), as well as ski and snowshoe rental onsite.

There's an ice skating rink just steps from the Snow Lodge entrance and in the evenings you can enjoy an outdoor fire pit – preferably after a tipple of MT 1889 Whiskey or a Big Sky Brewing's Moose Drool Brown Ale at the Firehole Lounge . If you get lucky, you might even spy some bison wandering just outside from the Geyser Grill dining room – they sometimes like to check out the Upper Geyser Basin themselves.

You might also like: The complete guide to Mammoth Cave National Park From stagecoach to motorcoach, a history of RVs in the USA Our top 10 picks for backpacking cooking gear

Make sure you're ready for anything with  travel insurance  from our trusted partners. Check out  adventure tours  for every traveler from our trusted partners.

This article was first published June 2020 and updated April 2021

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WE'RE THE RUSSOS

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Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary

5 Day Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary – The Best Way to Explore America’s 1st National Park

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One of the best ways to see America’s first national park is in an RV. Joe and I spent four days exploring Yellowstone National Park in a Class B RV with Charley the yellow lab. In this post, I share our five day Yellowstone RV trip itinerary including places to visit, where to camp and tips for planning your RV road trip.

Watch the videos below to see what it’s like to explore Yellowstone in an RV and some of the camping options inside and outside the national park.

5 Day Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary

Before we dive in, I want to mention that driving a Class B RV through Yellowstone is much easier than driving a small Class C RV or even something bigger. You will encounter narrow roads, tight parking lots and short narrow pull-outs for wildlife viewing and hiking trails.

Whether you’re taking your own RV to the park or taking a rental RV , the smaller the RV the better.

>>Use this link to Browse Yellowstone RV Rentals<<

Let’s get started planning your Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary!

Table of Contents

Day 1: Cody, WY

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Cody, Wyoming is a great place to start your Yellowstone RV road trip.

Plan to spend the day at Buffalo Bill’s Center of the West where you can fuel up on chuck wagon coffee, biscuits and beans before even stepping foot inside the center. There are five museums at the center including the Cody Firearms Museum and the Draper Natural History Museum which has exhibits on all the wildlife found in Yellowstone National Park. There is designated RV parking at the center.

Tip: Cody is also a good place to stock up on bear spray before you get to Yellowstone National Park. If you have the time to buy online, it will be less expensive than at a local outfitter or inside the national park. Bears aren’t the only concern as bison and elk can also be dangerous.

Night 1 Camping Options

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You can choose from a handful of RV parks in Cody, Wyoming or spend the night at Walmart like we did.

Learn more about Overnight RV Parking at Walmart

Day 2: Cody, WY to Yellowstone

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Drive Beartooth Pass to the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The views on highway 120, 296 and 212 are worth it especially of Granite Peak and Castle Mountain. We spotted a moose in Silver Gate, a two mile drive from the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone.

Depending on the time of year, check the road conditions for closures. There is limited to no cell coverage on parts of this drive so check before you leave. While we were in Cody, the North entrance was closed due to snow, but opened the next day.

Northeast Entrance has an oversized vehicle lane on the right for RVs and buses. Past the entrance is a sign with the status of every campground inside the park. If you do not have reservations, this is one place to check campground availability. Given the size of the park, by the time you arrive at the campground, it may be full.

Pets are allowed inside Yellowstone National Park in developed areas. You will not be able to bring your pet on any of the trails or boardwalks. Read the full pet policy on the park’s website .

Make your way to Mammoth Hot Springs via Tower Rosevelt. The earlier you start your day, the more time you’ll have to experience everything on this drive.

Barronette Peak overlook is a good spot to scan for Mountain Goats. We spotted several goats with babies on the hillside. They were difficult to see with the naked eyes, but we got to see them through a spotting scope.

Lamar Valley is a popular spot for wolf sightings. We saw a pack of wolves near Slough Creek. This area is also filled with bison and pronhorn.

Tip: There is Verizon LTE coverage in the Slough Creek area.

Trout Lake Trail is a short and easy 1.2 mile loop natural trail with beautiful views . The trailhead parking area is around 1.5 miles south of Pebble Creek Campground. Although it’s a short trail, it’s worth taking your time to enjoy the wildlife and the views. By the time we finished the trail, the sun was starting to set and we wanted to get to our dispersed camping spot before dark.

Night 2 Camping Options

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There are several campgrounds between the Northeast Entrance and North Entrance of Yellowstone. Check the NPS website for availability and status. Many of the campgrounds were closed during our visit.

Tip: For the best shot at a first come, first served campsite, arrive early in the morning. You can check online for status and availability or inquire at the park entrance.

If you cannot find accommodations in Mammoth Hot Spring, Grainer has a few RV park options. We found a great dispersed camping spot on NF 3243 using Allstays .

Tip: rent or bring a good pair of binoculars with you.

  • You can rent a Canon 10×42 at Yellowstone Forever in Gardiner. Rental rates start at $15 for 24 hours and the binoculars have to be returned to the same location.
  • You can also rent or buy Swarovski binoculars and spotting scopes through Optics Yellowstone in Gardiner by giving them a call 406-224-5277.

Day 3: Mammoth Hot Springs & Tower-Roosevelt

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Start your day at the Albright Visitor Center. It’s a great place to get information from rangers and volunteers as well as drop off your recycling and fill up your water bottles.

Parking in the Mammoth Hot Springs can fill up quickly especially if you are in a large RV. Arrive early to grab a spot and plan to keep your RV parked there until you’re done exploring the area. One of the benefits of taking a small RV to Yellowstone is more parking options.

See the Mammoth Hot Springs. The well maintained boardwalk offers great viewpoints of the various springs in the area. We spotted a bull snake and an elk on our walk.

Beaver Ponds Trail is a popular 5 mile loop that starts near Liberty Cap. Give yourself 2 to 3 hours to complete the trail through the forest to Beaver Pond. Unfortunately, the park rangers closed the trail when we arrived due to grizzly bears in the area.

Drive to Tower-Roosevelt to see Undine Falls and Wraith Falls. Undine Falls is a pull over area where you can walk a few steps down to see the falls. Wraith Falls is a short and easy trail to a beautiful waterfall. On the drive to Wraith Falls we saw a coyote after the car in front of us slammed on their brakes.

Tip: cars are more dangerous than wildlife. We had many close calls with cars coming to a sudden stop in front of us or crossing over the center line. Be extra careful when you’re driving an RV through Yellowstone.

Bear jams are a real thing. We experienced several on the drive to Tower-Roosevelt. Luckily, when Joe decided to pull over to make a cup of coffee the black bear and cubs came to us. What followed was a massive jam of bear proportions. We even came across an abandoned car in the middle of the road with all the doors open because the occupants ran outside to look at bears on the hillside.

Tip: give yourself more time than you think you need. From bear jams to construction inside the park, you will likely need more time to get from point a to point b.

Petrified Tree is on the way to Tower-Roosevelt area. Since we have been to Petrified Forest National Park , we decided to skip it and head to Tower Fall Trail.

Tip: there is decent Verizon cell coverage at Tower General Store. The speed is slow, but it’s good enough to check email. If you’re wondering why I am including cell coverage throughout this post, one of the main reasons is because we run our business on the road and need to have internet access .

Night 3 Camping Options

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Camp at Tower, Mammoth Hot Springs or drive back to Gardiner. Since Tower Campground and Mammoth Hot Springs were both full during our visit, we drove back out to the dispersed camping spot in Gardiner.

Day 4: Norris & Canyon Village

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Drive to Norris Campground as early as you can for a first come, first served campsite. While it’s great to enjoy dispersed camping in the national forest , Joe and I both wanted to maximize our time inside the park. Of course, if you are able to book a campsite in advance, you won’t need to wake up early like we did.

There is plenty of wildlife viewing between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geyser Basin. We spotted elks, cranes, swans, and goose on the drive to the campground. Many credible sources said grizzlies are in this area, but we did not see any during our visit.

See Yellowstone’s Tallest Active Geyser. Norris Geyser Basin is home to Steamboat Geyser and when it erupts, it can be four times the height of Old Faithful. Plan your time around a daily ranger talk at this geyser to learn more about it and when you an expect to see the next eruption.

Tip: there is limited RV parking at Norris with cars taking up some of the RV spots when the lot is full. Arrive early to save yourself the headache of trying to find a parking spot. Smaller RVs like vans can fit in the standard parking lot.

Explore the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone . There are several trails in the area where you can take in the views of the canyon.

  • Lookout Point for a view of the waterfall.
  • Grand View offers amazing views of the canyon.
  • Red Rock Trail offers a better view of the waterfall.
  • Brink of the Falls will get you up close and personal with the falls. If you only have time for one trail, I would recommend Brink of the Falls. It is a short and steep 3/8 mile trail out and back with an elevation change of 600 feet.

Mud Volcano is worth it. If you have the time, take the easy 2/3 mile trail to see Sour Lake, Churning Caldron, Grizzly Fumarole.

Look for Wolves in Hayden Valley. On the drive back to Canyon Village we saw a black wolf and bald eagle on the other side of Yellowstone River.

Refresh at Canyon Village. It’s day four and if you’re like us, you’re ready for a real shower (not an RV shower) with unlimited hot water. For less than $5 per person, you can get a real shower at Canyon Village and do your laundry. You can also stock up on essential items and get Verizon LTE service in this area.

Tip: If you are staying at Canyon Campground, your reservation comes with a voucher good for two showers per day.  

Night 4 Camping Options

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Camp at Norris, Madison or drive outside of the park to West Yellowstone, Montana. We really enjoyed Norris Campground and would highly recommend it if you are able to reserve a site there. Joe and I joked that we paid $20 for a parking spot since we didn’t spend anytime at the campground, but it was well worth it.

Tip: you can extend your first come, first served campsite at Norris by going to the campground office. The next morning, there was a long line of people waiting for a campsite to open up. Another reminder to arrive early if you do not have a reservation.

Day 5: Grand Prismatic Spring & Old Faithful

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See the Grand Prismatic Spring. This is the largest hot spring in Yellowstone with vibrant colors as a result of bacteria and algae in the water. As Joe said in the video above “seeing the array of colors and the steam rising from the spring was awe-inspiring.” Keep in mind, the colors vary depending on the time of the year.

Tip: the parking lot for Grand Prismatic Spring is quite small. There are pull outs past the parking area where you can leave your RV and take the walking path to the spring.

Finally Make Your Way to Old Faithful. The most well known geyer is worth seeing on your road trip through Yellowstone. Check the visitor center or ranger stations for estimated time of the next eruption.

Beehive is the Best Geyser in Upper Basin. While you’re waiting for the predictable Old Faithful to erupt, hang out at Beehive to see if you can catch an eruption. It’s our favorite geyser in the Upper Basin.

Tip: Verizon cell service is extremely slow in the Old Faithful area. The best cell signal we found inside Yellowstone is at Mammoth Hot Springs and Slough Creek.

Depending on what you want to do and see, you can always add more days to your Yellowstone RV Trip Itinerary. An event in Idaho cut our trip short, but we could have easily stayed for another two or three days.

Thanks for reading!

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6 thoughts on “5 day yellowstone rv trip itinerary – the best way to explore america’s 1st national park”.

Great tips. We spent 3 season working in Yellowstone and had our Roadtrek also. I would add more days as there are a couple of more geyser basins that should bee seen. Also I think visiting the visitor centers at Old Faithful and Canyon and Mammoth. Wealth of info to obtained. Also if overnighting in the park, there are several great Ranger talks to take in. It is just so huge. we worked 18 months and only scratched the surface. Enjoy what ever your time in YNP. It is truly WONDERLAND.

Thank you for sharing your Yellowstone recommendations.

Great post and great video! I was wondering what month of the year it was? That is exactly the type of landscape I am hoping for – snow on the mountains, but sunny days. Thank you!

We were there early June, good weather and not too crowded.

I have wanted to visit Yellowstone for a long time and this itinerary looks perfect – cheers for sharing!

Great tips on touring Yellowstone! Summer season has become overwhelming there so we time our visits in September. It’s still very busy but not as bad as the summer months.

There are great camping areas outside the west entrance in the Island Park areas just 25 miles into Idaho. The Henry’s Fork of the Snake river flows from its source at Big Springs and the area has abundant wildlife, elk, moose, antelope and an occasional bear or two. Lots of other off the beaten path things to do…explore the lava tubes, mine for opals or visit historical towns like Virginia City just over the border into Montana all a very short drive from Island Park and from West Yellowstone.

Keep those great travel tips coming and safe travels!

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Best Things to Do at the Yellowstone National Park

Best Things to Do at the Yellowstone National Park

I’m sure you’ve heard of Yellowstone and its most famous resident, Old Faithful, but if you haven’t seen it yet, this summer is a great time to mark it off your bucket list ! With dramatic peaks and pristine lakes, Yellowstone National Park is a hiker’s paradise.

Yellowstone National Park is Open!

Yellowstone National Park is Open

As of May 18th, Yellowstone is phasing out reopening after the pandemic, while some visitor services may stay limited for the 2020 season. See more updated information here .

Why Go To Yellowstone?

Why Go To Yellowstone

The park is indeed extraordinary: as you hike its 3,000-plus square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers, and waterfalls, you will surely meet buffalo, elk, and sometimes even grizzlies on your way.  Not only is it very unique, but Yellowstone also offers thousands of miles of untouched land from the northwest corner of Wyoming to the edges of Idaho and Montana.

Know Before You Go:

Know Before You Go

There’s an entrance fee

Entry to Yellowstone is $20 for visitors ages 16 and older who enter on foot or by bike, $30 for those arriving by motorcycle or snowmobile, and $35 per car. All park passes are valid for seven consecutive days. See more pricing information here.

Services are limited in winter months

The majority of Yellowstone’s facilities and roads close during the winter and don’t reopen until mid-May. Check more about road conditions and what’s open on their website .

Reserve your lodging or campsite early

Yellowstone is one of the top US summer destinations , so if you’re planning a trip, start thinking about your accommodations early on. You can rent a car a few weeks in advance, but hotels and campsites fill up quickly!

Beware of wild animals

While at Yellowstone, stay a safe distance from animals at all times. To avoid an attack, make plenty of noise when hiking to avoid surprise encounters, and secure any food items before leaving your campsite or going to sleep. The National Park Service suggests putting at least 100 yards between you and wolves and bears, and about 25 yards or more between you and all other wildlife.

Beware of wild animals

If you are hiking by yourself, make plenty of noise to warn animals of your presence and avoid exploring areas with low visibility since bears have bad eyesight. And yes, don’t forget bear spray .

Best Way to Get to Yellowstone

Best Way to Get to Yellow Stone

The best way to get to Yellowstone is by car. But if you can’t plan a road trip from your location, you should fly into one of the nearby airports (Billings, Salt Lake City, or Jackson WY) and rent a car. Yellowstone is pretty easy to drive and you can stop whenever you want!

How to Save Money in Yellowstone

How to Save Money in Yellowstone

  • Choose camping over staying at a lodge. A space in a campground is much cheaper than a room at one of the park’s lodges. Many campgrounds come equipped with showers, flushing toilets, and even laundry facilities. Use this camping packing list if you’re planning to camp!
  • Go in the off-season. Not only summer has many tourists, but the hotel and campground prices also go up (the whole supply-demand story). You can save money by going in the fall or spring.
  • Save on food. Yellowstone has a few restaurants, but they can get pretty expensive. Bring snacks for your hikes and cook at the campsite.
  • Buy a pass. If you’re planning a road trip and plan on seeing three or more National Parks, it will be best to pay $80 for an annual pass .

Best Things to Do in Yellowstone

Old faithful.

Old Faithful

Old Faithful is the world’s most renowned geyser and is a must-see for every Yellowstone visitor. Although it isn’t the tallest or the largest geyser in the world, its eruptions are breathtaking and averaging around 130 feet high. Like its name suggests, you can count on Old Faithful erupting approximately every hour and a half, which is one of the reasons it’s so popular. For a more accurate schedule, check with the nearby visitor’s center or online .

Travel Tip: If you watch the eruption in the recreation area , visit the historic Old Faithful Inn, a log hotel built in 1904. Join a tour of the hotel, or grab a snack from the Bear Paw deli and sit and gape at the multi-storied log lobby.

Location: Old Faithful is located west of Yellowstone Lake (easily accessible from the West Entrance) by Highway 191. Surrounding Old Faithful are several hotels, dining areas, and a visitor center.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Springs

Just a few miles from Old Faithful, in the Midway Geyser Basin, you should see the Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest and one of the most photographed hot springs in the park. Just look at it magnificent rainbow colors!

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Formed over thousands of years of erosion caused by wind, water, and other natural forces, this 20-mile canyon is one of the park’s most popular hiking spots. (If you’re planning a day hike or two here, check out my hiking printable packing list )!

Travel tip: Get to the canyon early in the day to avoid crowds and have the trail to yourself. How early? You can start right around sunrise and get amazing views

Location: The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is located about 40 miles southeast of Yellowstone’s North Entrance and roughly 15 miles northwest of Yellowstone Lake. Canyon Village, which features a visitor center, a lodge, and several dining facilities, can be found about 1 mile northwest of the canyon’s North Rim Trail.

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high elevation lakes in North America. While the water is too cold for swimming, you can enjoy a boat tour, kayaking, and canoeing.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

West Thumb Geyser Basin

Located along the shores of Yellowstone Lake, West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the main beauties in that half of Yellowstone National Park. There are some beautiful pools along the boardwalk, such as Collapsing Pool and Blue Funnel Spring, whose impressive pastel hue makes it an absolute stunner.

Mud Volcano

Alongside West Thumb Geyser Basin, Mud Volcano is the other major geyser area on the east half of Yellowstone National Park.

Lower Geyser Basin

Lower Geyser Basin

Yellowstone’s Lower Geyser Basin is a highly active geothermal area that is located halfway between the West Entrance and Old Faithful. For more information about this area, read a great blog post by Inger and Tor here .

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone

Best Time to Visit Yellowstone

The best months to visit Yellowstone National Park is from April to May and between September and October. These months offer nice weather and fewer crowds. July and August are the most popular, and while it’s convenient to visit during these months, you might end up like Nik and Dusty , cutting their trip short and writing negative reviews about one of the most unique places on earth. If you’re planning a summer trip, see more ideas to add to your road trip in my blog post of the best summer vacations in 2020 .

If you’re thinking about visiting the park during the winter, be prepared for really low temperatures and road closures. But hey, it can be done!

The park is truly magnificent, so here are a few more of my favorite pictures from the trip! Are you planning to go to Yellowstone? Please let me know in the comments below!

Mud Volcano Yellowstone

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Yellowstone sounds amazing. I had no idea that it had some many things to see and do. I am a solo traveller and given the amount of wildlife (bears), I wouldn’t attempt to hike alone. I would have to join a tour, but it sounds totally worth it!

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These are some really great travel tips for visiting the beautiful and historic Yellowstone National Park. I would really love to see that Grand Prismatic Spring in person. It looks spectacular!

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I’ve wanted to see the Spring since I was a kid! Its great to know that even the campgrounds have laundry facilities thats always a concern when I go camping.

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The idea of hiking around Yellowstone sounds so lovely right now! Your post is great inspiration for adventures to come when we can safely travel again!

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I agree with all of these suggestions. I loved Yellowstone. Don’t forget that Grand Teton is right next door.

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Thanks for such a comprehensive guide to Yellowstone! Will definitely keep all of this in mind when I get to visit one day 🙂

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I’m blown away by Yellowstone. It’s hard to imagine a place with mountains, canyons, hot spring, geysers and waterfalls. Old Faithful looks breathtaking and knowing that it is natural is mind-blowing. Then, there is Grand Prismatic Spring, a large hot spring? This place is simply amazing!

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Your photos are breathtaking, wow! Thanks for all the inspiration, can’t wait for your next article!

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Be sure to hit one, or all, of the top 10 things to do and see in Yellowstone country. There s Old Faithful and gray wolves, rodeos and powwows, horseback riding, rafting and so much more.

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Which Yellowstone Journey Is Right For You?

Yellowstone National Park

With so much to see and do in the park – and so many different experiences depending on the time of year – it can be a challenge to pick the right Yellowstone journey for you. But we’ve created this helpful guide to make it easier to choose between all five of our incredible Yellowstone adventures.

More Stories from Yellowstone

“it’s almost as if the park is your own.”.

Perfect for first-time visitors, our Yellowstone & Grand Tetons National Parks journey explores the grandeur of two national parks and brings the Old West to life.

“We are already planning our next one!”

This was shared by guest Dusty Rogers: “ Our Cowboy Country Tauck vacation was truly unforgettable. We didn’t just visit these places or look at these places, we experienced these places. When it rained we were happy for the Wyoming ranchers because we now knew how precious rain was for them. When we visited authentic dude ranches and learned the story of Johnson County we felt both their pain and their pride. We looked in awe at wonders like Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial because we had the opportunity to learn so much more about them through videos and our tour director on the coach while en route.

We were able to see, do, and learn more in one day on our Tauck trip than we’ve done on our self-planned vacations in one week. And then we did it again and again for seven days in a row. And the best part was, our days were full, but not exhausting. It’s incredible how much you can accomplish in one day thanks to everything being pre-planned and executed so flawlessly by Tauck! Each day there was still opportunities for rest, relaxation, or going off and doing things with just your family.

My family cannot recommend Tauck tours highly enough. It’s hard to find or plan a vacation that’s enjoyable and interesting for both adults and kids but Tauck’s family tours delivers. We are already planning our next one !” Dusty shares her adventures via her Instagram account, @allthingsgd

YY_Geyser

Yellowstone’s First Winter Traveler

Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns helped us create Wonderland: Yellowstone in Winter , sharing insights and stories about the park that make this trip more fascinating still. Listen in as Dayton tells the tale of Truman Everts, the park’s first winter traveler, and how his exploits led to the creation of America’s first national park.

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10 reasons to love yellowstone national park.

Yellowstone National Park was the first national park, so it is no surprise that it continually ranks as one of the 10 most popular national parks in the United States. In 2017, the park experienced its second busiest year on record with 4,116,525 visits (we contributed 5!). Over 90% of visitors arrive between Memorial Day and Labor Day!

Yes, the most popular areas of the park are busy and parking lots seem inadequate to accommodate the massive crowds during the summer months. However, Yellowstone still deserves a place on everyone’s bucket list. The wildlife and geothermal features are the main draws, but this park has so much to offer. We only had three days, but I am sure we could have easily spent weeks exploring the park and surrounding area!

These are some reasons why we know you’ll fall for Yellowstone National Park, too!

yellowstone national park itinerary

1) WEST THUMB GEYSER BASIN

Since we entered Yellowstone from the south entrance (via the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway), we made our first stop at the West Thumb Geyser Basin. Although not the most talked about spot in the park, this beautiful geyser basin on the shore of Yellowstone Lake is a must see. This area offers the largest collection of hydrothermal features by the lakeshore—some like the famous Fishing Cone can even be found in the lake!

West Thumb Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park

2)   OLD FAITHFUL

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park

Don’t let the crowds around Old Faithful scare you away. The boardwalks and trails that wind around Upper Geyser Basin lead to the world’s largest concentration of active geysers and hot springs. Our kids were amazed by the variety of geysers and the depth and color of many of the hot springs. The 1.4 mile walk out to Morning Glory Pool is a great way to distance yourself from the massive crowds. If you are lucky, you may see an eruption or two (or more!) on the way there!  It’s no wonder why this area made it to our list of the Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park .

Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park

3) MIDWAY GEYSER BASIN WITH GRAND PRISMATIC SPRING

A trip to Yellowstone National Park wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Midway Geyser Basin to view Grand Prismatic Spring. This rainbow-colored hot spring is one of the largest in the world and is striking! Sadly, the Fairy Falls trail was closed at the time of our visit, so we could only view Grand Prismatic from the boardwalk. However, the new Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook trail is an easy hike to a viewing platform looking down on the Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin. We have a feeling this new trail will be a popular spot after last year’s closure, and since parking is limited at the Fairy Falls trailhead. No matter how you choose to view this popular hot spring, plan to pack your patience—for the busy parking lots and the crowds of people on the boardwalks.

Grand Prismatic in Yellowstone National Park

4) GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE

Plan to spend at least a couple of hours in the Canyon area of the park and be prepared to be amazed! The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, carved by the mighty Yellowstone River, is 20 miles long. This place is so amazing and picturesque, you will want to take the time to visit both North and South Rims and get photos from a variety of viewpoints. The South Rim Drive leads to the famed Artist Point with views of the Lower Falls.  This was our first stop in the area.  The canyon walls look surreal in pastel shades of yellow and pink. The falls are beautiful even at a distance.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Artists Point

However, if you are up for some exercise and 328 steps, take the time to do Uncle Tom’s trail for a close-up view of the Lower Falls! Since the parking area for Uncle Tom’s Trail was closed at the time of our visit, we enjoyed the hike along the canyon from Artist Point to the trailhead. This trail is not very crowded and offers views of the canyon the entire way.

Yellowstone Falls in Yellowstone National Park

North Rim Drive leads to trails and viewpoints including Brink of the Lower Falls, Red Rock, Lookout Point and Grand View. All are short in distance but some trails like Brink of the Lower Falls and Red Rock are steep, so you’ll have a bit of a climb to get back up. You’ll want to witness the power and feel the spray as the water runs downriver and then plunges over the 308 feet drop, so we highly recommend you put on your walking shoes and take the trail to the Brink of the Lower Falls. Lookout Point was crowded with people vying for the best place to take a photo, so we recommend hiking down the less busy Red Rock trail.

Yellowstone River

5)  ARTISTS PAINTPOTS

Located between Madison and Norris, the 1.1-mile Artists Paintpots trail is an easy way to view a variety of geothermal features without the crowds. This loop trail is a combination of dirt and boardwalk. Climb the steps to reach the paint pots situated on the hillside and to see the view from the top. Looking down from this upper portion of the trail yields beautiful views of the hydrothermal basin below and the pine forest to the north. The day we visited, the stormy skies behind Mount Holmes created a dramatic backdrop for photos!

Aritsts Paint Pots in Yellowstone National Park

6)   NORRIS GEYSER BASIN

Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest and most acidic hydrothermal area in Yellowstone. It is also the location of the world’s tallest active geyser, Steamboat Springs. The variety of colors found in the hot springs are evidence of minerals in the water as well as a wide variety of thermophiles (heat-loving microorganisms) that thrive here. The boardwalks around Porcelain Basin were our favorite of the two areas to explore with the milky silica saturated pools and the variety of colors in the bacterial mats around many of the pools. If you have more time, explore the forested Back Basin loop where thermal features are more scattered.

Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park

7)   MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS

You think you’ve seen it all, as far as hot springs go, until you see the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. It looks like you are on another planet! When hot water from the springs rises through the limestone which underlies the Mammoth area, the mineral calcium carbonate is dissolved. It is then deposited at the surface forming the white travertine terraces. Features here are always changing! It is worth taking the time to wander around the boardwalks of the Lower Terraces and Upper Terraces. We explored the area on a rainy summer evening with no crowds. We’ve heard this can be a very, hot area on a summer day due to the lack of shade, so I guess lucked out!

Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park

8)  MUD VOLCANO

If you can deal with the pungent sulfur odor (not sure our children will every forget it!), you should check out Mud Volcano . The boardwalk loop here winds through a bizarre landscape with turbulent, muddy pools and steaming vents. Names like Dragon’s Mouth Spring, Grizzly Fumarole, Sour Lake, and Cooking Hillside aptly describe the features. Be warned: bison frequent this area. They will walk on the boardwalks and wherever they choose, so be safe and do not approach them. We backtracked the entire distance of the trail since three blocked our access to the parking lot at the end of the loop. Better safe than sorry!

Mud Volcano Yellowstone National Park

9)  WILDLIFE

Yes, the geothermal features and waterfalls are impressive, but the abundance and assortment of wildlife attract just as many visitors. Yellowstone National Park is home to more wild animals than almost anywhere else in the United States. Large herds of bison, elk and groups of pronghorn graze and roam free, often along the side of the road. Lamar and Hayden Valleys are two spots where you’ll see the most wildlife and the least number of tourists. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts line the pullouts with spotting scopes scanning the valleys for signs of wolves, black and grizzly bears, and other wild animals. We never saw any wolves, but we hear the best time to spot them is at dawn. If you don’t mind waking early, maybe you’ll get lucky!

If you happen to be lucky enough to be heading to Yellowstone National Park in the winter, before your trip you’ll want to be sure and check out Donna and Alan’s blog (from “My Itchy Travel Feet”) on how to visit Lamar Valley in the winter . The photos are amazing, and the information is a “must read” before you go.

Bison, Yellowstone National Park

10) SCENIC DRIVES

If you’re planning to explore many of the features already mentioned, at a minimum, you’ll have to drive on the western side of Grand Loop Road. Although the entire figure eight could be driven in a day, we don’t recommend seeing the park this way. Take the time to enjoy exploring, hiking and driving through this amazing park. It is best broken into sections because it is so large, and there’s so much to see and do! Three scenic drives stand out in our minds and you’ll want to be sure to do all of them—Lamar Valley (and east all the way to the northeast entrance station), Dunraven Pass and Hayden Valley. If you have time to venture outside the park, we highly recommend taking the time to drive on the Beartooth Highway up to Beartooth Pass . It’s not in the park, you’ll regret if you miss this drive!

Beartooth Pass

MORE REASONS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

If you have more time, here are some other activities that we suggest:

  • DAY HIKING (There are more than 900 miles of hiking trails! If you are looking to get off the beaten path, get on your hiking shoes and explore the more remote areas of Yellowstone. Be sure to carry bear spray!)
  • RAFTING (Feeling adventurous? Take an unforgettable rafting trip down the Yellowstone River! We used the Flying Pig Adventure Company in Gardiner, MT. The guides are friendly, funny, and generally amazing.)
  • RANGER PROGRAMS
  • FISHING  (and if you are fishing, make sure you check out Steph’s blog (from Camping Cooks) on some terrific fishing and cooking tips !)
  • HORSEBACK RIDING

Yellowstone National Park is and will continue to be one of the most visited national parks in the US. With this in mind, we can’t stress how important it is to plan ahead and make reservations when possible.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK FROM JUST GO TRAVEL STUDIOS

  • Yellowstone National Park hikes and sights are highlighted in our 18+ page itinerary for Yellowstone National Park .
  • Our son wrote up a blog post on Yellowstone National Park in 2017-check out what his perspective was on the area as well!
  • One of the must-do trails in Yellowstone is the Mud Volcano Trail .  Another great trail is Uncle Tom’s Trail . We also put together a full list of the Best Hikes in Yellowstone National Park .  Check out our blogs to see what to expect! 
  • Yellowstone National Park was highlighted in our blog post on 7 Family Friendly Hikes in U.S. National Parks .
  • Nearby Beartooth Pass was highlighted in a recent blog post by our son Andrew.
  • To experience similar wildlife as Yellowstone but with a calmer, more relaxed (and less crowded setting), check out Custer State Park in South Dakota. We cover this in our blog six reasons why you'll fall in love with Custer State Park .

ADDITIONAL GREAT HIKES IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Yellowstone National Park has a ton of hiking opportunities that weren’t highlighted above.  There are hikes that are great for all skill levels.  A few that you might want to check out include:

Grant Village, Old Faithful and Madison Areas:

  • The Fountain Paint Pot Trail is an easy 0.5-mile jaunt on a boardwalk. It travels alongside geysers, mud pots and springs.  This is a great place for picture, although it is crowded.
  • The Geyser Hill Trail is on the backside of Old Faithful. There is a slight elevation gain on this 1.3-mile trail, but it provides an elevated view of the Geyser Basin, which is different than the typical boardwalk trail.   
  • For a walk that includes waterfalls, take the Gibbon Falls Trail. Starting about 4 miles east of Madison, this 0.6-mile trail is quieter than other trails and includes a waterfall.

Canyon Village, Fishing Bridge, Lake Village and Bridge Bay Areas:

  • The challenging Mount Washburn trail is 7.3-miles and starts just north of Canyon Village. Though this will take you about 4 hours, it has great views from over 10,000 feet in elevation from a lookout tower.
  • The Natural Bridge Trail provides an easy 2.5-mile trek. This hike is not on a boardwalk, which means that it will likely be less crowded than many other trails.  The hike leads to a natural bridge, which is worth checking out if you have the time.

Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt Areas:

  • The Tower Falls Trail starts just south of Tower Junction. After a 308 ft. elevation gain, the trail leads to a 132 ft. waterfall.
  • The Beaver Ponds Loop Trail is a moderate hike that travels through open land before coming upon two beaver ponds. This trail heads right to the Montana border and is about 5.6 miles long.  Plan on the hike taking you almost 3 hours, unless you are a fast walker!
  • The Trout Lake Trail is an easy 1.1-mile hike that Is great to stretch your legs if you are visiting the Lamar Valley. It passes through an old-growth forest and has only 200 feet elevation gain.

CAMPING IN AND AROUND YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

There are a ton of campgrounds inside of Yellowstone , but there are also a ton of people!  If you plan on camping, reservations are recommended, and these are the campgrounds that take reservations:

  • Near to Yellowstone Lake is the Bridge Bay Campground . In addition to boat rentals and access to boat launches, this campground has terrific views easily accessible from the campsites. 
  • The Canyon Village Campground is centrally located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The wooded campground is not anything special, but the location makes a fantastic base for exploring the park.
  • The Fishing Bridge RV Park has only sites for RV’s since it is has frequent bear sightings.
  • Nearby the Madison River is the Madison Campground , which has great access to the Old Faithful area.
  • The Grant Village Campground has sites for tents and RV’s and is near the West Thumb Geyser Basin.

If you are not able to get a reservation at one of the above campgrounds, don’t fret.  Drop in early in the morning to try to get a spot (they fill up fast) or stop by at one of these first-come, first-served campgrounds:

  • The Indian Creek Campground is a small campground that is located near Mammoth Hot Springs.
  • Just north of the South Entrance is the Lewis Lake Campground . This campground is usually one of the last to fill up since it is in a remote part of the park.  However, give it a shot if the others are full.
  • The only campground open year-round is the Mammoth Hot Springs Campground . The campground is located just south of the North Entrance with great views.
  • Other popular campgrounds include the Norris Campground (near the Norris Geyser Basin), Pebble Creek Campground (with amazing views of the Absaroka Mountains and nearby fishing), the small and remote Slough Creek Campground (in the Lamar Valley) and the Tower Fall Campground near the beautiful Dunraven Pass.

Further detailed information on camping in Yellowstone can be found on the National Park site.  This includes information on when the campgrounds have filled up in the recent days, which is especially useful. 

Outside the park, the best options for camping are as follows:

  • Gardiner, MT is just north of the northern entrance.
  • Grand Teton National Park is nearby, and also offers camping (though this can be tough to come by as well).

LODGING IN AND AROUND YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Unlike many national parks, there are plenty of options for lodging inside of Yellowstone.  Rooms fill up fast and picking the best place to stay can be challenging.  If you are staying in the park for more than a couple of days, we highly recommend seeking out multiple locations to help ease the driving time.  Some of the highlights of the park lodges include:

  • Old Faithful Area: Near Old Faithful, there are three options. The Old Faithful Inn is the most well-known, largest and most impressive location (with a lobby that should be visited whether or not you stay there!).  The Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Old Faithful Lodge are also good options, with the Snow Lodge being a bit more removed from the crowds than the others. The downside of these locations is that they are both near the most crowded part of the park.
  • Grant Village Area: The no frills Grand Village Lodging is an option here, but it is nothing spectacular. It is on the eastern side of Yellowstone Lake.
  • Northern Yellowstone Lake Area: The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is an impressive colonial-style building with a distinctly upper-scale feel. The nearby cabins are also a good option and less pricy.  This area of the park is much quieter than the Old Faithful area.  While a good place to stay, you should be aware that you will have to drive a fair bit to get to most parts of the park.
  • Canyon Junction Area: The Moran Lodge is brand new (opened in 2017) and has the cleanest and most up-to-date feel of any of the accommodations in the park. The Canyon Lodge and Cabins are also good options.  This area is a fantastic home-base, as it is located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 
  • Tower Junction Area: The Roosevelt Lodge has small cabins. This is a good location for visiting the Lamar Valley and fairly close to Mammoth Hot Springs, but we recommend the Canyon Junction area instead, just due to the amount of facilities in Canyon Junction.
  • Mammoth Hot Springs Area: The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel provides a great place to stay if you are entering the park at night or if you plan on spending the better part of a day in the area before heading out.

Reservations for inside-the-park lodging are highly recommended.  Details on reservations are available here .

The disadvantage of staying outside the park is simply the distance you’ll have to drive to get into the park.  However, there are several good options to consider:

  • Gardiner, MT is a fantastic place to stay as it is only about 15 minutes from Mammoth Hot Springs. This “out of the movies” town has a great character, plenty of services and quite a few lodging options.  You can also easily find a variety of good restaurants.
  • Grand Teton National Park has plenty of options but can also fill up quickly.
  • West Yellowstone, MT, has a ton of options. Be advised, though, that this is near the most popular entrance to the park so lines into the park can be long.

WHEN TO GO AND WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

While not near any particular airport, there are a few options for flights.  The nearest airport is Jackson, WY, which is about 2 hours to the south (and you will get to go through Grand Teton National Park on the way). 

You can read all about how to plan your trips into the area by air in our blog, the Nearest Airports to Yellowstone National Park .

Yellowstone is open year-round, with most of the 4+ million visitors coming in the months of May through October (with June through August being the busiest).  Be prepared for crowds during the summer, for sure.  Wintertime is a very special season, with the park quieting way down and giving visitors a completely different look at the landscape and animal behavior.  The fall elk mating season offers great wildlife viewing, particularly around the Mammoth Hot Springs area.

The temperatures in the park average just over 70 degrees in the summer, though temps can soar much higher.  Bring a jacket, though, as the temperatures routinely get below 40 degrees at night, even in the summer.

WHAT ELSE TO DO WHEN VISITING YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 

With over 2 million acres, there is a ton to explore inside of Yellowstone National Park.  However, if you are like many of us, you’ll want to try to couple your trip with a few other nearby wonders of nature.  Here are a few suggestions:

  • Grand Teton National Park is located to the south by only about 50 miles, and really is a must-do. If you haven’t been to this park, it is phenomenal.  The variety of scenery as compared to Yellowstone is impressive, and the massive mountains will take your breath away.  Be prepared to spend a few days in this park as well.
  • Glacier National Park is a little more challenging to get to, as it is a day’s drive north of Yellowstone. Many people make Glacier the only destination on a vacation, as it is easy to spend up to a week exploring this park.
  • Devil’s Tower National Monument is a good place to visit on the way to or from Yellowstone and it located about 400 miles to the east.
  • There is a ton to explore in and around Jackson, WY. If you come in the winter, be ready for some of the nation’s best skiing.  Summertime is fantastic as well, especially if you like to hike or raft.
  • The Beartooth Pass offers a spectacular daytime drive and is about an hour west of Yellowstone’s eastern entrance (near the Lamar Valley).

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR VISIT

  • One of the best items that we purchased ahead of our visit was the GyPSy Guide for Yellowstone National Park . This app is available for both iPhones and Android devices.  Essentially, this app is like a personal tour guide in your car.  As you come upon various spots in the park (actually, many spots!) the app will provide you with information not readily available anywhere else.  It really is fantastic and worth checking out.
  • We have learned over the years that having a good hiking map that shows the landscape is great-not just for hikes, but also for spotting various landmarks. Our favorite series are the waterproof maps from National Geographic, like the Yellowstone National Park map . 
  • Our favorite water bottle is not a bottle at all, but rather the Platypus Hydration bladder . This goes right in your backpack, carries a ton of water and is easy to clean.  They have sizes for kids as well.
  • While our itineraries offer a ton of information, hiking details are best found in books such as the Falcon Guide for Yellowstone .
  • Finally, you should know that the bugs in and around Yellowstone can be bad. Our favorite bug spray is the Yaya Squito Ban .  It is organic and works great!

custom national park poster

OTHER USEFUL LINKS ON YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

  • Ahead of your trip it’s really useful to know what to spend on your trip. Budget Your Trip has a great post on how much you can expect to spend on a trip to Yellowstone National Park as well as a bunch of other vacation spots in the world!
  • If you love waterfalls, check out this blog by Photo Jeepers: 7 Fabulous Yellowstone Waterfalls
  • Traveling with kids? Here are some travel tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park with kids from We3Travel.
  • Need information where to stay? This blog by Bearfoot Theory provides some great camping and lodging options in Yellowstone National Park .
  • If you are planning for Yellowstone and also like to listen to podcasts, the series of Yellowstone Planning Podcasts from Everybodys National Parks is outstanding!

Yellowstone National Park

About Just Go Travel Studios

We are Amy & Pete Brahan. Very simply, we are passionate about our National Parks and Public Lands and explore them with our three kids whenever we can.

As much as we enjoy traveling, we also love sharing our knowledge and helping others create everlasting memories through our custom-made travel posters , downloadable travel itineraries and detailed blog articles .

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6/20 we plan on driving the loop and staying in Gardiner until 6/24.

6/24 we will drive to West Yellowstone and stay until 6/26 when our flight leaves from Jackson Hole.

Is this a good plan? This is my mom's dream trip and she wants to see Lamar Valley (and any animals she can) first and foremost. Secondly, we want to see Old Faithful and any other stops we can make.

6 replies to this topic

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Bison of course can be seen all day long and I'm sure your mom would love to get stuck in a bison jam. Also the road from Mammoth to Tower has a lot of Black Bears at most any time of the day.

And of course staying in West Yellowstone will give you plenty of opportunity to see Old Faithful . Have you consider staying at Old Faithful? If rooms are sold out now keep checking as cancellations come up all the time. Others on this site will be able to help you in more detail I'm sure. You will have a great time.

6/19 Jackson

6/20-21-22-23 Gardiner

6/24 West Yellowstone or Old Faithful

6/25 GTNP or Jackson

6/26 fly out 2 pm

travel blogs yellowstone national park

I've got an obvious bias but you're flying into Grand Teton National Park and you're not even going to allot one single FULL day for GTNP?

With "Jackson Hole" are you just thinking of the town of Jackson, WY or the actual Valley of Jackson Hole which among other things contains the entirety of Grand Teton National Park?

However much time you spend in Yellowstone if you make the wise decision to try and get In Park Lodging don't forget to PACK a BIG cooler and dry box given the more often than not disappointing or worse food options in Yellowstone. There are a very few worthy of consideration so get some recommendations from thBergs, Pam, and Deb for YNP and "border" towns. Take advantage of the world class dining destination that Jackson/the Westbank is and the generally good if not great food in GTNP.

What are you two thinking of doing? I encourage you to think about some hiking, a scenic float trip between Deadmans Bar and Moose, and other far more immersive experiences than just driving from one roadside attraction to another. Unless there are some as yet unknown limitations Mom is young by our baby boomer standards.

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Yellowstone National Park Hotels and Places to Stay

  • 2024 Trip Reports
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  • Older Trip Report Links
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travel blogs yellowstone national park

travel blogs yellowstone national park

Epic Guide to Yellowstone National Park

C omplete guide to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Everything you need to know to plan an epic trip to this amazing national park including lodging, camping, things to do, history, wildlife, and information on the local area. 

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park was created by the United States Congress and President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. Yellowstone is located in the United States, mainly in the state of Wyoming, although it extends through Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone, the first national park in the United States,  is also widely considered the oldest national park in the world.

About Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is located above the caldera of the largest volcano in America, very alive but without an eruption since 640 000 years ago. Because of that, it has numerous geothermal phenomena, especially the Old Faithful geyser , one of its most popular attractions. It is famous for its diversity in fauna, due to the fact that hunting of any kind has been prohibited for over  150 years.

The main road in the park is the 142-mile Grand Loop Drive, with upper and lower loops, forming a rough figure eight in the center of the park. On the undulating Yellowstone Plateau, you cross the Continental Divide twice, both with signs showing the elevation at the Continental Divide 8391 feet and 8262 feet.

On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses Grant signed into existence Yellowstone as the world’s first national park. This 2.2 million acres of wilderness covers three states including Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, and was set aside“For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.”

Today, you can see these famous words as they are written on the Roosevelt Arch, the rock arch entrance as you enter from the north in Garnier, Montana. 

There is just a special feeling driving through the arch as you read these words. You know that you have entered a special place, a place of unspoiled beauty, iconic western scenery, and the birthplace of something truly special, the U.S. National Park System. Perhaps America's best idea yet.

Is Yellowstone National Park worth visiting?

Yes! Yes! Yes! How many times can I say yes? 

At nearly 12,000 square miles, it has an amazing variety of sights to offer, whatever your interests.

Where else in the world can you find geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and other signs of hot geothermal activity, with snow-capped mountain peaks close by, huge meadows dotted with bison, elk, and mule deer, rivers steaming as hot springs empty into them, waterfalls and a canyon, all in one park?

History of Yellowstone National Park

The Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field resulted from three volcanic eruptions that spanned two million years.

The first cycle occurred over two million years ago and it created the Island Park Caldera. The second cycle happened approximately one million years later and it formed the Henry’s Ford caldera situated west of the first caldera.

The third cycle, which occurred 640,000 years ago, shifted to the Yellowstone Plateau and formed the caldera which is present today.

In Yellowstone, traces of human presence have been found, dating back at least 11,000 years. In the 1950s, construction work on the Gardiner Post Office uncovered a projectile from the Clovis culture.

In 1806, John Colter, who was a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, left his fellow travelers to join with a group of trappers led by Manuel Lisa. Under his orders, Colter was sent to explore the upper reaches of the Yellowstone River.

He was probably the first European to have visited this region and come into contact with the Amerindian tribes.

In 1869, the Folsom expedition ascended the Yellowstone River to Yellowstone Lake. It was the first to provide a detailed description of the Yellowstone region.

In 1870,  Montana  residents also organized an expedition (the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition ), led by surveyor Henry Washburn and involving Nathaniel P. Langford and an army detachment, commanded by Lieutenant Gustavus Doane.

For a month, they studied the region, collected numerous specimens, and christened several places. Cornelius Hedges, a writer, and lawyer from Montana participated in the Washburn expedition. Between 1870 and 1871, the newspaper Helena Herald published several articles that detailed his observations.

He was one of the first, with the governor of Montana, Thomas Francis Meagher, to propose making the Yellowstone a protected national park.

In a letter of 1871, addressed to Ferdinand Hayden by Jay Cooke, the latter claimed that his friend, Senator William D. Kelley had suggested creating a law that would make Yellowstone a public park.

Hayden led a second and more important expedition, financed this time by the Government. He wrote a full report on Yellowstone, illustrated with photographs by William Henry Jackson, 33, and illustrations by Thomas Morgan, which made the US Congress protect this region.

On March 1, 1872, US President Ulysses Grant signed the decree creating the "Yellowstone National Park" in order to create a place "free of commercial exploitation, dedicated to the satisfaction of the people." The Hayden Valley takes its name from this geologist.

In order to mitigate the insufficiency of means to protect the national park, between 1886 and 1918 its administration was entrusted to the Army but On October 31, 1918, the Army ceded control of Yellowstone to the National Park Service.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a 146 miles road with an "8" shape was built connecting the most interesting points of the park.

Between 1933 and 1941, the Civil Conservation Corps built the tourist information centers, the campsites, and most of the current roads.

In 1959, a powerful earthquake struck west of Yellowstone on Hebgen Lake and damaged the roads and facilities of the national park.

On October 26, 1976, Yellowstone Park was declared an international biosphere reserve alter on September 8, 1978, it was integrated into the  UNESCO world heritage .

But in 1995, this Committee placed it on the list of endangered world heritage areas. The poor quality of the water, the tourist crowds, and the use of snowmobiles were other reasons for concern.

Following the efforts of the federal government, the situation has improved and in July 2003 the park was removed from the list of endangered areas.

During the dry summer of 1988, some fires caused by lightning devastated 36% of the surface of the park, 783,880 acres, and the most affected part was North Fork.

Today, the National Park Service intentionally causes fires, circumscribed to certain areas already studied in advance, to prevent a catastrophe like the one of 1988.

Things to know before your visit to Yellowstone National Park

The park is open year-round but many features are closed in the winter. 

Entrance fee  

A fee is charged for entry to the park, with a 7-day permit available. The permit provides access to all areas of Yellowstone National Park, as well as nearby Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone Entrance Fee - Private Vehicle - $35

Yellowstone Entrance Fee - Motorcycle - $30

Yellowstone Entrance Fee - Hiker/Biker - $20

Yellowstone Annual Pass - $70

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on  REI.com  and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Free Entrance Days - Check out the 5 days during the year that entrance fees are waived. 

Learn more about  National Parks Passes !

Time Zone  

MST- Mountain Standard Time

Pets  

Pets are allowed in Yellowstone NP but they must be on a leash at all time.

Please remember that there is a ton of wildlife in Yellowstone and they may be attracted to your pet.

Keeping your pet on a leash helps to keep them safe during your visit.

Leashes cannot be longer than 6 feet in length. You are responsible for cleaning up after your pet.

Pets are not allowed on any park trails or in the park backcountry. Pets are not considered pack animals.

Cell Service

We have had fairly good service in the park especially on the main roads. There are definitely parts of the park where cell phone service is not available or there may be a intermittent cell signal. 

The park remains open year-round, with the operating hours for the visitor centers depending on the time of the year.

Wi-Fi may be available at the park visitor centers. 

Insect Repellent

It is always a good idea to bring insect repellent with you. We use permethrin bug spray that can be applied to your clothes before you leave for your trip.  

Water Bottle  

Make sure to bring your own water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

There are large parking lots available near Old Faithful. 

Other attractions in the park have smaller parking lots and can be difficult to find parking.

If you are planning to visit Midway Geyser Basin to explore Grand Prismatic Spring you can almost guarantee having to wait for a parking spot.

Food/Restaurants

There are multiple restaurants and fast service counters within Yellowstone.

Canyon Lodge -  Eatery, Falls Café, Ice Creamery, M66 Grill 

Canyon General Store - 60s-style burger counter and ice cream counter

Washburn Lodge - Washburn Lookout (snacks and drinks)

 Grant Village Lodge - Dining Room, Lake House at Grant 

Grant Village General Store - Snack bar and ice cream counter

Lake Hotel and Cabins - Lake Hotel Dining Room, Lake Hotel Deli, and alcohol bar

Lake Lodge and Cabins - Cafeteria

Lake General Store - Snack bar and ice cream counter

Fishing Bridge General Store - Snack bar and ice cream counter

Bridge Bay Marina Store - Snack bar

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins -  Mammoth Hotel Dining Room, Terrace Grill,  Map Room Bar

Mammoth General Store - Snack bar and ice cream counter

Old Faithful Inn - Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Bear Paw Deli, Bear Pit Lounge

Old Faithful Snow Lodge - Obsidian Dining Room, Geyser Grill, Coffee counter, 

Old Faithful Lodge -  Cafeteria, Bake Shop, Lobby Snack Shops, Ice cream counter

General Stores (Upper and Lower) - Store Soda Fountain

Roosevelt Lodge - Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, Old West Dinner cookout

Tower Fall General Store - Snack bar and ice cream counter

There are gas stations located near Old Faithful, Grand Village, Fishing Bridge, Canyon, Tower/Roosevelt Junction, and Mammoth Hot Springs.

National Park Passport Stamps

National Park Passport stamps can be found in the visitor center.

Make sure to bring your  National Park Passport Book  with you or we like to pack these  circle stickers  so we don't have to bring our entire book with us. 

Yellowstone NP is part of the 2022 Passport Stamp Set , was the national stamp in the 1989 Passport Stamp Set , and in the 1988 Passport Stamp Set as part of a collage of parks. 

Large Vehicles

There are several large parking lots at the main attractions but will prove difficult on many other roads and smaller parking lots. 

Electric Vehicle Charging

Public EV charging stations are now available in a number of park locations.

The stations are Level 2, and provide 208/240 volt electric service. Charging takes about 4 hours from empty to full. 

Yellowstone Forever , the park’s official nonprofit partner, installed one of the public charging stations at their headquarters and retail store at 308 E Park St. Gardiner, Montana 59030.

Yellowstone National Park Lodges, the authorized concessioner operating the park’s hotels, has installed public charging stations near several of the park hotels:

Mammoth Hot Springs : In front of the Haynes PhotoShop; and behind the Northwest corner of the Mammoth Hotel.

Old Faithful: At the Old Faithful Lodge Cabins (Lower Loop), outside of Shower house 1.

Canyon Village:  In front of both Rhyolite and Washburn lodges.

Lake Village:  In front of Teal employee dorm.

West Entrance/ West Yellowstone MT:  The Gray Wolf Inn and Suites, 250 S Canyon St., and the Holiday Inn, 315 W Yellowstone Ave, West Yellowstone, MT 59758. Tesla stations are also located in West Yellowstone.

Details about Yellowstone National Park

Size - 2,219,790 Acres

Yellowstone NP is currently ranked at 8 out of 63 National Parks by Size . 

The Yellowstone National Park covers an area of 2,219,790 acres that includes lakes, canyons, rivers, and mountain ranges, Yellowstone Lake being the largest mountain lake in North America.

Date Established  

Yellowstone National Park was created by the United States Congress and President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872.

Visitation  

In 2020, Yellowstone NP had 3,806,306 park visitors.

In 2019, Yellowstone NP had 4,020,288 park visitors. 

Yellowstone is one of the top ten most visited National Parks in the United States. 

Yellowstone National Park Address

2 Officers Row

Yellowstone National Park Headquarters

Yellowstone National Park, WY.82190

Yellowstone National Park Map

If you want to check out a detailed map of the park you can purchase a trails illustrated map which highlights 1,000 miles of mapped trails and the main attractions within the park. 

They also sell a Yellowstone map pack that includes:

  • Map 302 :: Old Faithful: Yellowstone National Park SW
  • Map 303 :: Mammoth Hot Springs: Yellowstone National Park NW
  • Map 304 :: Tower, Canyon: Yellowstone National Park NE
  • Map 305 :: Yellowstone Lake: Yellowstone National Park SE

Every Trails Illustrated map is printed on "Backcountry Tough" waterproof, tear-resistant paper. 

Where is Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is about a seven-hour drive north of Salt Lake City, three hours from Jackson, and very close to the town of West Yellowstone.

Estimated distance from major cities nearby

Gardiner, MT - Borders the north entrance of Yellowstone

West Yellowstone - Borders the west entrance of Yellowstone

Idaho Falls, ID - 108 miles, 1 hour and 45 minutes

Bozeman, MT - 78 miles, 1 hour and 25 minutes

Casper, WY - 267 miles, 4 hours and 40 minutes

Salt Lake City, UT - 320 miles, 4 hours, and 50 minutes

Boise, ID -  340 miles, 5 hours and 10 minutes

Estimated Distance from nearby National Park

The road through Yellowstone is closed for the winter. 

Grand Teton National Park - 65 miles

Glacier National Park - 366 miles

Arches National Park - 557 miles

Canyonlands National Park - 563 miles

Bryce Canyon National Park - 587 miles

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - 541 miles 

Where are the Yellowstone National Park Visitor Centers?

Albright visitor center.

Location - Located in the northern part of the park near Mammoth Hot Springs

Canyon Visitor Education Center

Location - Location near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. 

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center and Trailside Museum

Location - The Fishing Bridge Museum and Visitor Center is located one mile off the Grand Loop Road on the East Entrance Road. 

Flagg Ranch Information Station

Location - The Flagg Ranch Information Station is located in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway

Grant Visitor Center

Location - The Grant Visitor Center is located on the western shore of Yellowstone Lake, a short distance south of the West Thumb Geyser Basin. 

Madison Information Center and Trailside Museum

Location - halfway between Old Faithful and West Yellowstone

Museum of the National Park Ranger

Location -  The Museum of the National Park Ranger is located off the Grand Loop Road at the entrance to the Norris Campground.

Norris Geyser Basin Museum and Information Center

Location - On the trail within Norris Geyser Basin. 

Old Faithful Visitor Education Center

Location - Near Old Faithful Geyser

This large visitor education center has a great windowed view of the geyser. There is a nice park store, natural wonders of Yellowstone exhibit hall, restrooms, and rangers available to answer questions. 

West Thumb Information Center

Location - West Thumb Geyser Basin

West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center

Location - Located in West Yellowstone near the entrance to the park.

This visitor center includes NPS Park Rangers who can answer questions specific to the park. There are also staff members for the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce who can answer questions about lodging and information on West Yellowstone.

Getting to Yellowstone National Park

Cody and Jackson, WY; Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID are close airports that are open year-round. The West Yellowstone, MT airport is serviced from June to early September from Salt Lake City, UT.

The Jackson, Wyoming airport is great! You can rent a car on-site and be in the park pretty quickly. On your way back home you can enjoy comfy leather couches, fireplaces, and a relaxing airport before flying out.

Commercial airlines serve the following airports near Yellowstone National Park all year: Cody and Jackson, WY; Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID.

Yellowstone Airport (WYS)

Located in West Yellowstone just outside of the park. This airport is open from early May to mid-October from Salt Lake City, UT.

Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD)

Located in Cody, Wyoming. Delta and United offer year-round flights to this airport. One thing to know is the east entrance to the park closes in the winter. 

When making a reservation make sure to confirm if you are flying into Yellowstone Airport or Yellowstone Regional Airport. 

Jackson Hole Airport - JAC

Jackson Hole Airport is located within Grand Teton National Park just south of Yellowstone.

Alaska, American, Delta, and United Airlines all offer year-round flights to and from Jackson Hole. 

Allegiant, Frontier, and Sun Country Airlines offer direct flights between Jackson Hole and Denver in the summer months only.

International Airports

Salt Lake City International Airport - SLC

Regional Airports

Idaho Falls Regional Airport - IDA

Cody, Wyoming

Bozeman, Montana

Billings, Montana

There are five main entrances to the park. These are open depending on weather conditions.

Be prepared that your GPS may not work correctly within the park. Bring a paper map and pick up current maps from the visitor center when you arrive at the park.

For current road conditions call (307) 344-2117

Entrances to Yellowstone National Park

West entrance .

The West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park is open during the summer only from Mid-April to early November. 

Winter access is only open by a commercially guided snow coach or snowmobile.

Closest City - West Yellowstone 

Closest Airport - West Yellowstone Airport (WYS)

The West Yellowstone Airport is located one mile north of West Yellowstone. It is open from Mid-May to early October and served by SkyWest Airlines (Delta Connection).

Bozeman Airport is 90 miles north of the west entrance.

Idaho Falls Airport is 110 miles south of the west entrance. 

North Entrance

Closest City - Gardiner, Montana

Closest Airport - Bozeman (BZN)

Northeast Entrance

Closest City - Cooke City, Montana

Closest airport - Billings-Logan International Airport (BIL)

The northeast entrance is not only the gateway to Yellowstone but also on the most scenic drive in America the Beartooth Highway.

Traveling the Beartooth Highway takes you through the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains

Closest Bus Station to Yellowstone

Bus service from Bozeman, MT to West Yellowstone, MT via Highway 191 is available all year.

Bus service directly from Idaho to West Yellowstone is limited to the summer months.

Commercial transportation from Bozeman, MT to Gardiner, MT is available during the winter and summer seasons.

Commercial transportation to the park from Cody and Jackson, WY is available during the summer season. 

Closest Train Station to Yellowstone

Train service is not available to Yellowstone National Park.

The nearest train depots are in southeast Idaho, Salt Lake City, Utah, and northern Montana.

Best time to visit Yellowstone National Park

The best time to visit Yellowstone is any time you can make it to the park. Every season in the park brings the opportunity to see something amazing.

Yellowstone National Park Weather and Seasons

During spring the roads start to open to visitors starting the third Friday of April.

Spring visitors to Yellowstone can enjoy wildlife viewing including bison calves, black bears emerging from their dens, spring birds, and wildflowers breaking through any remaining snow.

Visitation increases as the days move closer to Memorial Day. All roads within the park are open most years by Memorial Day weekend.

Summer is by far the busiest visitation within Yellowstone NP. More than half of the annual visitors visit the park between June, July, and August.

Starting from Memorial Day weekend visitation increases for the remainder of the summer.

The highlight of visiting during the summer is all of the roads are open and services are available including all of the lodges and campgrounds.

Early in the summer bears are visible as they are enjoying roadside meadows and emerging from dens. Later in the summer, they will start to move to higher elevations.

Bison Rut starts in July and can be seen in Lamar and Hayden Valleys. 

One thing to know about late summer is there is a chance of wildfire smoke obscuring views and making it hard to see anything. 

Visiting Yellowstone during the summer takes planning and a lot of patience! You want to plan to arrive to the park entrances as early as you can! 

By 9 am you could be in a long line just trying to get into the park. 

One benefit of visiting in the summer is the longer days. Plan to stay late to avoid crowds. A lot of visitors will head out to West Yellowstone and surrounding areas for dinner leaving the park easier to explore.

From 10 am to 3 pm the main park attractions of Old Faithful , Grand Prismatic Springs , Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Norris Geyser Basin are crowded and then some!

Plan to visit other attractions like Black Sand Basin , Biscuit Basin , Mud Volcano , and Firehole Lake Drive during the busiest parts of the day. This is also a great time to enjoy a picnic in the park.

Autumn/Fall

Starting in September campgrounds will start to close and some roads may experience temporary weather closures.

Elk are in rut during the Fall which is amazing to see. Listening to an elk bugle is a true National Park bucket list moment.

By October many park roads will begin closing for the winter season. This date can change based on the weather.

Both Dunraven Pass and Beartooth Highway normally close by mid-October. 

By November the park has started winter travel restrictions for all areas except Mammoth. 

During the winter most of the roads within Yellowstone are closed to automobiles.

The roads are open to limited snowmobile and snow coach travel from mid-December through mid-March.

The only road that is open for visitors to drive their own vehicles is between the North and Northeast entrance through Lamar Valley.

Most park facilities are closed in the winter. The only lodging open is Mammoth Hot Springs Lodge and Old Faithful Snow Lodge.

The only campground in the park open year-round is in Mammoth Hot Springs, located 5 miles south of the park's North Entrance.

Visitors in the winter can enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snow coach tours, wildlife watching, and a winter wonderland.

Visitation is low during the winter making it feel like you have the park to yourself. 

Best Things to do in Yellowstone National Park

It is physically impossible to see all of Yellowstone in a day! In fact, a week will go by fast in this amazing park with so many opportunities for outdoor recreation. Remember the size of the park, throw in over 200 miles of roads, 900 miles of trails, and fight to get to attractions as Yellowstone has more annual visitors than the population of 24 of the 50 states in America. 

The most visited areas of the park include Old Faithful Geyser, Midway Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geyser Basin , Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,  West Thumb Geyser Basin, the standing trunk of a petrified redwood tree, about 50 million years old, Mammoth Hot Springs, Fountain Paint Pots , and Morning Glory Pool.

Millions of park visitors come to Yellowstone each year, the number one thing on their bucket list to do is go to the Upper Geyser Basin and see Old Faithful erupt in a predictable fashion.

Of course, Yellowstone is filled with geysers and people explore all through the Upper Geyser Basin plus Biscuit Basin, Black  Sand Basin, midway geyser basin, Norris Geyser Basin, and West Thumb Geyser Basin.

Yellowstone is America's Serengeti. It is here that you will see one of America's healthiest ecosystems with incredible wildlife viewing opportunities. Some of the best places to view wildlife include Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley . With that being said we always suggest keeping your camera in your lap because you never know what wildlife you will see as you drive through the park. 

Bring your patience when visiting Yellowstone. What draws visitors to the park-like yourself, is the outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities which include Elk, Bison, wolves, Grizzly, and Black Bears. With wildlife this abundant, it is guaranteed to create traffic jams going from one location to another. Remember that for most park visitors, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event and they are just as excited as you are. 

Yellowstone is the core of one of the last, nearly intact, natural ecosystems in the Earth’s temperate zone.

Picturesque Mammoth Hot Springs is located just south of the north entrance of the park. Make sure to take time and walk through the boardwalks and get close to this amazing feature! Wildlife is often seen hanging out in the lawn areas including elk and bison.

Just remember to enjoy these animals from a distance as they are still wild animals.

Take advantage of the park's 900 miles of trails! Besides nothing is better than stretching your legs after a long road trip.

Make sure to stay on designated footpaths as these geysers, pools, mud pots, and vents are heated water and can cause severe injuries and even death.

Remember that Yellowstone is an active volcano, some call it a supervolcano! The 1000-3000 earthquakes a year, active ground deformation, and the 10,000+ thermal features are all evidence of its activity.

There are many beautiful waterfalls within Yellowstone but nothing more famous than Yellowstone Falls. Not only are the falls huge but so is this canyon!  I found myself just staring in amazement.

What are you waiting for, start planning that trip to Yellowstone! It is the one you and your family will always remember.

There is so much to see and do and a week is not enough to see it all. You also have the Grand Teton National Park just South of Yellowstone which is just as spectacular and has just as many recreational opportunities! 

Junior Ranger Program 

The Junior Ranger Program can be picked up at the park visitor centers. This program is a fantastic way for visitors of all ages to learn more about the park. 

There is a special snowflake patch for completing the winter Junior Ranger program. 

Yellowstone allows bicycles and e-bikes on established public roads, parking areas, and designated bike routes. 

All bikes are subject to the same traffic rules as automobiles. Bikes are prohibited on backcountry trails, boardwalks, and over snow routes in Yellowstone.

If you don't want to haul your bike with you to the park you can rent them at Old Faithful. 

During the spring visitors can ride 49 miles between the West Entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs. The park plows the road but it is not open to motorized vehicles for a limited time. 

Check the  Spring and Fall Bicycling  page for road segment status.

There are designated bike trails within the park including the Abandoned Railroad Bed Bike trail, Bunsen Peak Loop Bike Trail, The Old Gardiner Road Bike Trail, Fountain Freight Road Bike Trail, Lone Star Geyser Bike Trail, and Natural Bridge Bike trail.

Bike trails range from 1-6 hours in duration. 

Guided Tours

From West Yellowstone - Park Tour with a local guide

Discover the stunning natural beauty the flora and fauna in Yellowstone National Park with this tour from West Yellowstone. See sights like Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon waterfalls, and Artist Point.

From West Yellowstone - Lamar Valley Wildlife Tour by Van

See the wildlife of the Lamar Valley with a naturalist guide. Watch wildlife with high-powered spotting scopes and binoculars from the comfort of a van.

From West Yellowstone - Lower Loop Active Van Tour

See Yellowstone's hot spots by van with a naturalist guide. Visit Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Lake half day guided kayak tour - Enjoy a relaxed morning with a guided kayaking tour along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. Look for local wildlife as you make your way over sparkling waters towards the West Thumb Geyser Basin.

Guided sunset lake kayaking tour - Paddle the glassy waters of Yellowstone Lake and see the awash in sunset tones on this guided kayak tour.

From Jackson - Day tour with entrance fee included

Join a local guide for an amazing day in the world's first national park, home of grizzly bears, elk, bison, wolves, eagles, foxes, and 60% of the world's geothermal features. Stop at Old Faithful, Grand Canyon waterfalls, and other geyser areas.

From Jackson - Park and Wildlife Viewing Tour

Explore Yellowstone National Park on a guided day tour. Visit Old Faithful, the Lower Falls of Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and enjoy opportunities for wildlife viewing throughout the day.

From Jackson - Full Day Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour

Spend a day exploring Yellowstone's Lower Loop, departing and returning from Jackson. Visit the Old Faithful Area, Midway Geyser Basin, Fountain Paint Pots, the Canyon Area, Hayden Valley, and more.

From Gardner - Yellowstone River Whitewater Rafting Trip

Feel the rush as you raft through rapids, crash over waves and conquer the Yellowstone River. Travel in a raft with a certified safety guide.

From Cody - Full day park tour

Experience the beauty of Yellowstone on this tour from Cody. Visit top sights like the historic Fishing Bridge, the bubbling Mud Volcano, Hayden Valley, Artist’s Point, and Old Faithful.

Hiking at Yellowstone National Park

There are more than 900 miles of hiking trails within Yellowstone National Park. 

Heading out on a day hike does not require a permit. You do want to make sure you have the ten essentials and someone knows where you are headed.

One thing to always remember when planning to hike in Yellowstone is the park is 7,000 feet above sea level. 

Many areas of the park will still have snow until late May and into early June. 

Make sure to check with a visitor center for current trail conditions and closures. Many areas of the park can be closed for bear management.

Hiking in Yellowstone is hiking in bear country! Bringing bear spray with you is always a good idea. 

Wildlife in Yellowstone

Yellowstone is home to numerous species of mammals including the gray wolf (reintroduced species), and the grizzly (threatened species). Other mammals include bison, black bear, mountain lion, elk, deer, pronghorn antelope, mountain goat, and Bighorn Sheep.

The park has well over 1000 native plants in Yellowstone including wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and plants. 

How to beat the crowds in Yellowstone National Park?

The majority of visitors come to Yellowstone from June through August. Holidays and weekends in the Spring and fall are offer very full as well. Winter has far fewer visitors. Try going on weekdays in the spring and fall and if possible, visit in the early morning or late afternoon, when there are fewer tour buses.

On peak days, in July and August, as many as 25,000 people wait for the famous geyser, Old Faithful, to erupt.

Where to stay when visiting Yellowstone National Park

When planning where to stay while vacationing in Yellowstone you will want to determine which area of the park you are planning to visit.

We suggest if possible staying at a few different lodging options to provide easy access to different portions of the park. 

Yellowstone National Park Lodging

There are nine National Park Lodges located within the park offering over 2,000 rooms. 

Only two lodges are open during the winter - Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

From late spring through fall all of the lodges are open. 

  • Canyon Lodge and Cabins : 400+ guest rooms spread across 5 hotel-style lodges, with 100+ cabins being more rustic accommodations. Available to book on Expedia
  • Grant Village Lodge: 300 guest rooms spread across 6 two-story, hotel-style lodges. Available to book on Expedia
  • Lake Hotel and Cabins : Large lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations. Available to book on Expedia
  • Lake Lodge Cabins :  186 cabins.
  • Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins :  Large lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations.
  • Old Faithful Inn : Rustic lodge with hotel room-style accommodations. Available to book on Expedia
  • Old Faithful Lodge :  Cabin accommodations.
  • Old Faithful Snow Lodge : Large lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations. Available to book on Expedia
  • Roosevelt Lodge:  Cabin accommodations.

Lodging near Yellowstone NP

Gray Wolf Inn & Suites in West Yellowstone - 3-star hotel. Gray Wolf Inn & Suites is located close to Yellowstone Park West Entrance, and provides a firepit, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour gym. Adventurous travelers may like the snowmobiling at this hotel. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Free in-room Wi-Fi and a business center are available to all guests.

Stage Coach Inn in West Yellowstone - Yellowstone Park West Entrance is located near Stage Coach Inn, which provides free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. For some rest and relaxation, visit the sauna. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a gym and a 24-hour business center.

Yellowstone Westgate Hotel in West Yellowstone - At Yellowstone Westgate Hotel, you can look forward to free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Free in-room Wi-Fi and a business center are available to all guests.

Brandin' Iron Inn in West Yellowstone - Brandin' Iron Inn is located close to Yellowstone Park West Entrance, and provides free full breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. Skiers and snowboarders can spend time on the slopes at this motel offering ski-in/ski-out access and cross-country skiing. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Kelly Inn West Yellowstone - Close to Yellowstone Park West Entrance, Kelly Inn West Yellowstone provides free continental breakfast, a free roundtrip airport shuttle, and a firepit. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Free in-room WIFI is available to all guests, along with laundry facilities and a business center.

Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel near Gardiner, MT- Along with self parking, this campground has coffee/tea in a common area and a microwave in a common area. Free continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi in public areas are also provided. Additionally, concierge services, a garden, and barbecue grills are onsite. All 17 accommodations boast heated floor (bathroom) and offer Wi-Fi and 8 bathrooms. Other amenities available to guests include memory foam beds, premium bedding, and rainfall showerheads. Private bathrooms are not ensuite.

Absaroka Lodge near Gardiner, MT- Absaroka Lodge provides amenities like a terrace and a garden. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

Yellowstone Big Rock Inn near Gardiner, MT- Yellowstone Big Rock Inn provides a garden and more. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

Super 8 by Wyndham Gardiner near Gardiner, MT- Super 8 by Wyndham Gardiner/Yellowstone Park Area provides dry cleaning/laundry services and more. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Yellowstone Gateway Inn near Gardiner, MT- 3-star hotel near Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone Gateway Inn provides amenities like a garden and laundry facilities. Treat yourself to a massage or other spa services. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi.

Yellowstone National Park Camping

There are over 2,000 campsites within Yellowstone spread among 12 campgrounds. 

The only campground that is open year-round is Mammoth Campground. 

The majority of campgrounds within the park open in May and close in late fall. 

Five of these campgrounds are managed by the concessionaire who manages the Yellowstone Lodges. Reservations are handled through the concessionaire. 

  • Bridge Bay Campground
  • Canyon Campground
  • Fishing Bridge RV Park
  • Grant Village Campground
  • Madison Campground

The National Park Service managed seven of the campgrounds. Reservations are handled through Recreation.gov

  • Mammoth Campground (Reservable)
  • Norris Campground
  • Slough Creek Campground (Reservable)
  • Pebble Creek Campground (Sites 1-16 Reservable)
  • Tower Fall Campground
  • Indian Creek Campground
  • Lewis Lake Campground

Backcountry Camping

The process for reserving backcountry campsites and obtaining backcountry permits has changed for 2022.

Early Access Lottery - Reservation applications will be accepted beginning in March 1 to the 20th, 2022 on Recreation.gov

Advanced Reservations - On April 26, remaining permits for open campsites will be available on Recreation.gov . Reservations must be made at least 3-days prior to the start date of a trip.

Walk-Up Permits - Walk-up backcountry permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis in person at a Yellowstone Backcountry Office. Hikers can obtain these permits up to 2-days prior to the start date of your trip.

Walk-up Permits cannot be issued over the phone or online through Recreation.gov.

Back Country Permit Fees

Early Access Lottery Application Fee:  $10 non-refundable. The application fee is charged for all applications to the Early Access Lottery regardless of success.

Recreation Fee:  $5 per person, per night plus a $10 reservation fee. The recreation fee is charged year-round for permits secured through Recreation.gov or in-person at a backcountry office.

The $10 reservation fee is charged for all permits except those acquired during the Early Access Lottery.

Permits are required year-round for all overnight stays in Yellowstone's backcountry. A backcountry permit allows the permit holder and group members to camp in a designated location.

Yellowstone maintains 293 designated backcountry campsites. 

Each designated campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night.

The maximum stay per campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip.

A list and map of campsites can be found in the  Backcountry Trip Planner  and the online  Backcountry Trails and Campsites map .

For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans . These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss! 

Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, Chicago, New York, and Orlando

Travel Tips

Be prepared for CROWDS!!!

Have a hit list and plan of attack for what you want to see in the park. There is a lot of driving and construction in Yellowstone

Know your game plan and have a backup plan for weather, construction, too many people

Download the Geyser App for Yellowstone so you know Old Faithfu l times and don't miss it by a few minutes and have to wait an hour

Pack snacks and water

Dress in layers

If you want to stay at a Yellowstone lodge make your reservations as far in advance as you can. Many dates sell out a year in advance.

Know you will see more Bison than you can imagine. Don't worry about getting the perfect shot when you see the first one.

Be careful! Be aware of your surroundings.

Be bear aware, practice bear safety

Ask people what they are looking at when you see them pulled over or standing staring in one direction. It will make it a lot easier to see great wildlife.

Use the bathroom when you see it. The park is huge and it can take time to get to the next bathroom.

Go early in the morning and stay late in the evening to decrease the crowds you have to deal with.

Have a full tank of gas when you enter the park.

The park is a high elevation park. Be prepared for weather changes

Check weather and road conditions before you head into the park. Check for updates on Facebook and Twitter from the park and also on the website.

Be prepared to wait in road construction. I know we said it already but really be prepared! You could spend 20-40 minutes staring at the back of an RV or looking at the same trees.

Give yourself as much time as possible to explore the park! While you can drive the entire park in a day it will be a long day and you may not see as much as you want too.

Research the times for Old Faithful during your visit. This will help prevent having to wait for an hour or more to see Old Faithful

If you plan on visiting Yellowstone Falls try and get there early in the day. During the afternoon, the sun is directly behind the falls making it really hard to photograph.

Keep your camera ready during your drive through the park. You never know when a bear or other wildlife will appear.

If you are vegetarian the black bean burger at the grills inside the park is great.

Pack extra camera batteries and smart cards. You will take more pictures than you plan on

Be careful pulling off on the side of the road. In some areas, the dips are a lot bigger than you expect them to be. In the Lamar Valley , there can be quite a drop on the side of the road. If you have a low clearance vehicle be very careful.

Be prepared for road construction while driving through the park. You can be delayed for a few minutes to a lot longer.

Check your gas tank while near the few gas stations in the park. The gas stations are pretty spread out so make sure you have enough gas to get from one area of the park to the next.

Bug spray is your friend! Make sure you have some with you.

Yellowstone National Park information

How did yellowstone get its name.

Yellowstone National Park is named after the Yellowstone River which runs through the park. 

The river was named by the Minnetaree Indians who called it Mi tse a-da-zi, or Yellow Rock River. 

This name was passed on to French trappers who called it Roche Jaune and then later changed by American trappers to Yellow Stone. 

For those who enjoy spirits, the gift stores in Yellowstone carry a Bourbon that is only sold in their stores. It is Roche Jaune Whiskey. This is a very good bourbon, in fact, I get emails from visitors every year asking how they can get another bottle. Make sure to check out my article  Spirits inspired by the National Parks . 

How big is Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined!

The park covers 3, 472 miles including 1,000 miles of trails, 52 picnic areas, 900 historic buildings, and 290 waterfalls. 

Is Yellowstone the largest National Park?

No! Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska is the largest park unit with over 13 million acres. 

What is the highest peak in Yellowstone?

The highest peak in the park is Eagle Peak in the southeastern part of the park at 11,358 feet.

Can you swim in Yellowstone rivers, lakes, or hydrothermal?

Swimming is not really recommended in the lakes or streams because they are COLD!

Firehole Canyon near Madison Junction has a popular swimming area in the summer.

Soaking in any thermal features is illegal and really dangerous!

The only exception to this is the Boiling River north of Mammoth Hot Springs where a large hot spring enters the Gardner River. This area has a mixing of hot and cool waters that make it comfortable to soak in.

How many Geysers are in Yellowstone?

There are more than 10,000 hydrothermal features in the park. Of these hydrothermal, there are 500 geysers with 300 active geysers. 

Over half of all the world's geysers are found in Yellowstone.

When does Old Faithful erupt?

Each eruption prediction is based on the last eruption so times vary by the day.

The average eruption is every 92 minutes. 

Yellowstone National Park Facts

Size - 3,472 square miles

Trails - over 1,000 miles of trails

Picnic areas - 52

Historic buildings - 900

Waterfalls - 290

Hydrothermal Features - 10,000

Geysers - 500, 300 of them are active 

National Parks near Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Craters of the Moon National Monument 

Timpanogos Cave National Monument  

Fossil Butte National Monument

Golden Spikes National Historic Site  

City of Rocks National Reserve

Check out all of the great  National Parks in Wyoming  along with neighboring  Colorado National Parks ,  Idaho National Parks ,  National Parks in Utah ,  Nevada National Parks ,  Arizona National Parks , and  New Mexico National Parks . 

Epic Guide to Yellowstone National Park

TOP STORIES

News and analysis from the day’s top stories., pierce brosnan pleads guilty to going into an off-limits area of yellowstone national park.

travel blogs yellowstone national park

By Clarissa-Jan Lim

Pierce Brosnan has pleaded guilty to going in an off-limits area of Yellowstone National Park, reversing his earlier plea of not guilty after he received two federal citations.

The 70-year-old actor was accused of committing two petty offenses — “foot travel in all thermal areas and w/in Yellowstone Canyon confined to trails” and “violating closures and use limits” — at the park in Wyoming last fall.

According to court documents filed in U.S. District Court, Brosnan pleaded guilty Thursday to the foot travel offense and the other citation was dismissed.

The James Bond actor must pay a $500 fine and make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization that runs educational programs in the national park and raises money for it.

In an Instagram post Thursday, Brosnan apologized for making an “impulsive mistake,” writing:

As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world. However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a “No Trespassing” sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area. I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. #StayOnThePath

On or about Nov. 1, Brosnan posted photos on Instagram showing him standing on a Yellowstone thermal feature, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Wyoming. The photos appear to have since been deleted.

“There are signs posted in the area that warn visitors of the dangers of thermal features and state that visitors must remain on the designated boardwalks and trails,” the U.S. attorney’s office said in a news release .

At the time, Brosnan had been filming a new Western, “The Unholy Trinity,” at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana, NBC Montana reported .

Brosnan is far from the first person to violate National Park Service rules at Yellowstone, where many dangerous — even deadly — incidents involving hot springs have occurred. The park’s hot springs can reach up to 345 degrees Fahrenheit and geysers can erupt suddenly, spraying boiling hot water and steam into the air.

Clarissa-Jan Lim is a breaking/trending news blogger for MSNBC Digital. She was previously a senior reporter and editor at BuzzFeed News.

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Pierce Brosnan pleads guilty in Yellowstone case, admits he stepped off trail in national park thermal area

Pierce brosnan ventured into an off-limits section of yellowstone park in november.

Pierce Brosnan hopes everyone can be kinder in 2024

Pierce Brosnan hopes everyone can be kinder in 2024

Pierce Brosnan hopes people can be a little bit kinder to each other in the new year.

Pierce Brosnan pleaded guilty Thursday to stepping off a trail in a thermal area during a visit to Yellowstone National Park on Nov. 1, 2023.

According to The Associated Press, Pierce phoned into the court hearing to enter his plea and hear his fines. 

The actor was fined $500 and instructed to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization created to support the national park, by April 1.

PIERCE brosnan

Pierce Brosnan pleaded guilty Thursday to stepping off a trail in a thermal area during a visit to Yellowstone National Park on Nov. 1, 2023. (Getty Images)

Brosnan's petty offense for violating closures and use limits was dismissed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick on Thursday.

PIERCE BROSNAN HEADING TO COURT AFTER ‘VIOLATING CLOSURES’ AT YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Brosnan took to Instagram after his guilty plea to share that he considers himself an "environmentalist" who has the "utmost respect for and love of our natural world."

"However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph," Brosnan added. "I did not see a ‘No Trespassing’ sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area."

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Pierce Brosnan (@piercebrosnanofficial)

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The actor shared his apologies for "trespassing in this sensitive area."

"Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy. #StayOnThePath ," Brosnan concluded his message.

Prior to Brosnan's guilty plea, the actor's attorney appeared in court on his behalf on Jan. 4 to enter a not guilty plea . 

His attorney filed a waiver of appearance at arraignment and requested a trial. On Jan. 10, a notice was posted vacating Brosnan's originally scheduled Jan. 23 hearing.

Pierce Brosnanat the premiere of Black Adam

In January, Brosnan pleaded not guilty. (Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Brosnan, 70, was cited for "foot travel in all thermal areas and w/in Yellowstone Canyon confined to trails" and "violating closures and use limits," according to the U.S. District Court of Wyoming docket.

Brosnan's citations, which were listed as petty offenses, were issued to the "Mrs. Doubtfire" actor on Nov. 1 but not filed in court until Dec. 26, Fox News Digital previously confirmed.

An entrance sign for Yellowstone National Park

Brosnan visited Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Nov. 1, 2023. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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The rules for Yellowstone National Park's thermal areas include, "Do not travel through thermal areas after dark."

They additionally state that "stock are not permitted in thermal areas," "altering or putting objects in thermal features is prohibited" and "swimming, soaking or bathing in waters that are entirely of thermal origin is prohibited."

Yellowstone National Park features over 500 active geysers.

Close up of Pierce Brosnan

Brosnan was fined $500 and instructed to make a $1,000 donation to Yellowstone Forever, a nonprofit organization created to support the national park, by April 1. (Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)

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"In thermal areas, the ground may be only a thin crust above boiling hot springs , and there is no way to guess where a safe path is," the park's website states.

"New hazards can bubble up overnight, and pools are acidic enough to burn through boots, so you must stay in designated walking areas. The park service has established boardwalks for an easy and safe approach to thermal features."

A recent incident illustrates just how dangerous the park's thermal areas can be.

Pierce Brosnan movie premiere

Brosnan's petty offense for violating closures and use limits was dismissed in court Thursday. (Getty Images)

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Federal prosecutors charged a Michigan man with off-trail travel in a Yellowstone National Park thermal area and being under the influence of drugs and alcohol after he sustained thermal burns in August. He has been banned from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks until the criminal charges are resolved, according to a press release.

Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

Janelle Ash is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital.

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Yellowstone: Assessment Identifies 7 Priority Opportunities to Reduce Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions

“The assessment lays exciting groundwork for establishing wildlife connectivity and ensuring pronghorn and other animals safely reach critical wintering grounds outside of Yellowstone National Park" - NPCA Volgenau Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Fellow Pat Todd

LIVINGSTON, Montana — Yellowstone Safe Passages today released a comprehensive assessment of wildlife-vehicle collisions along US Highway 89 between Livingston and Gardiner, Montana. The assessment proposes potential solutions to wildlife-vehicle collisions on a stretch of highway where 50% of all reported crashes are wildlife related—which is five times the state average and 10 times the national average. These collisions have cost the public a conservative estimate of $32 million in vehicle damage over the past 10 years.

US 89 extends the length of Paradise Valley and the Gardiner Basin, connecting drivers to Yellowstone National Park. Wildlife traverse the valley, often having to cross US 89 to reach habitat to the east, west, and south, including Yellowstone National Park. Drivers have hit bison, grizzly bears, elk, deer, moose, and more. These interactions impact area wildlife’s ability to move across the landscape and pose a serious threat to human safety and local livelihoods.

Yellowstone Safe Passages, a locally led effort to increase safety for motorists, teamed up with the Bozeman-based Center for Large Landscape Conservation and Montana State University’s Western Transportation Institute to conduct the highway assessment.

Additional members of Yellowstone Safe Passages include representatives from the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, National Parks Conservation Association, Park County Environmental Council, and The Common Ground Project.

The recently published US 89 Wildlife & Transportation Assessment details the results of their study, and provides recommendations for possible solutions that could reduce the number of animals struck each year and make the highway safer for drivers.

Daniel Anderson from The Common Ground Project originally convened the partnership in 2019 to explore what could be done about the issue. “For decades, locals have understood that striking wildlife with our vehicles is a costly and dangerous problem. What seemed to be missing was a community-led effort to raise awareness and look to solutions. Since our founding, Yellowstone Safe Passages has gathered an impressive cross-section of partners, and our process is working,“ said Anderson, who grew up in Paradise Valley.

More than 10 years of data from multiple agencies was provided for analysis in the assessment. In addition, residents participated as citizen scientists using a smartphone app to record observations of live or dead wildlife along US 89. During that same three-year span, Yellowstone Safe Passages employed Michelle Zizian as a field technician to travel the highway on a weekly basis to collect additional data and to verify and confirm the observations made by citizen scientists. This effort yielded a detailed record of wildlife-vehicle collisions that not only enhanced, but ground-truthed the larger agency datasets.

“It’s been a real struggle seeing the sheer number of dead wildlife along the highway, especially the rare species or newborn animals just trying to figure out their place in the world. Those I’ll never forget. Hopefully the data we’ve collected will lead to fewer accidents and better long-term solutions for wildlife in the valley,” said Zizian.

The assessment overlays data on human safety, wildlife mortality from collisions, wildlife movement, and habitat connectivity to identify the most important areas along the highway for further evaluation by the researchers and an interagency technical team.

The assessment also evaluated all culverts along the highway to identify where improvements may be needed for fish passage. Co-benefits for terrestrial wildlife and infrastructure resilience to extreme weather events such as flooding were also evaluated.

Overall, the assessment identified seven priority sites and a suite of potential solutions for each one ranging from new overpasses and underpasses, to retrofits to existing structures, animal detection systems, and fencing.

Typically, infrastructure planning and execution processes span five years or more. Consequently, the assessment outlines short-term measures achievable within two to five years and longer-term solutions for each priority site.

“With unprecedented funding opportunities for wildlife crossings at the federal level, we hope this assessment will provide a strong foundation for decision-makers and community members to successfully pursue projects that improve safety for both people and wildlife,” said Center for Large Landscape Conservation Road Ecologist Liz Fairbank, who co-led the assessment.

For nearly 15 years, NPCA’s wildlife-friendly fencing program has helped restore pathways for Yellowstone Pronghorn migrating to winter range North of the park. However, due in part to their risk avoidance of trafficked roadways, pronghorn movement is primarily on the west side of highway US 89.

“The assessment lays exciting groundwork for establishing wildlife connectivity for park wildlife, ensuring pronghorn and other animals reach critical wintering grounds outside of Yellowstone National Park,” said NPCA Volgenau Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Fellow Pat Todd . “As a Yellowstone Safe Passage partner, NPCA supports long-term planning, collaboration, and 21st century solutions to support Montana’s conservation legacy.”

The comprehensive assessment is now accessible online. Yellowstone Safe Passages plans to share key findings to residents of Park County, Montana via community information sessions in the coming weeks. Should Yellowstone Safe Passages opt for wildlife accommodation initiatives, they may seek federal funding.

“Many other states have championed the work of wildlife crossing structures–like wildlife overpasses and underpasses–and are showcasing the power of collaboration and bipartisan support. When people come together, good things happen. No matter who you are, where you come from, what you drive, or who you vote for, wildlife-vehicle collisions affect us all. This is legacy work nearly everyone can get behind,” said Anderson.

For more information on the report and for details on Yellowstone Safe Passages’ upcoming community information sessions visit https://www.yellowstonesafepassages.org/highway-assessment . Funding for the assessment was provided by AMB West Conservation Fund, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and Yellowstone Safe Passages.

Yellowstone Safe Passages is a community of citizens who live, work, and play in the Upper Yellowstone Watershed. Our partners include state and federal agencies, park county elected officials, private foundations, community groups, conservation groups, anglers, and local landowners, business owners, and individuals who are working to enhance the safety of people and wildlife traveling along US 89. CONTACT: Daniel Anderson | [email protected] | 406.600.5767

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Pierce Brosnan apologises after court fines him for walking off Yellowstone trail

Citing court documents, it said the james bond actor had in november uploaded photos to instagram of himself "standing on a yellowstone national park thermal feature at mammoth hot springs", referring to the scenic area in the park's northern part. "there are signs posted in the area that warn visitors of the dangers of thermal features and state that visitors must remain on the designated boardwalks and trails," it said..

Pierce Brosnan apologises after court fines him for walking off Yellowstone trail

Actor Pierce Brosnan has said he deeply regrets walking off trail in Yellowstone National Park in the United States after he was fined by a court in Wyoming for getting too close to a thermal area.

Brosnan, 70, pleaded guilty to foot travel in a thermal area and was fined $500 and required to pay a $1,000 community service payment to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Fund, the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Wyoming, said on Thursday. Citing court documents, it said the James Bond actor had in November uploaded photos to Instagram of himself "standing on a Yellowstone National Park thermal feature at Mammoth Hot Springs", referring to the scenic area in the park's northern part.

"There are signs posted in the area that warn visitors of the dangers of thermal features and state that visitors must remain on the designated boardwalks and trails," it said. Walking off trail in such thermal areas can be perilous as the ground is fragile and the water extremely hot.

Posting on his Instagram page late on Thursday, Brosnan said he was "an environmentalist" who had "the utmost respect for and love of our natural world". "However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph. I did not see a 'No Trespassing' sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area," he wrote.

"I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy." He added #StayOnThePath.

Brosnan is known for playing the suave 007 agent in four James Bond films from 1995 to 2002 as well as for his roles in the "Mamma Mia" movies, "The Thomas Crown Affair" and most recently "Black Adam".

Pierce Brosnan apologises after fined for walking off trail in Yellowstone

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  29. Pierce Brosnan apologises after court fines him for walking off

    SHARE. Actor Pierce Brosnan has said he deeply regrets walking off trail in Yellowstone National Park in the United States after he was fined by a court in Wyoming for getting too close to a thermal area. Brosnan, 70, pleaded guilty to foot travel in a thermal area and was fined $500 and required to pay a $1,000 community service payment to the ...