Many consider it the jewel in the crown of the national park system. Yellowstone, America’s oldest national park, might be the iconic symbol of the entire national park system. Sweeping mountain views, ancient pine forests, the greatest concentration of wildlife in the lower 48, and the greatest concentration of geothermal activity of possibly anywhere in the world define this amazing environment. This is your guide to visiting Yellowstone.
For many, it is a once in a lifetime highlight to see herds of buffalo, lumbering grizzly bears, and bugling elk, all in the same place, all at the same time. If you have not yet enjoyed a trip to Yellowstone, it should be near the top of your list. Here you can find all of the information you need to begin planning your trip to Yellowstone National Park.
If you’re planning a national parks trip, consider purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass.
What Yellowstone is Known For
Yellowstone might be America’s most famous national park, and as such it has a pretty lofty reputation. The park is perhaps best known for its herds of bison (technically buffalo is an incorrect term), which at one point harbored the last 23 wild individuals in the United States.
Today, the estimated number of individuals is around 4,800, and bison are no longer considered a threatened species.
Alongside the bison herds, Yellowstone is renown for its geothermal activity, and the natural features that express that activity. Yellowstone is actually one of the largest super-volcanos in the world, and because of that volcanic activity, there are numerous hot springs, geysers, and other natural features throughout the park.
Old Faithful, named for the reliability of its eruptions, is the most famous geyser, and Grand Prismatic Spring is perhaps the most impressive of the park’s many hot springs. Beyond the headliners, there are hundreds of geysers, springs, and hot rivers to explore.
Planning a road trip? Check out our in depth road trip planning guide.
Why you should go
In my opinion, every American should visit Yellowstone at some point in their life. It is likely the most influential of the national parks historically. Being the first, it set the standard and the model of how national parks should look, and be operated.
Beyond that, it is a true American Icon. People travel from around the world to visit this natural wonder. And while we cannot see herds of bison numbering in the millions roaming the great plains, the sight of a bison herd grazing in an alpine meadow is truly a quintessential American image.
The Good
- The geysers and hot springs. There are very few places where you can see geothermal activity like this, and there is essentially nowhere you can see it in the density of Yellowstone. Beyond Old Faithful, there are tons of trails, paths, and viewpoints to see all the geothermal activity.
- The wildlife. Yellowstone is for my money the greatest ecosystem in the lower 48. There is nowhere else you can see bison, grizzly and black bears, elk, wolves, moose, and other large animals like you can at Yellowstone. Even better, you can frequently see it all from your car!
- The activities. Yellowstone and the surrounding ecosystem has near limitless outdoor recreation activities. You can find world class hiking and backpacking trails, awesome white water, fantastic mountain biking and rock climbing, and mountaineering all in the broader Yellowstone area.
The Bad
- The crowds. Yellowstone is awesome, but because it’s awesome, there are a lot of visitors. In the peak summer months of July and August, the place is packed even on weekdays. Good luck finding a park spot on a Saturday afternoon. There are ways around this, especially if you can visit in the slightly less busy months of September, June, or May.
- The remoteness. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting out there and really finding a remote destination; however, it can make it hard for most people to access. Even from the midwest, it will likely take most people at least 2 days to drive to Yellowstone each way, much more if you’re coming from further away. Beyond that, there aren’t really any major airports close by.
- The winter. Unless you like sub-zero temperatures and feet of snow, Yellowstone isn’t really a 4 season destination. Even if you were to visit in winter, you would find many services closed, and many roads inaccessible. Beyond traditional winter, Yellowstone’s spring comes late and fall ends early. The window for nice weather is short, which further funnels crowds into the nice weather window.
How Much Time to Spend in Yellowstone
To put it simply, there really isn’t a maximum amount of time to spend in Yellowstone; you’ll always be able to find more to do. However, the reality is most people cannot do that.
For most people, planning a one or two week trip, you could easily spend your entire week in and around Yellowstone. If you wanted to see the absolute barebones highlights, I think you could probably accomplish that in 2-3 days.
I would recommend at least 4 days, but really you can’t go wrong with more than that.
Best Time of Year for Visiting Yellowstone
Purely in terms of weather, the best months of year to visit Yellowstone are July and August. Expect highs in the 70’s with lows potentially dropping into the 30’s each night.
The second tier of months to visit include May, June, and September. With May, you need to be careful of snow and road closures. In each of these three months, you can expect highs in the 50’s and 60’s, with lows in the 20’s and 30’s. Snow is a real possibility in any of these months.
I personally would not visit Yellowstone between October and April. While you may get lucky with weather and get a nice week in October or April, your chances of warm, clear weather are much lower than the other months.
Snow will linger in the summer at higher elevations into summer, so you should expect to encounter snow if visiting in early or mid spring. October could be nice, but the likelihood of snow and cold weather is much higher than September, and the crowds will be much smaller already in September.
Weather being taken into consideration, and knowing the biggest crowds will be present in July and August, I think the best months to visit Yellowstone are June and September.
While June is one of the summer months, it is not quite the peak tourist season. There will be some crowds, and you may encounter a bit of snow at higher elevations, but I think it is a good balance with the good weather.
If I had no other considerations, I would go to Yellowstone in September. The crowds of summer are gone with the arrival of the school year. Those of you with school age kids may not be able to swing it at the start of a new school year, but if you can I think September is the ideal month to visit Yellowstone.
Bright sunny days with warm afternoons and crisp mornings, and smaller crowds than any of the summer months combine for the ideal time for a visit.
Considering hiking in bear country? Be sure you are prepared to be bear safe.
Top Things To Do
Visit the hot springs. There are many hot springs to see in the park, but the most beautiful is Grand Prismatic Spring. Walk the boardwalk above the scalding hot water, or see it from above by taking the overlook trail. Grand Prismatic too busy? There are seemingly endless spots to see hot springs around the park.
See the geysers. Np trip to Yellowstone is complete without a visit to Old Faithful, and it is a site to behold. That being said, it is crowded, and with the crowds, becomes a cramped spectacle. Get onto the trails and paths that go through the geyser fields to see some of them up close.
See the wildlife. If you spend a day or two driving around Yellowstone, you are very likely to see at least bison from the driver’s seat of your car. You also have a chance of seeing bison on the trail, I have seen bison on the trail yards away from Old Faithful.
Beyond bison, you have a chance of seeing moose, elk, and bear. Always be smart when around wildlife; give them space, and definitely do not feed wildlife. Read our article on bear safety for more in depth tips on being bear safe in nature.
Go for a hike. Yellowstone has over 900 miles of trails, so there should be something for everyone. Flat, paved trails right from the parking lot, gentle hikes through the woods, and strenuous mountain climbs are all on offer for the adventurous hiker. Check here for the best hiking trails in Yellowstone National Park.
Visit the other nearby parks. One of my favorite national parks in the country borders Yellowstone’s southern edge. Grand Teton National Park makes for a great day trip south from Yellowstone. Continue on to the mountain town of Jackson for some hiking, diner, or other adventure.
Raft some whitewater. Around all sides of Yellowstone there are awesome whitewater rafting opportunities. From the Snake River near Jackson, to the mighty Yellowstone River, there are numerous routes and skill levels to choose from. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend a whitewater rafting trip.
Here are a list of companies who offer rafting tours near Yellowstone:
Wild West Rafting: Yellowstone Whitewater River Rafting
Best hikes
Top Easy Hikes:
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Trail: 1.6 miles, 200 ft
Take a short walk over the Grand Prismatic Spring to see the remarkably bold colors from up close.
West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail: 1 mile, 60 ft
Walk along the short of mighty Yellowstone Lake among geysers, hot springs, and boiling mud pots. This short boardwalk will give you an awesome look at the parks geothermal activity.
Mystic Falls, Fairy Creek, and Little Firehole Loop: 3.5 miles, 600 ft
Take this short loop trail to see a combination of big sweeping views, geothermal activity, and a great waterfall, all included in only 3.5 miles.
Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful Observation Point Loop: 4.5 miles 400 ft
Go beyond Old Faithful and see many of the other geysers Yellowstone has to offer. From Old Faithful, take the trail up to the viewpoint for views over the geyser basin, and continue along the loop to see all sorts of geothermal activity.
Fairy Falls: 4.9 miles, 200 ft
Take a short hike to see the 200 foot tall Fairy Falls. On your way, see meadows, hot springs, and rivers.
Top Moderate Hikes:
Bunsen Peak: 4.4 miles, 1200 ft
Looking to bag a peak but want something easy? Bunsen Peak is a great option that won’t set your lungs on fire, and you still get great views of Yellowstone.
Beaver Ponds Loop Trail: 6 miles, 700 ft
Looking for a quieter trail with a chance of seeing wildlife? Beaver Ponds will take you through a mellower part of Yellowstone with good chances of seeing some of the park’s wildlife. Hike under high peaks through meadows and forest, and past small ponds.
Top Difficult Hikes:
Canyon Rim North Trail to Inspiration Point: 7.9 miles, 1100 ft
The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of the highlights of the park and deserves at least a stop off on your trip. Extend your visit and hike the north rim out to Inspiration Point for awesome views of the canyon.
Avalanche Peak Trail: 4.7 miles, 2000 ft
Climb one of Yellowstone’s high peaks by ascending Avalanche Peak. This is a very steep trail, and remember it is located at elevation, something to remember if you are coming from lower regions. See magnificent sweeping views from the summit.
Always be sure to follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles when in the outdoors.
Accessibility
Yellowstone strives to be an accessible destination for those with disabilities. While it is a wilderness destination with many older facilities, the park is making an effort to be accessible for all visitors. You will find that many trails and paths are smooth boardwalks, or are paved and smoothly graded. The park also provides audio/visual assistance for those requiring it. Learn more from the National Park Service website.
Top Tips
- Go for a drive. It might seem silly, but just going for a drive and stopping where you find something interesting can be a great way to experience Yellowstone. You may find great trails, awesome viewpoints, see wildlife along the road, or find a new spot to eat. Don’t limit yourself to one corner of the park.
- Visit Grand Teton National Park. Yellowstone is amazing, but if you have never been to Grand Teton, it is a must see. There are epic viewpoints along the road, and lots of short trails that will get you great views. Continue on to Jackson for some dining and shopping.
- Go beyond the paved areas. It is easy to stick to the highly trafficked parts of Yellowstone. They’re great, and there are a lot of them, but if you never get off the beaten path, you will miss out on what really makes Yellowstone great. The truly incredible thing about Yellowstone is the wilderness that provides a habit for the greatest ecosystem in the lower 48. Get away from the roads, and you will get a much better view of this magnificent ecosystem.
- Get out early. Especially in July and August, and definitely on weekends, get an early start. Parking is limited at many of the trailheads, so to even get a spot on busy days, get out in the mornings and beat the crowds.
Where to Stay
There are many lodging options in and around Yellowstone, so it can seem overwhelming trying to decide where to stay. Before you make a decision, you need to answer two questions for yourself.
Do you want to camp, or stay in a lodge/hotel?
Do you want to stay inside the park, or outside the park?
There are camping options inside and outside the park, and likewise, there are hotel options inside and outside the park. A national historic landmark, Old Faithful Inn would be my first choice of lodging.
My Must See Spots
- Old Faithful. Yes it’s touristy, yes it’s crowded, but it’s Old Faithful. You gotta see it.
- The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Not as famous as The Grand Canyon, but the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is still its own must see destination. With the mighty Yellowstone River crashing through it, there are numerous trails and overlooks to see the canyon. Spend a few minutes walking from your car, or hike a longer trail.
- Grand Prismatic Spring. It’s one of the iconic geothermal attractions in the park, and it really is incredible. The size totally caught me off guard when I saw it for the first time.
- Bison. I can’t give you a time or place of where to see bison (they’re animals, they do what they want), but a trip to Yellowstone with a bison sighting would be incomplete. Fortunately, they are everywhere, and you’ll likely see more than one just driving through the park.
- Drive the Beartooth Highway. Just to the north of Yellowstone lie the Beartooth Mountains, and crossing the Beartooth Mountains is the Beartooth Highway. It might sound weird to list a road as a must see destination, but believe me it’s worth it. Winding its way to over 10,000 feet above sea level, the highway climbs into an alpine environment rarely seen from a road. Sweeping bends and epic viewpoints make this road one of the best in North America.
Don’t be rude; always following basic etiquette when on trail.
If you haven’t visited Yellowstone, you rarely should make a trip out to Wyoming to see it. It is America’s oldest national park, and one our most iconic natural wonders.
Incredible wildlife, one of a kind geothermal features, alpine meadows and forests, all under jagged mountain peaks make Yellowstone an unbelievable destination.
Hopefully this guide at least inspired you and gave you a starting point for planning your visit. For more information on visiting Yellowstone, check out these other sites to continue planning your Yellowstone vacation.
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