Yellowstone National Park is a natural wonder that attracts millions of visitors each year. The park is home to a wide variety of landscapes, including hot springs, geysers, waterfalls, and a diverse array of wildlife. There are so many things to see and do in Yellowstone, that it can be hard to know where to start. In this article, we will explore 51 of the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park, along with some useful information to help you plan your trip.
Old Faithful Geyser:
Old Faithful is one of the most famous geysers in the world and it’s a must-see attraction in Yellowstone. The geyser erupts every 35-120 minutes and can reach heights of up to 185 feet.
Grand Prismatic Spring:
The Grand Prismatic Spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and one of the most colorful in the world. The spring’s vibrant colors are caused by the different types of bacteria that live in the water.
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone:
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a spectacular natural wonder that offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike along the rim or take a scenic drive to see the canyon.
The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River:
The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River is a beautiful waterfall that is 308 feet tall. Visitors can take a hike to the bottom of the falls for a closer look.
The Upper Geyser Basin:
The Upper Geyser Basin is home to the largest concentration of geysers in the world, including Old Faithful. Visitors can take a guided tour of the area to see the geysers and learn about their history.
The Norris Geyser Basin:
The Norris Geyser Basin is the oldest and hottest geyser basin in the park. Visitors can take a hike through the area and see the geysers and hot springs up close.
The Mammoth Hot Springs:
The Mammoth Hot Springs is a terraced hill of hot springs that offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the top of the hill for a closer look at the springs.
The Lamar Valley:
The Lamar Valley is known as the “Serengeti of North America” because of the large number of wildlife that can be found there. Visitors can take a wildlife safari to see bison, elk, wolves, and other animals.
The Tower-Roosevelt Area:
The Tower-Roosevelt area is a beautiful area of the park that offers great hiking and scenic drives. Visitors can see the Tower Fall, the Roosevelt Lodge, and other historic sites in the area.
The Hayden Valley:
The Hayden Valley is a beautiful valley that offers great wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can see bison, elk, and other animals as they graze in the valley.
The Mud Volcano Area:
The Mud Volcano Area is a unique area of the park that offers a variety of mud pots, mud volcanoes, and fumaroles. Visitors can take a hike through the area to see the mud features up close.
The Fairy Falls:
The Fairy Falls is a beautiful waterfall that is 197 feet tall. Visitors can take a hike to the base of the falls for a closer look.
The West Thumb Geyser Basin:
The West Thumb Geyser Basin is a beautiful area of the park that offers great wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can see geysers, hot springs, and other hydrothermal features.
The Midway Geyser Basin:
The Midway Geyser Basin is home to the largest hot spring in the world, the Grand Prismatic Spring, as well as the Excelsior Geyser. Visitors can take a boardwalk tour to see these and other hydrothermal features up close.
The Bechler River:
The Bechler River is a remote and pristine part of the park that offers great hiking and fishing opportunities. Visitors can take a hike along the river or fish for cutthroat trout.
The Firehole River:
The Firehole River is a great spot for fly fishing and offers opportunities to see a variety of wildlife. Visitors can take a guided fishing trip or hike along the river to see bison, elk, and other animals.
The Gibbon River:
The Gibbon River is a great spot for fishing and offers a variety of scenic views. Visitors can take a guided fishing trip or hike along the river to see Gibbon Falls and other natural features.
The Madison River:
The Madison River is a popular spot for fly fishing and offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a guided fishing trip or hike along the river to see Madison Falls and other natural features.
The Lewis River:
The Lewis River is a great spot for fishing and offers a variety of scenic views. Visitors can take a guided fishing trip or hike along the river to see Lewis Falls and other natural features.
The Snake River:
The Snake River is a great spot for fishing and offers a variety of scenic views. Visitors can take a guided fishing trip or hike along the river to see the Snake River Canyon and other natural features.
Yellowstone Lake:
Yellowstone Lake is the largest lake in the park and offers great boating and fishing opportunities. Visitors can take a boat tour of the lake or rent a boat to explore on their own.
The Yellowstone River:
The Yellowstone River is a great spot for fishing and offers a variety of scenic views. Visitors can take a guided fishing trip or hike along the river to see Yellowstone Falls and other natural features.
Mt. Washburn:
Mt. Washburn is a popular hiking destination that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the park.
Mt. Sheridan:
Mt. Sheridan is a popular hiking destination that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the park.
Mt. Stevenson:
Mt. Stevenson is a popular hiking destination that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the park.
The Mt. Woodring:
Mt. Woodring is a popular hiking destination that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the park.
Mt. Doane:
Mt. Doane is a popular hiking destination that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the park.
Mt. Holmes:
Mt. Holmes is a popular hiking destination that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the park.
Mt. Schurz:
Mt. Schurz is a popular hiking destination that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the park.
The Mt. Everts:
Mt. Everts is a popular hiking destination that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the park.
The Lamar Valley:
The Lamar Valley is a great spot for wildlife viewing and offers the opportunity to see bison, elk, wolves, and other animals in their natural habitat. Visitors can take a guided wildlife tour or drive along the valley to see the wildlife.
The Tower Fall:
Tower Fall is a beautiful waterfall that is easily accessible by car or by hiking. Visitors can take a short hike to the base of the falls or continue to the summit for panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
The Blacktail Plateau Drive:
The Blacktail Plateau Drive is a scenic drive that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a drive to see the Blacktail Plateau and the surrounding area.
The Uncle Tom’s Trail:
Uncle Tom’s Trail is a steep and strenuous hike that leads to the base of the Lower Falls. Visitors can take the hike to see the falls up close and personal.
The Artist’s Point:
Artist Point is a popular viewpoint that offers great views of the Lower Falls and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Visitors can take a hike to the viewpoint or drive to the overlook.
The Mammoth Hot Springs:
The Mammoth Hot Springs is a unique hydrothermal feature that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a walk around the terraces or take a guided tour to learn more about the springs.
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone:
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a spectacular natural feature that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a hike along the rim of the canyon or take a guided tour to learn more about the canyon.
The Norris Geyser Basin:
The Norris Geyser Basin is home to the tallest geyser in the park, Steamboat Geyser, as well as a variety of other hydrothermal features. Visitors can take a boardwalk tour to see the geysers and other features up close.
The Old Faithful Inn:
The Old Faithful Inn is a historic hotel that offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can take a tour of the hotel or stay overnight to enjoy the views.
The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center:
The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center is a great spot to learn more about the geysers and other hydrothermal features in the park. Visitors can take a tour or watch a film to learn more about geysers and how they formed.
Yellowstone National Park is a wonder of nature and offers a wide variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. From hiking and fishing to wildlife viewing and geyser watching, there is something for everyone in this beautiful park. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an adventure-filled trip, Yellowstone National Park is the perfect destination.
